Being “long in the tooth” or having exposed tooth roots isn’t necessarily something that automatically comes with age. Gum recession (when the gum tissues start to pull back from the tooth) can also be caused by these three common factors, among others:
#1 Misaligned Teeth
When you have severe crowding or crooked teeth, some of the teeth are going to be significantly out of alignment with their neighbor. As a result, the gingiva (gum tissues) that surround them will be tugged in different directions. It’s fairly common to see a specific tooth with significant gum recession even when its neighboring tooth does not.
Correcting the alignment of your teeth with braces or removable aligners (such as Invisalign) can help to reduce the tension on the gums and prevent additional recession as time goes by.
#2 Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is one of the most common causes of gum recession. Since the bacteria that cause gum disease lead to tissues detaching from the tooth and creating “pockets” underneath them, one of the main side effects is the gums pulling back and exposing the root.
However, not all areas of periodontitis will have obvious gum recession. Other warning signs to be on the lookout for will include sore teeth and gums, bleeding when you brush or floss, tooth mobility, shifting teeth, tartar buildup, and bad breath.
#3 Aggressive Toothbrushing
Overzealous brushing isn’t a good thing. Nor is using a hard or extra-hard stiff bristle toothbrush. Although you may feel like cleaning your teeth more aggressively is a better way to prevent decay and gum problems, it can actually be problematic.
Over time, aggressive scrubbing with your toothbrush will cause your gums to pull back due to the trauma. But not only that – brushing too hard can physically erode your tooth enamel over time. So, in addition to having exposed tooth roots, you’ll probably also start to see little notches or wedges in the sides of your teeth. At that point not only do you have to worry about the loss of gum tissue, but you’re also left with the dilemma of having to restore tooth structure.
A Graft-Free Option for Repairing Gum Recession
At Central Valley Dentistry we offer a minimally-invasive receding gums treatment called Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation. Pinhole can eliminate the need for grafting in many cases, as long as the area of recession fits the criteria.
Pinhole treatments gently stretch and pull the adjacent gum tissues near the area of recession to re-cover that exposed area of tooth. You might compare it to making the bed and tugging the sheet up higher in one area.
The best thing about Pinhole treatment is that there are no invasive steps or extensive suturing needed. You won’t have a long recovery time and the results are immediately visible.
Pinhole Treatment in Phoenix
Do you have receding gums or “long” teeth? Call Central Valley Dentistry today to learn more about our Phoenix Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation therapy and find out if it’s right for you!
