Many people largely think of their teeth when they consider their dental health, but the truth is, your gums are equally as significant. Without healthy connective tissues, your teeth could become destabilized or dislodged, which is why periodontitis, or advanced gum disease, is the leading cause of permanent tooth loss in adults.
If your gums have begun to recede from your enamel, it’s only natural to question whether they can be repaired. Continue reading to learn more about why this happens and how your periodontist can help improve your condition!
What Are Receding Gums?
Would you be surprised to learn that sources estimate nearly half of U.S. American adults who are 30 years or older have some form of gum disease? Gingivitis, the earliest stage, often goes untreated because it doesn’t always exhibit noticeable symptoms until it starts to progress.
Unfortunately, once the infection reaches more advanced stages, your connective tissues start to pull away from your enamel to escape the disease. This leaves the roots unprotected, which can increase the likelihood of developing decay, sustaining injuries, or experiencing sensitivity or toothaches. If you wait too long to seek help, you might also eventually lose one or more teeth.
Can Receding Gums Grow Back?
Typically, once your gums have receded to a certain point, they won’t grow back. That means you’ll need your periodontist’s help to address your condition and help restore your connective tissues.
There are several potential treatment options, but gum grafting is one of the most reliable and effective solutions. For this procedure, your provider takes additional tissues from other areas of your mouth or palate, or uses donated tissues, and strategically places them to rebuild your gumline to cover more of the surface area of your teeth while helping them remain firmly rooted in place.
How Can I Help Prevent Gum Disease?
Once gum disease reaches more advanced stages, it can often be managed, but not fully cured. That means proper prevention is essential to avoiding tooth loss as a result from receding connective tissues.
You can usually help safeguard your smile by implementing a twice-daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing to regularly remove harmful plaque and bacteria buildup. You can also minimize your consumption of overly sugary foods, which encourages unwanted germs to thrive.
Finally, visiting routine checkups and cleanings with your dental healthcare provider can help them monitor your condition, so they can catch and treat any areas of concern, such as gum disease, before they progress.
About the Practice
At Pioneer Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, patients benefit from a team of experts who are passionate about helping them improve their lives by enhancing their dental condition. Dr. Rutledge, Dr. Le, and Dr. Bradley are all board-certified periodontists, and they collaborate to provide a variety of complex and surgical procedures to help you build your healthiest, most beautiful smile. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (402) 483-7631.