Achieve Healthier, More Confident Gums with Gum Recession Treatment

Gum recession is a common symptom of gum disease. However, not all cases of receding gums are associated with gum disease. Some of our patients may naturally be prone to receding gums due to thinner or weaker gum tissue. There are also many behavioral and lifestyle factors that can influence your gumline. For instance, aggressive flossing and brushing can wear down your gums and other tissues over time. Untreated bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, also erodes the tissues. It’s important to know that behaviors like aggressive brushing and untreated bruxism can increase your risk of developing gum disease, though. They can expose vulnerable tooth roots and also promote deeper pockets or spaces between the teeth and gums, which allow for germs to flourish and promote gum disease. 

Nightguards are designed to prevent gum recession and to stop it from getting worse. If you have bruxism (chronically grind your teeth), then Dr. Mary may design a nightguard that is customized to your mouth. Worn consistently before bedtime, these appliances protect the gums, teeth, and other tissues from damage caused by the forces from teeth grinding that often occurs while patients are sleeping. Since teeth grinding is a risk factor for gum recession, a nightguard can help to manage this condition; however, if you have existing gum recession that requires treatment, nightguards will not repair that damage. In such cases, other treatments would be necessary to heal the gums and regenerate new tissue. 

Dr. Mary bases her recommendations on an examination of your gums and teeth. A periodontal assessment also provides insights into the health of the gums. A special tool is used to measure the spaces between the teeth and gums. Larger periodontal pockets are indicative of active gum disease. As needed, Dr. Mary may order digital X-rays to also assess the health and density of the bone around the teeth. The condition of your teeth, gums, and bone tells her a great deal about the underlying cause of your receding gums. For instance, receding gums accompanied by enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, dull teeth, and indentations at the spots where the teeth meet the gumline can be telltale signs that you are brushing too hard. 

Dr. Mary and our team may demonstrate healthy brushing techniques and soft-bristled toothbrushes or brushes with built-in pressure sensors. Habit and product modifications may be all it takes to protect against further damage and prevent the need for in-office treatments. This approach would be insufficient for individuals whose receding gums are caused by conditions like gum disease. Procedures such as a deep dental cleaning (scaling and root planing) or gum grafting would be necessary when gums are damaged and tissue loss has occurred.