Are my gums receding? What to do if I see receding gums with only one tooth? Can such a condition be treated? If these questions are running through your mind, this blog will help you answer them.
Gum recession is a dental condition in which your gums pull back or recede from their former position. This makes your teeth appear longer than they used to and can also lead to some teeth sensitivity.
Gum recession can be caused by dental diseases as well as trauma. It can be generalized, meaning it involves all or most of the teeth, and sometimes you may notice receding gum on one tooth.
CAUSES OF RECEDING GUMS
- The most common cause of receding gums is gum disease like periodontitis. Periodontitis is a destructive inflammatory disease of the gums which destroys it and can cause the gums to pull back.
- Accumulation of hard deposits like tartar also can lead to receded gums.
- Trauma to the gums can also lead to gum recession. It is imperative to brush twice a day and floss every day to maintain optimal oral health. However, using a hard-bristled toothbrush and brushing too aggressively can irritate the gums, which can eventually cause them to recede. This can also manifest as gum recession which is limited to a single tooth due to continuous trauma.
- Smoking and chewing tobacco.
- Genetics – Some people are more prone to gum diseases and gum recession than others.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF RECEDING GUM ON A SINGLE TEETH
- Teeth sensitivity, especially the tooth that is affected.
- Bleeding from gum.
- The tooth affected looks longer than it did.
- Swollen gums, red and tender gum.
- A loose tooth if the recession has advanced.
If you are noticing receding gum on one tooth, it may be caused by anything mentioned above. In addition, trauma to the gum because of a dental injury can also be a reason for gum recession on a single tooth. Whatever may be the cause, it is imperative that you consult Dr. Sanz at Wilmington Periodontics and Implants as soon as possible for proper treatment and prevention of any complication.
TREATMENT FOR RECEDING GUM ON ONE TOOTH IN DELAWARE
- For tooth sensitivity, our Delaware periodontist will apply a desensitising agent to the exposed tooth surface. This reduces the sensation and helps with the pain.
- Scaling and root planing.
- In some cases, tooth-colored dental composite resin or white filling will be used to cover the exposed tooth surface. However, this is not a complete cure but rather just a procedure to manage the pain and restore aesthetics.
- Our dentist at Wilmington Periodontics and Implants will advise you to undergo a periodontal grafting surgical procedure if the recession is severe. In this technique, a small portion of soft tissue is taken from elsewhere in the mouth and grafted onto the receded tooth side. Next, the gums are given proper shape and allowed to heal. Grafting procedures help stabilize the tooth as well as treat the receded gum in a single tooth.
- Our Delaware periodontist will also instruct you on proper oral hygiene methods, which will help avoid any such condition from arriving in the future. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle strokes while brushing to prevent trauma to the gums.
