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Why are my gums receding?

Receding gums are a common problem amongst aging population but nevertheless we see it in younger adults as well. To determine the cause of these problems it is important to diagnose it in its early stages by visiting your dentist at least once a year.

Receding gums cause not only unpleasant aesthetics but it is mostly sign of underlying problems that need to be diagnosed and fixed as soon as possible before it could reach the point where teeth have to be removed and substituted with dental implants.

There are many factors that can indicate receding gums:

There are two treatments available. One is called SRP scaling and root planning which aims to stop the profession of the disease. Once the gums are disease free then a periodontist can examine the situation and decide whether a gum transplant is possible to take from your hard palate and replace it in the recession area. This is done with various techniques available and it has show to have 70% long term success rates.

If you have missing teeth the rest of your existing teeth will attempt to shift. This causes a miss alignment of your bite and this causes some teeth to endure more pressure from mastication forces than others causing trauma to the effected tooth and surrounding gums. Often the treatment of choice is to move your teeth back to its original position with braces and then substitute the missing teeth with dental implants or dental bridges.
Sometimes some people lack the quality of tissue, more specifically what’s called connective tissue. This Layer of tissue has more blood supply and acts as a protective layer to your jaw bone and teeth.
Orthodontic equipments could cause damage to your teeth when not applied correctly. When applied non recommended forces to move your teeth it can impact the gums as well as the bone structure that holds your teeth in place. It is recommended to chose an experienced dentist.. Once you start your orthodontic treatment you have follow through with your dentists instructions.
Genetic or unknown factors could cause gums to recede
Quite often grinding or clenching your teeth is the primary cause of receding gums and attrition (your teeth become shorter). Bruxism could come from multiple factors such as stress, TMJ disorders, muscle spasms, psychological factors. It is important to have a consultation with a doctor that is specialised in TMJ disorders. A device called Electromyography may help understand the movements of your jaw and it could help your doctor understand better whats causing it. They will recommend customized splints that you will have to wear at night for couple of months (nightguards with different thickness level).

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