Recession

Recession, or receding gums, may make you feel like the teeth look as though they have got longer.

The appearance of a healthy mouth sees pink gums that have a consistent gum line encasing the teeth.

About This Condition

Recession can occur when the gum becomes red and inflamed.

The gum tissue can start to wear away and the tooth (or teeth) become more exposed. Keeping an eye on the appearance of your smile and maintaining regular dental check-ups can help to detect if the gums are beginning to recede, as the condition can develop at a silent slow pace.

Receding gums is a sign of gum disease or aggressive toothbrushing techniques.You may also find the teeth are sensitive as the root of the tooth is exposed which doesn’t have an enamel protecting it.

There are several causes of recession, including:

The ageing process
Poor oral hygiene
Brushing too hard
Smoking
Trauma or injury
Tooth grinding
Poor fitting dentures
Misaligned teeth
Gum disease

The best person to see for gum recession is a periodontist who is a gum specialist.

The condition cannot be reversed, but it can be prevented from getting worse. You may be advised upon a more rigorous dental routine, using a daily mouth rinse and interdental brushes, as well as being given regular deep cleaning treatments by the hygienist. In more severe cases it may be necessary to have a gum graft, to restore lost tissue.

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