Withdrawn gums, what are their causes and how to prevent it

Have you ever wondered why your teeth seem longer than normal? That’s because you might be experiencing a common problem known as retracted gums. In this article, we’ll explore in detail what retracted gums are, what causes them, and how you can address this problem to maintain a healthy smile.

Receding gums: what they are

Gingival recession or commonly known as retracted gums, is the weakening of the tissue that forms the gums causing their displacement downwards and leaving the teeth exposed. The surface that forms the root is composed of cement, so it is much more porous and not prepared to be exposed.

Gum retraction causes more tartar to appear, making it harder to brush your teeth and your gums become more inflamed.

Symptoms of the retracted gums

The most common symptoms are:

• Dental sensitivity, especially to cold and heat.
• Appearance of cavities in the root of the tooth.
• Exposed roots.
• Teeth longer than usual.
• In the physical aspect, changes are caused in the smile.
• Loss of the gum from the bone, causing the tooth to fall.

Reasons for the appearance of retracted gums

La aparición de encías retraídas pueden deberes por múltiples motivos:

• Smoking: using tobacco causes the gums to suffer necrosis in the tissue and thus the retraction of the gums.
• Periodontal diseases: periodontal diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis cause poor oral hygiene. The symptoms that appear are common to a periodontal disease: bleeding, redness, pus…
• Brush your teeth sharply: brushing your teeth very hard causes your gums to move downwards over time, causing them to retract. Therefore, it is important that you know good techniques in brushing your teeth and choose a brush with filaments that are not very hard. At Gross dentists a dental clinic in Malaga, we can give you some tips on how to brush your teeth well and what type of brush to use.
• Poor oral hygiene: this is one of the most important causes of retraction in the gums. Forget flossing, not brushing properly, not getting your teeth cleaned, or not going to your checkups.

Treatment for the retraction of gums

Depending on their severity, you should perform one treatment or another:

• Deep cleanings: a root scrape or straightening is used to remove all the tartar and plaque below the gum line, smoothing the root to protect it from bacteria.
• Taking antibiotics: to prevent infection again, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics, but as long as they are accompanied by another treatment.
• Surgery: if gum retraction goes any further, you may need to go through surgery: pouch reduction surgery, soft tissue grafts, or a bone graft.

Tips to prevent retracted gums

To prevent retraction in your gums we give you a series of tips for the perfect care of your smile.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• No smoke.
• Visit your dentist for checkups.
• If you have bruxism, use a splint to avoid clenching or grinding your teeth.

It is important to keep in mind in our day to day to take care of our oral health and avoid problems such as possible infections, diseases or suffering from gum retraction. If you have any questions, at Gross Dentists we are here to help you, make your appointment with us.