Recession of the gums – causes, symptoms, treatment

What is gum recession?

Gum recession is an increasingly common problem that does not only affect older people. It consists in the retreat of the gum line, which leads to the exposure of the roots of the teeth. It's not just a matter of aesthetics — it's a serious condition that can lead to hypersensitivity, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. Although it is often associated with the ageing process, gum recession can appear as early as in people between the ages of 20 and 30. Why is this happening? The main reason is genetics. The thin gum biotype and the delicate structure of the periodontal tissues are more prone to backsliding and genetic predisposition — some people inherit a greater propensity for gum problems. The statistics are alarming: by the age of 64, the problem of gum recession already affects every second person, and in old age it occurs even more often. Although receding gums will not grow back on their own, proper treatment can significantly improve their condition and prevent the problem from getting worse. It is worth acting before it is too late.

What does gum recession look like?

Gum recession is the receding of the gum line, which leads to the exposure of the roots of the teeth. Although it may seem harmless, it is actually a serious health problem — not just an aesthetic one. Exposed tooth roots increase the risk of hypersensitivity and susceptibility to tooth decay.

Most often, gum recession occurs on the labial and cheek side, where the gums are particularly vulnerable to mechanical injuries, improper brushing technique, or hygienic negligence. Contrary to popular belief, the recession is not limited to older people. It is increasingly common in younger patients, especially those who brush their teeth too aggressively, wear poorly fitting braces or have malocclusion.

Recession of the gums also affects the appearance of the face. Exposed teeth appear longer, which can disrupt the proportions of the face and negatively affect self-esteem.

Causes of gum retraction

Recession of the gums, that is, the retreat of their lines, is a problem much more common than you might think. Although the causes may be different, one of the main factors is improper oral hygiene. Contrary to appearances, brushing too hard does not improve the condition of the teeth — quite the opposite. Excessive force when brushing can damage delicate gingival tissues. These microtraumas, although initially imperceptible, lead over time to the gums receding, exposing the tooth necks and increasing susceptibility to hypersensitivity.

An equally important factor is the accumulation of bacterial plaque and tartar. These deposits not only affect the aesthetics of the smile but, above all, provoke inflammation. Inflammation is the first step to more serious periodontal problems. In people with a thin gum biotype, the situation is even more complicated – such gums are extremely sensitive and require special delicacy both when brushing and flossing. Any careless move can aggravate the problem of recession.

It is worth emphasising that not only hygienic negligence is the cause of gum receding. There are a number of other factors that can lead to this problem:

Bruxism—involuntary grinding of teeth, most often during sleep—causes excessive strain on periodontal structures, which can result in gum recession.

• Orthodontic treatment — poorly planned or mismatched braces can irritate soft tissues and lead to their retraction. Sometimes a small correction is enough to avoid serious consequences.

• Incorrect frenulum attachment — Too short or poorly positioned frenulum of the lip or tongue can mechanically “pull” gum tissue, causing it to retract.

Periodontal diseases—such as periodontitis—are not only the result of recession but also its cause. In advanced cases, they can lead to bone loss and weakening of the tooth support, which is a real threat to oral health.

Symptoms of gum recession

Gum recession is a process that develops slowly and often goes unnoticed until the problem becomes serious. It is this invisibility that makes it so dangerous. Symptoms of receding gums can be varied – from subtle discomfort to marked changes in the appearance of teeth and smile. One of the first warning signs is hypersensitivity of the teeth. If you experience stabbing pain when drinking hot drinks or eating ice cream, it could be a sign that the gums are starting to recede, exposing sensitive tooth necks. This should not be ignored – this is the first step to more serious problems.

Other disturbing symptoms include:

• Pain when eating—even soft foods or cold drinks can cause discomfort when the roots of the teeth are exposed.

Bleeding gums — especially when brushing or flossing. Although many people consider this normal, it is often a symptom of inflammation that accompanies a recession.

• Teeth lengthening — Receding gums make teeth appear longer, which can negatively affect the aesthetics of a smile and confidence.

• Cervical cavities — damage to the enamel around the necks of the teeth, which increases the risk of caries and other complications.

Advanced gum recession

Advanced gum recession is when the gum has receded so much that much of the root of the tooth becomes visible, not just its neck. The tooth then looks longer than normal, and the patient often feels a strong hypersensitivity to cold, heat or sweet foods. In more severe cases, there may also be signs of tooth decay, as the retraction of the gum usually goes hand in hand with the loss of the bone that holds the tooth in the alveolus.

In the early stages, the recession is small – the gum recedes a millimetre or two, exposing only a fragment of the neck of the tooth. The patient usually notices mainly a change in appearance and slight sensitivity. In the case of advanced recession, the exposure is much larger, covers the root, and the gum no longer protects the tooth sufficiently. Then, too, the consequences for health and aesthetics become much more serious.

Treatment of gum recession

At the initial stage, the main thing is to stop the process. This includes, above all, improving oral hygiene, gentle brushing with a soft brush and eliminating irritants such as brushing too hard, grinding teeth or poorly fitting prosthetic restorations. Sometimes, just eliminating the cause and proper hygiene is enough for the gums to stabilise and not retreat further.

In more advanced cases, surgical intervention is needed. Dentists and periodontists use different techniques to cover recessions. One of the most commonly used is gum transplantation, which involves moving a piece of gum from the area of the tooth towards its crown so that it covers the exposed root. The second is a gum graft — a piece of tissue is taken, most often from the palate, and placed in the place of recession. As a result, a thicker and stronger gum is formed, which better protects the tooth. Increasingly, instead of taking tissue from the patient, ready-made biomaterials or collagen membranes are used, which reduces discomfort after the procedure.

Such treatment is carried out by a periodontist or dental surgeon under local anaesthesia. The healing process usually takes several weeks, and the result is not only an improvement in the aesthetics of the smile but, above all, a better protection of the tooth against root caries and loss of stability.

In some cases, supportive treatment is also used. It also includes regenerative treatments, in which special membranes or proteins are used to stimulate the restoration of the gum attachment. In less serious cases, treatments that improve aesthetics and protect the tooth from hypersensitivity, such as covering the exposed root with a composite material, can help.

In summary, the treatment of recession may consist of stopping its development, reconstructing the gums surgically, or a combination of both methods. It all depends on how extensive the problem is and what the patient's expectations are — whether it's just to stop the changes from getting worse or to improve appearance and comfort.

How to prevent gum recession?

The key to success is conscious and consistent prevention. However, it is not enough to brush your teeth quickly in the morning and evening – the technique counts. The best results are brought by the sweeping technique, which effectively removes plaque while not irritating the gum line. Incorrect brushing is one of the main causes of recessions.

Equally important is what you clean your teeth with. The basis is a brush with soft bristles, providing comfort and safety, which effectively removes impurities without causing microtrauma. After washing, as well as in the intervals between barking, antibacterial rinses are recommended – they reduce the growth of bacteria and reduce the risk of inflammation that often accompanies gum recession.

Avoid brushing too hard, and do not use dental floss aggressively. Too intensive cleaning can lead to mechanical damage to the gums, which over time results in their receding.

Finally, do not forget about regular visits to the dentist. This is an absolute basis. The dentist will assess the condition of the gums, advise you on how to take better care of them and, if necessary, will suggest appropriate preventive treatments, such as scaling or sandblasting. Healthy gums are not only a beautiful smile but also an investment in health for many years to come.

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