Gum recession is when the gum edge moves down the tooth, exposing the root. It is gradual, usually painless at first, and very common — many adults in Rajkot have some degree of it without realising. Left alone it leads to sensitivity, root decay and, in advanced cases, loose teeth.
Signs
- Teeth that look longer than they used to
- A notch you can feel with a fingernail at the gum line
- Sensitivity to cold, sweet or brushing
- A darker, yellowish band at the base of the tooth (exposed root)
- Food catching between teeth where the gum used to fill the space
Causes
- Brushing too hard or with a hard brush, especially scrubbing side to side. This wears away gum and root alike.
- Gum disease. Inflammation and bone loss cause the gum to shrink back. See bleeding gums.
- Grinding and clenching which flex the teeth at the gum line.
- Teeth positioned outside the bone, such as crowded or prominent teeth, which have thin gum covering.
- Tobacco in any form, which impairs gum blood supply.
- Lip or tongue piercings rubbing the gum.
- Age, with cumulative wear of all the above.
Stopping it getting worse
The first and most important step is removing the cause:
- Switch to a soft brush and gentle circular strokes; an electric brush with a pressure sensor helps.
- Treat gum disease with professional cleaning and deep cleaning where pockets exist.
- A night guard if grinding is a factor.
- Stop tobacco.
Mild recession that is stable needs monitoring, not surgery.
Treating sensitivity and exposed roots
- Desensitising toothpaste and in-clinic fluoride varnish
- A tooth-coloured filling over a worn or decayed root notch
- Laser treatment for inflamed gum tissue around the area
Gum grafting
When recession is advancing, the root is very sensitive, or the appearance bothers you, a gum graft can cover the exposed root. A small piece of tissue from the palate — or a tissue substitute — is placed over the root under local anaesthesia. Healing takes a couple of weeks and the result is long-lasting when the cause has been addressed.
Orthodontic help
Teeth that sit outside the bony housing recede because the gum over them is thin. Moving them back into the bone with aligners or braces thickens the support and can be part of the solution.
Common questions
Can receding gums grow back? Gum does not regrow on its own. Grafting can rebuild it; stopping the cause prevents further loss.
Is recession the same as gum disease? Not always. Over-brushing causes recession in perfectly healthy gums. Gum disease is one cause among several.
Why are my teeth sensitive at the gum line? The exposed root has no enamel; tiny channels in the dentine transmit cold and sweet to the nerve.
Teeth looking longer or feeling sensitive? Book a gum check at Lifedent, Rajkot.