Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Receding Gums

Receding gums leads to gum tissues pulling back from teeth roots, making your teeth appear abnormally large. Teeth roots are protected from acids made by oral bacteria by the gum tissues that cover them, so gum recession leaves them vulnerable to these acids, increasing their risk of decay.

Receding gums can be caused by several things, including periodontal disease, poor brushing and flossing habits, injuries to gum tissues, using a hard toothbrush, and genetics. Regardless of the cause, exposed teeth roots can lead to various problems, like long-looking teeth and teeth falling out of the mouth.

Questions to ask a dentist about receding gums

Patients may notice gum tissues pulling back from the roots of some of their teeth. Here are the answers to questions that they might have:

1. What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of gum tissues. It is caused by the same bacteria that create acids that decay teeth. These bacteria form plaque, a sticky film that contains acids. Plaque accumulates on teeth, and it hardens into tartar if left there for a few days. Tartar accumulates at the base of teeth and can make its way into gum pockets, infecting the tissues there. The immune system sends antibodies to the area to combat the infection, leading to the inflammation that characterizes gum disease.

Gum disease has two main stages. Gingivitis is the first stage and comes with symptoms like tender gums, gum recession, and gums that bleed easily. It can be reversed with a renewed commitment to dental hygiene and teeth cleanings to eliminate tartar deposits.

Periodontitis is the second stage of gum disease, and there is no way to reverse it. A dentist can help slow down the infection's progression with medication and treatments like root scaling and planing, gum grafts, and bone grafts. Left untreated, periodontitis can lead to teeth falling out of the mouth. It is the leading cause of adult tooth loss.

2. What are the symptoms of gum disease?

Gum disease can be challenging to detect because symptoms are not always noticeable during the early stages. Symptoms of gum disease include swollen gums, discolored gums, bleeding gums, gum recession, loose teeth, bad breath, pus coming from the base of teeth, teeth sensitivity, spaces forming between teeth, and tooth loss.

3. What are the risks of leaving periodontal disease untreated?

Failing to get appropriate treatments for gum disease can lead to the inability to reverse the condition. Once gum disease advances to periodontitis, it causes severe damage to the bone and tissue structures that hold the teeth in place. It can lead to teeth falling out of the mouth and permanent changes to these structures. Periodontal disease has been linked to serious health issues like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular disease.