Why are my gums receding?

Question:

Why does [the gum push down away from my tooth]? It looks like there won’t be support to my tooth if it [keeps] on happening. Is there any solution for it?

Answer:

It sounds like what you’re describing is a severe case of gingival recession.  Severe recession usually results from gingivitis or periodontitis.  Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums around the tooth.  Periodontitis is similar to gingivitis, except it also includes loss of bone around the tooth and shrinkage of the gum tissues away from the tooth.

You want to try your best to preserve the tooth and its surrounding structures.  The gums (gingiva) usually shrink away from the teeth because bacteria have accumulated in areas around the tooth.  The bacteria cause our immune system to react in several ways to fight it off.  A combination of our immune system reactions and the harmful toxins released from the bacteria lead up to periodontitis (the gums shrinking away from the tooth).

The best way to treat this is to FLOSS EVERYDAY especially around this tooth and be sure to brush thoroughly all surfaces of your teeth.  If not, bacteria will continue to accumulate around your gumline and continue to add to your condition.

Is the tooth loose?  If so, you may need to visit your dentist for further evaluation.

Is there plaque or calculus around the tooth?  If yes, you will need a dental cleaning in order to effectively remove all of the bacteria from this area.

If the gum recession is severe, you can always visit your dentist for a periodontal graft to assist in replacing the tissue.

As a reminder, be sure to begin to take steps to treat this situation now.  If allowed to worsen, the tooth could eventually become loose and even fall out.  View our articles on Brushing and Flossing for more details on how to properly clean your teeth.

Good luck,

SaveMySmile Team

I have bad breath

Question:

I am suffering from bad breath for long time. Please give me suggestions.  Thank.

Answer:

Bad breath can come from many sources.  For starters, it comes from poor oral hygiene.  If you fail to brush after each meal and floss at least once a day, bacteria will begin to accumulate in your mouth, especially in those hard to reach areas.  This can include between the teeth or even on the back of the tongue.  Bacteria give off by-products that leave a stench.  Therefore the more bacteria you have in your mouth, the higher of a chance for bad breath.

Another reason could stem from your diet.  If you have a diet that’s low in carbohydrates, you are more likely to have bad breath.  Having a balanced diet that contains plenty of water is essential to great breath.

Some cures to bad breath include

• Occasionally chewing on sugar-free gum, that preferably contains Xylitol (see our article here), throughout the day
• Occasionally consuming sugar free mints throughout the day to stimulate salivary flow, thus cleansing the mouth of bacteria
• Maintaining good oral health (see our articles on Brushing and Flossing)
• Be sure to clean the tongue daily, with either a tongue scraper or the bristles of your toothbrush.

Hope these tips help out and good luck,

SaveMySmile Team

Because of trauma, my gum receded. Will it heal?

Question:

I got into a fight on New Years eve, and took a pretty good punch to the mouth. My gums were bruised, and the gum on my right front tooth receded so that part of the root is visible.

I am a smoker, so a few questions that have really been bothering me are:

Will it heal?
Will I require dental surgery?
Do I need to avoid smoking?
Will it get infected if I don’t take care of it?
What are the signs that the tooth is dying besides turning dark (which isnt happening….yet….)

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Answer:

Well there are a couple of things to take into consideration when looking at your scenario.  For starters, is the tooth mobile?  This plays a HUGE role as to whether the tooth will “heal” or not.  If mobile, the tooth may need to have a splint attached by the dentist to immobilize the tooth so that healing can begin to occur.

We will answer your questions under the assumption that the tooth is not mobile.

Will it heal?

Yes and no.  Yes in that the periodontal ligaments (the fibers that attach the tooth to the socket and bone) have undergone extensive trauma and will begin to reattach so that the tooth can function normally.  No, in that the gums that have receded will not grow back over the exposed root without assistance from the dentist.  What will actually happen is that the pdl fibers will reattach on the remaining gingiva (gums).

Will I require dental surgery?

Yes.  You will need something referred to as periodontal plastic surgery (believe us, sounds much more complicated that what it actually is).  The dentist uses a free gingival graft or connective tissue graft to cover the area.  This means that he/she will remove some gum tissue from one part of your mouth, and place it over the area of recession in order to stimulate growth.

Do I need to avoid smoking?

Yes is an understatement!!  Smoking severely compromises the amount of blood supply to your gums.  Insufficient blood supply=delayed healing!

Will it get infected if I don’t take care of it?

