How to Prevent Gingival Recession – Gingival Recession Treatment
What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis, also called gingival recession or gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around the teeth and can destroy the bone that supports one’s teeth if left untreated. Receding gums (periodontitis) can cause loosening of teeth or tooth loss.
Receding gums (periodontitis) is a common but preventable condition. It is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and maintenance. Brushing teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and having regular dental exams reduces the chances of developing gum recession (periodontitis) and can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment.
Causes Gum Recession (Periodontitis)?
In many cases, the development of gingival recession (periodontitis) begins with the formation of plaque, an adhesive film based on bacteria. If this plaque is left untreated, how can it eventually progress to periodontitis.
Plaque builds up on teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria that are normally found in an individual’s mouth. Brushing the teeth twice a day and flossing once a day can remove plaque buildup, but plaque builds up quickly.
Plaque remaining on the teeth can harden under the gum line and become tartar, in other words, tartar. Tartar is more difficult to remove than plaques and is full of bacteria. The longer plaque and tartar remain in your teeth, the more damage it can cause. It is not possible to clean tartar by brushing teeth and using dental floss. A professional dental cleaning is needed to remove it.
Plaque can cause gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. Gingivitis is the name given to the irritation and inflammation of the gum tissue around the base of the tooth. Gingivitis can be reversed after professional treatment and with good oral care at home.
Ongoing gingivitis can cause periodontitis. This causes the formation of pockets between your gums and teeth filled with plaque, tartar and bacteria. Over time, these pockets deepen and fill with more bacteria. If these deepening infections are left untreated, this will result in both tissue and bone loss and may ultimately result in the loss of one or more teeth. Continuous chronic inflammation can strain the individual’s immune system.
Gingivitis, drugs that cause dry mouth or gum changes, malnutrition including vitamin C deficiency, certain diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, hormonal changes such as those associated with pregnancy or menopause, genetics, poor oral health habits, leukemia, HIV / Conditions that cause reduced immunity such as AIDS and cancer treatment, obesity, smoking or chewing tobacco, or drug use may increase the risk of developing gum recession (periodontitis).
What Are The Complications That May Occur With Gingival Recession (Periodontitis)?
Tooth and jaw bone loss is the leading complication caused by gingival recession (periodontitis). In addition, bacteria responsible for gum recession (periodontitis) can enter the circulatory system from the gum tissue and affect other parts of the body.
Gingival recession (periodontitis) has been observed to be associated with problems controlling blood sugar in respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease and diabetes.
How to Prevent Periodontitis?
The most effective way to prevent periodontitis is the habit of cleaning teeth, which is started from a young age and maintained consistently throughout life.
Good oral hygiene and dental hygiene habits mean brushing the teeth at least twice a day, that is, in the morning and before going to bed, and flossing at least once a day. Dental floss used before brushing helps to better clean the food particles and bacteria caught between teeth. In this way, the development of a favorable environment for certain bacteria that cause periodontal disease around the teeth is prevented.
Regular visits to the dentist or dental hygienist for cleaning, usually every 6 to 12 months, will be particularly beneficial for individuals with risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing gum recession (periodontitis), such as dry mouth, use of certain medications, or smoking.
What are the Symptoms of Periodontitis?
Under normal conditions, healthy gums are hard and pale pink in color and fit perfectly around the teeth. In case of gingival recession (Periodontitis), the following signs and symptoms are observed.
Swollen or raised gums
Bright red, dark red, or purplish gums
Bad breath
Painful chewing
New spaces that develop between teeth
Space between your teeth and gums
Gums that pull down and make teeth look longer than normal
Coughing up blood while brushing or flossing
Gums that are sensitive to the touch
Pink color toothbrush after brushing
Loose teeth or loss of teeth
A change in the way your teeth fit when you bite
Gums that bleed easily.
Individuals should have regular dental check-ups. Individuals who notice any symptoms of gum recession (periodontitis) should make an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible. Early intervention increases the likelihood of reversing damage from gum recession (periodontitis).
How Is Periodontitis Diagnosed?
