Receding Gums

Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a common condition that affects up to 47% of American adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Receding gums are one of the signs of this prevalent disease and can increase the risk of tooth decay, as well as tooth loss. Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue around the teeth is worn away, exposing the root of the tooth.  Pockets are created between the gum line and the teeth, allowing bacteria to build up and cause gum infection.

How do you know you have receding gums? Symptoms may include bad breath, swollen gums, gums that bleed after brushing, and painful or loose teeth. Gum disease is not the only factor that causes gum recession, though. Here are a few of the other reasons why this condition might occur:

• Some people are predisposed to having thin or weak gums due to their genetics.
• A common cause of receding gums is aggressive tooth brushing or using toothbrushes with hard bristles. Over-brushing can do more harm than good to your teeth and gums. 
• Having poor oral hygiene and not keeping up with brushing and flossing can lead to bacteria buildup on teeth and gums which lead to gum disease. 
• Using tobacco products can irritate gums and affect the normal function of gum tissue.

Unfortunately, receding gums do not grow back. Unlike other tissues in the body, gum tissue does not regenerate. That’s why it is very important to catch this condition in the early stages so that it doesn’t become a more complex and painful issue. 

At each visit to our Fort Lee office, we check on the health of your gums and look for any signs of problems. Sometimes you won’t even notice that you have the early signs of gum disease, which is one of the reasons it is so common. People don’t even know they have it! The good news is that we have options to treat the problem and get you back on the road to good oral health.