Let’s consider the anatomy of teeth when looking at this question.  Unlike the crown of the tooth, which is covered by enamel, the root of the tooth is covered by a substance called cementum.  The composition of cementum is a little different than enamel, as it was made to function below the gums, and not actually in the mouth like enamel.  This means just continue to practice good oral hygiene, which means brushing after each meal and flossing once a day.  Be sure not to let food or any other debris accumulate in this area.

What are the signs that the tooth is dying besides turning dark?

This varies.  Some signs can include sharp pain, increased sensitivity, a long, dull, continuous pain, sensitivity to hot, cold, or when chewing, or, as you mentioned, color change.  Also, a tooth can undergo the process of necrosis (dying) with no signs or indications.  A dentist can run several tests to determine whether the pulp is still vital.

We hope these answers helped you out.  In a situation like this, it’s pretty hard to tell exactly what’s going on without running some tests and taking a look clinically.  But hopefully these answers can guide you down the right path.  It’ll be best to go to the dentist and have an x-ray taken of the tooth and a couple of diagnostic tests performed to determine the status of the tooth.  Don’t wait too long to visit the dentist, especially if the tooth is mobile.

Hope this helps and good luck!!

My toothbrush wears down after one week!

Question:

Hi
The bristles on my toothbrush begin to wear away after 1 week of usage twice a day!  What should I do? Should I change my brush every week?

Answer:

This is a clear sign that you are brushing your teeth entirely too hard.  Remember, brushing, when done the right way, is great for your teeth.  However, brushing too hard is actually bad for your teeth.  It prematurely wears away enamel and can eventually cause sensitivity close to the gum line.  Enamel does not regenerate and you may eventually need a restoration (filling) if you continue to brush with great force.  Continue to brush after each meal but just remember that light to medium force is all you need to accurately clean your teeth.  The bristles in your toothbrush should at least last 2-3 months (see our article on when to change your toothbrush).  Any time less than this is an indication that you may brush too hard.  Also, if you happen to use a soft bristles, step it up to medium strength bristles.  These may last a little longer in your situation.

Good Luck!

Brushing: When and How to do it

Did you know that there are different techniques for brushing your teeth?  And yes, they even have their own names.  There is the Bass method, Charter’s method, Modified Stillman method, etc.  The most popular and most recommended is the Bass method.  Step-by-step directions are offered below:

• Start by placing the toothbrush bristles at a 45 degree angle on the front surface of the back teeth. Move the toothbrush in small circular motions. Make sure that you brush the tooth and especially the area where the tooth meets the gums.
• With this circular motion, slowly move forward towards the front teeth. Don’t rush!! Be sure to take your time and clean off all food debris and plaque. If you are having the problems with the brush fitting in your mouth, angle it vertically and continue to brush at a 45 degree angle the front surface and gum line.
• Continue to move around the arch and cover the back teeth on the opposite side.
• Repeat these steps with the back of the teeth as well (the side of the teeth that is closest to the tongue)
• Next, place the toothbrush bristles on the chewing surfaces of the teeth (known in the dental world as the occlusal surface).
• Move the toothbrush back in forth in a “scrubbing motion”. Be sure to brush the chewing surfaces of all teeth, even the front teeth.
• Rinse your toothbrush, place on tongue, and gently run the bristles over your tongue. The tongue can also harbor bacteria and cavity causing germs and must be cleaned as well.

Remember, a beautiful smile leaves a lasting impression.

Happy Brushing!

Cavity Basics

What is a cavity/tooth decay?

A cavity is an open pathway in the tooth which is caused by bacterial invasion.  In the dental world, it’s referred to as a carious lesion.  The severity of the cavity/carious lesion will determine which type of restoration is needed.

How would I know if I have a cavity?

If you experience pain in the tooth, more than likely it can be attributed to bacterial invasion/cavity.  However, keep in mind that tooth pain can be attributed to several other factors such as periodontal disease.  The best way to tell if you have a cavity is to visit the dentist.  Sometimes, cavities occur between our teeth, and the only way to determine its presence is on a radiograph/x-ray. 

What can be done to prevent cavities?

Brush, brush, and brush some more!!  If you brush 3 times a day, or even better, after each meal, you will remove food debris and other agents that act as magnets for bacteria.  If you are unable to brush that often, be sure to chew gum with Xylitol after your meals.  This will aid in remineralizing your enamel after a meal, thus making it stronger and more resistant to bacterial invasion.  Please see our article on gum with xylitol for more information.

Please see our article on cavity prevention for more information on maintaining a healthy mouth.