The dentist will first perform an examination to determine whether the individual has gum recession (periodontitis) and how severe it is. During this examination, the dentist will review the individual’s medical history to identify factors that may contribute to symptoms, such as smoking or taking certain medications that cause dry mouth.
He or she will check the individual’s mouth and easy bleeding to check for plaque and tartar build-up.
It will measure by placing a dental probe next to the tooth to measure the pocket depth of the groove between the gums and teeth at various locations in the mouth. In a healthy mouth, the pocket depth is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters. Pockets deeper than 4 millimeters may indicate the presence of periodontitis. Pockets deeper than 5 millimeters cannot be cleaned well and may require intervention.
The tooth will be x-rayed to check for bone loss in areas where deeper pocket depths are observed.
After these stages, the dentist can assign a stage and grade for gingival recession (periodontitis) depending on the severity of the disease, complexity of the treatment, existing risk factors and the health of the individual.
How Is Periodontitis Treated?
Recession (periodontitis) treatment can be done by a dentist or dental hygienist. The goal of treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets around the teeth and prevent further damage to the surrounding bone. For a successful treatment, it is also necessary to apply a good daily oral care routine, manage health conditions that may affect dental health, and stop tobacco use.
If gingival recession (periodontitis) is not developed, the treatment process can be completed with non-surgical treatments and less invasive procedures. For this, the tartar and bacteria can be scraped away from the tooth surface by using tools, laser or ultrasonic devices.
Smoothing the root surface can inhibit further tartar and bacterial growth and eliminate bacterial byproducts that delay gum healing, or re-adhesion to the tooth. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection.
Topical antibiotics may include the insertion of antibiotic mouthwash or gels containing antibiotics into the space between your teeth and gums or into pockets after deep cleaning. However, the use of oral antibiotics may be necessary to completely eradicate the bacteria causing the infection.
However, if the individual has advanced gingival recession (periodontitis), dental surgery may be required during the treatment process. Accordingly, flap surgery, that is, pocket reduction surgery, can be performed. The dentist makes small incisions in the gum so that part of the gum tissue can be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective cleaning and root straightening.
Because gingival recession (periodontitis) often causes bone loss, the underlying bone may need to be re-contoured before the gum tissue is sutured in place. After healing, it is easier to clean these areas and maintain healthy gum tissue.
When the individual loses gum tissue, the gum recedes. Some of the damaged soft tissues may need to be strengthened. Soft tissue grafts can be applied for this. This usually takes the form of removing a small amount of tissue from the individual’s palate or transferring it to the affected area using tissue from another donor source. This can help reduce more gum recession, cover exposed roots and give your teeth a more pleasing appearance.
The bone grafting procedure is done when gum recession (periodontitis) destroys the bone surrounding the root of the tooth. The fragments used in grafting may consist of small fragments of the individual’s own bones, consist of synthetic bones, or may be donated. Bone graft helps prevent tooth loss by keeping the tooth in place. It also acts as a platform for natural bone regrowth.
Guided tissue regeneration therapy allows bone to regrowth that has been destroyed by bacteria. In one approach, your dentist places a special piece of biocompatible fabric between the existing bone and your tooth. This material prevents unwanted soft tissue from entering the healing area, instead giving the bone time to regrowth.
Another technique involves the application of a special gel, tissue-stimulating proteins, to a diseased tooth root. This gel contains the same proteins found in tooth enamel development and allows the growth of healthy bone and tissue.
Lifestyle Changes And Home Care For Gingival Recession (Periodontitis)
It is possible to take various simple measures to reduce or prevent periodontitis. These include primarily brushing the individual’s teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal or snack.
The individual should use a soft toothbrush and replace it at least every three months. Electric toothbrushes can be more effective at removing plaque and tartar. Flossing should be used at least once a day.
In cases recommended by the dentist, mouthwash can be used to help reduce interdental plaque.
A quality toothpaste, interdental brush and tooth stick can be used to support normal tooth brushing.
Regular professional teeth cleaning should be done according to a program recommended by the dentist.
Smoking and tobacco use should be avoided as the second most important factor. These are items that aid in dry mouth and bacteria growth.
"The content of the page is for informational purposes only. Consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment."
