Repairing Receding Gums

Do you know what is meant by receding gums? You may be suffering from it now. Twenty-five percent of people under the age of 30 and one-third of the population above the age of 60 have receding gums, yet most of us don't know what receding gums are or how to fix them. 

What Is Gum Recession?

Gum recession occurs when the gums surrounding the teeth wear down and expose the root of the teeth. This makes the space between the teeth and gums more and deeply accessible to the plaque-forming bacteria. When these deep pockets are infected by tartar, it weakens the supporting bones and gum line. Receding gums are one of main causes of tooth loss and pyrea.

How To Repair Receding Gums?

There are several ways to fix the receding gums, depending upon the severity of the recession and tooth sensitivity. The right course of treatment can only be determined by a professional dentist.

Surgical grafting is the most common and most recommended way of fixing gum recession. It follows the mechanism of a plastic surgery, where the receding gums are grafted with healthy gum tissues. The grafting procedure also depends upon the condition of the gums. The first preference is to obtain tissues from the patients own mouth, as they are biologically compatible and eliminate the risk of adverse reaction.

The first choice of a dentist is to take tissues from the adjacent gum and extend the receding gums. However, adjacent tissues are limited and can cover only one tooth. This type of grafting is possible in the initial stages of recession when only a part of the gum line is affected.

The next option is to take tissues from the roof of the mouth, which is more abundant in gum tissues. However, this creates two surgical sites in the mouth and complicates the process of post operative care.

The last and least preferred option is allografting, in which a donors gum tissue is used. The success of alloderm grafting depends upon the level of bio-compatibility between the donors and donees tissue.

Pre And Post-Operative Measures

You may be one of those rare lucky people who come out of gum recession without going through the complex procedure of surgical grafting. However, it is not just sheer luck that saves you from it; maintaining healthy oral hygiene is the key to protect yourself from all kinds of gum diseases. The same is recommended as post-operative measures. Operated gums become more soft and sensitive. Proper brushing, regular flossing, routine checkups and dental scaling are required to keep them protected and unharmed. In either case, it is a dentists call to decide the right course of action for you. Unlike bleeding and swollen gums, receding gums cannot be treated on your own.

There are some symptoms and diseases that cannot be treated by reading books or using products recommended by actors playing doctor in commercials. Gum recession is one such disease. Consult a professional expert if your teeth appear longer than normal or are extremely sensitive to tea or cold water.

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.