Gum Recession

Gum recession is a type of gum disease that occurs when gum tissue recedes away from the surface of the teeth. Without protection, the hard surface of the affected teeth becomes more susceptible to cavities (caries), more sensitive to hot and cold foods, and potentially painful. As gum recession progresses, even the tooth roots can become exposed, leading to other problems.

Gum recession can have numerous causes, including:

• Oral trauma to the gum tissue
• Aggressive brushing or overbrushing
• Gum disease (periodontal disease)
• Chewing/smoking tobacco
• Tooth alignment issues
• Complications from tongue piercings

While these issues are related to oral hygiene habits, some people are genetically predisposed to having thin or weak gum tissue. Regardless of the cause, when left untreated, gum recession can progress from pain and cavities to serious issues such as tooth mobility, tooth loss, or surrounding bone loss. Since lost gums cannot grow back, timely treatment is key to improving the outcome of patients with gum recession.

Fortunately, gum recession can be easily diagnosed in a routine dental examination. Your dental hygienist will measure the depth of the recession using a metal tool (periodontal probe). They will then prescribe a treatment based on the cause and degree of the recession. In many cases, nonsurgical treatments such as desensitizing toothpaste, topical antibiotics, or orthodontic appliances can stop the condition from progressing.

Despite these cosmetic and symptomatic treatments, gum recession usually requires gum recession surgery to fix permanently. If you notice the symptoms of gum recession, tell your dentist at your next scheduled cleaning so they can check your gums and prescribe treatment if needed.