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.

What Causes 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.

How to Prevent Gingivitis/Gum Recession

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

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!!

What is mottling?

Question:

I went to the dentist today for a routine cleaning and when the dentist came in he told the hygienist to record that I had  mottling on the upper gums in the front.  The only thing I can find about mottling involves the teeth but I am sure he said the gums.  Is this something that is bad?  If so what causes it?

Answer:

Well your research proved right in that the term “mottling”, when used in dentistry, does indeed apply to the teeth.  Mottling is used to describe the physical appearance of enamel after exposure to excess fluoride (typically in the drinking water).  The exposure usually occurs during childhood/development years and is reflected on the teeth later on.  The spots can range anywhere from paper-white patches to brown patchy discoloration.  Mottling is harmless and most individuals are only dissatisfied with the esthetic appearance.  However, if severe, other effects of excess systemic fluoride will appear such as sclerosis of the skeleton (very rare).  So if you have a white patch or brown patch on your tooth, maybe this is what your dentist was referring to.

The only term that sounds somewhat similar to mottling, which could have been used in reference to your gums, could have been stippling.  Stippling refers to a rippled appearance of the gums and is an indication of good health.

Hope this information helps you with your inquiry.  Good luck!

Signs of Gingivitis

Gum disease, known as gingivitis (or it’s more severe form, periodontitis), refers to the inflammation of the gums (gingiva).  It results from accumulation of bacteria near the gum line, causing bacterial invasion into the tissues of the body.  If not addressed and treated, gingivitis will lead to recession of the gums, bone loss, tooth loss, and systemic disease.

Signs of Gingivitis

• Swollen gums
• Bleeding gums (especially when brushing or flossing)
• Shiny or red gums
• Associated pain
• Bad breath or foul smelling gums
• Gum recession (teeth appear longer)

Causes of Gingivitis

• Most often caused by plaque accumulation and poor oral hygiene habits
• Hormonal changes (i.e. pregnancy)
• Certain medications that may suppress the immune system

Gingivitis is a mild form of inflammation.  Unlike it’s more serious form, periodontitis, gingivitis can be treated quickly and easily if addressed in a timely fashion.

Treatment for Gingivitis

• Improve oral hygiene habits – Brush after each meal and floss every day.  If this regimen is followed precisely, the bleeding will eventually stop.
• Incorporate a mouth rinse, preferably with chlorohexidine, into your daily routine.  This can assist with the removal of unwanted bacteria.
• Visit the dentist and get a cleaning – The dentist will be able to effectively remove plaque and calculus, the main causes of gingivitis.  However, it’s up to you to maintain the plaque free mouth after this point.
• Antibiotics – If serious, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics to control the bacterial invasion.

All in all, gingivitis can easily be managed if addressed early.  Take the right steps in keeping up with your oral hygiene to maintain a healthy smile.

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