Gum recession is when your gums pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots and making the teeth look longer than natural. This can affect the appearance and health of your smile in many ways. Unfortunately, there are many causes of gum recession, and our periodontist, Dr. Jeffrey Lowry, would like to tell you all about them so you can determine the cause of your recession. Once you determine the cause, it’s best to treat your recession if recommended. The causes of your gum recession could include:
-Physical wear of the gums: If you brush too hard (especially with a hard-bristled toothbrush), floss too hard, grind your teeth or suffer a traumatic injury to the teeth and gums, then it could cause gum recession. All of these things irritate and harm the gums, making them shrivel away to protect themselves.
-Inflammation of the gums: This means you’re a victim of gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. Gum disease is a serious and dangerous dental problem that needs to be treated immediately. Oftentimes a regular dental cleaning can help. If the disease is in the later stages, more invasive treatment might be necessary.
-Genetics: Sometimes receded gums just run in the family. If you wish to improve the appearance of your smile, you can consider gum grafts.
If you have any questions or if you would like to know more about gum recession in Riverside, California, please contact our periodontal team at Jeffrey A Lowry DDS when you have the chance. All you need to do is dial 951-263-7001 and we will be more than happy to help you.