Gums are responsible for supporting our teeth and keeping them in place. Their tight seal also helps prevent bacteria and germs from getting down to the root and bone. Healthy gums play an important role in our oral health. When damaged gums or receding gums expose the tooth root, it can result in tooth sensitivity, painful chewing, tooth decay, and loose teeth. If your gums are receding, gum recession treatment can restore healthy gums and help prevent oral health complications down the road. Here’s what you need to know.

What is gum recession?

Gum recession is a condition characterized by the gums pulling away or wearing away from the teeth. This results in the formation of pockets between the teeth and gum line, allowing bacteria to build up in areas that are unreachable without professional dental tools. Gum recession causes the teeth to appear elongated and makes them more vulnerable to sensitivity and infection.

Reasons for gum recession

When the gums recede or pull away from the teeth, it’s typically a sign of periodontal disease, but it can be caused by other factors as well. The reasons for gum recession may include:

-Gum disease
-Poor oral hygiene
-Too much pressure while brushing
-Hard-bristle toothbrush
-Thin gum tissue (genetics)
-Teeth grinding
-Hormonal changes
-Misaligned bite
-Age
-Vitamin deficiency
-Medical conditions
-Smoking
-Lip or tongue piercings

Regardless of the cause, gum recession should be addressed.  If left untreated, receding gums can result in a buildup of disease-causing bacteria that damage the supporting tissues and bone structures of your teeth.

How Gum Recession Looks Like

Gum Recession: Soft tissue graft surgery. 3D illustration 

What are the symptoms of gum recession? 

If you attend regular dental appointments two or three times per year, your dentist and dental hygienist will keep an eye on your gums and let you know if they are receding.  But there are also some symptoms that you can watch out for and bring to your dentist’s attention if you notice them between visits. The symptoms of gum recession include:

  • Elongated teeth

  • Tooth sensitivity

  • Painful gums

  • Variable height of gum tissue

If your gums are red, swollen and bleeding but they don’t seem to be receding, you may have periodontal disease, which can lead to receding gums.  Be sure to bring this to your dentist’s attention as well.

Treating gum recession with surgery

The first line of treatment for gum problems is usually deep cleaning with tooth scaling and root planing. This combination of procedures cleans out the pockets between the teeth and gums, and smooths the teeth roots to make it more difficult for the plaque to stick. Antibiotics may also be prescribed.  But if gum tissue has already been lost, gum recession surgery may be needed.

Treating gum recession with surgery is not as scary as it sounds, especially at La Mesa Dentistry. We perform all gum recession surgery through the small gap (the sulcus) along the cervical part of teeth, which results in less pain and swelling, and a faster recovery. The two  main types of gum surgery for recession that we offer include:

  • Minimally invasive tunneling technique for gum recession

Also known as flapless gum surgery, this procedure involves creating a tunnel beneath the gums to make space for the grafting material. The graft is then placed under the tunneled tissue, keeping the existing tissue intact. The graft and tissue are then raised to cover the tooth roots, using only a single suture.

  • Alloderm Gum Grafting solution for receding gums

Dr. Mechev uses Alloderm, which is patented collagen material derived from human donor tissue. Alloderm has been used successfully in dentistry for over 40 years.

Gum grafting with Alloderm can be done in a number of ways, depending on the needs of the patient. In some cases, it involves creating tiny pockets in the gums for the grafting material. In other cases, the gums may be pulled back while the Alloderm material is used to cover the tooth roots. The use of Alloderm eliminates the pain associated with harvesting tissue from the patient’s palate. And because the specially created grafting material does not have cells, there is no risk of rejection.

Treatment of Gum Recession in San Diego, La Mesa

When you come to La Mesa Dental for a consultation with Dr. Mechev, he’ll examine your teeth and gums and recommend the most suitable gum recession treatment for restoring your healthiest, most radiant smile.

You’ll also receive a clear set of pre- and post-procedure instructions to ensure that you get the best results from your gum recession surgery.

Treating gum recession protects your teeth and helps prevent oral health complications. Call (619) 337-2424 to schedule your gum recession treatment consultation with Dr. Mechev today!

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