What Is Gum Recession?
- Do you feel pain in your gums?
- Are your gums tender to the touch?
- Do you cringe when you drink anything hot or very cold?
If you’re nodding, ‘yes,’ then you might be facing gum recession. At Lifetime Smiles, we want to make sure you’re the most educated you can be about your oral health. In What Are My Teeth Hurting?, we gave you a better idea on why your teeth may be hurting. Many people have had that piercing pain in a molar or bicuspid, but do you know what it means? To have a better understanding of your oral health and when to go to a dentist, it’s best if you take the time to educate yourself about all of the problems your teeth can face. One of those problems is gum recession. If you’re faced with oral health problems, then it’s best if you take the time to reach out to a dentist.
What Is Gum Recession?
The first question we need to answer is: What is gum recession? Essentially, gum recession is the receding of your gums. The gums will peel away from the teeth and allow the tissue around it to shrink away or be worn away. This happens when you brush too aggressively, periodontitis has set in, or your practice poor oral hygiene; smoking, aging, diabetes, poor nutrition, drug abuse, hormonal changes, grinding teeth, oral piercings, reduced immunity, and certain medications are just some more of the reasons that you may be experiencing gum recession. Gum recession might not seem like a big deal because it’s just your gums peeling away from your teeth, but the gums are there for a reason. When your gums begin to peel away from your teeth, they are leaving the tooth root exposed. When the tooth root is exposed, it is unable to get the nutrients it needs and will eventually become weak, fall apart, and then die. This will lead to dead teeth and a much bigger problem than gum recession.
The Signs Of Gum Recession
Now, let’s figure out if gum recession is what you are encountering with your teeth. The signs of gum recession are listed below.
- Loose teeth
- Swollen gums
- Sensitivity to cold
- Sensitivity to heat
- Bad breath
- Tender gums
- Pus in your gums
- Pus in your teeth
- Change in how your teeth fit while biting down
- Space between your teeth
In addition, a good way to tell if you aren’t sure is to look at your teeth and feel to see if there are grooves where your gums used to lie.
What To Do If You Have Gum Recession?
If you’ve gone down the list and figured out that you have gum recession, then it’s time to treat it. First, you need to go to a dentist to verify and help to remedy the situation. A dentist will be able to tell you if you have gum recession and help you figure out an oral plan to combat it. On the other hand, it’s not just up to the dentist to combat your gum recession, you need to be included as well. Second, you need to identify why exactly you have gum recession. If it’s because of your improper nutrition, the way you brush, or if you have a piercing, then it’s time to start practicing healthier habits. You can take the steps to improve your dental care by softly brushing and flossing just as gently.
If you are experiencing any of these signs of gum recession, then it’s time you visit a dentist.