Gum Recession Specialist
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Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants
Periodontics & Implant Dentistry located in Gulfport, MS now serving patients in Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Long Beach, Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian, MS
Receding gums is a condition that can result in tooth loss if not taken care of on time. Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants offers patients the highest quality of care in a comfortable, welcoming environment. If you’re interested in evaluating and treating your condition, call the Gulfport, Mississippi office to arrange your visit with the empathetic specialists now.
Gum Recession Q&A
What is gum recession?
Gum recession means your gums wear away to expose a larger amount of the tooth crown (the white part of your tooth). Receding gums can create an overly toothy smile and can also threaten the stability of your teeth.
As gum recession worsens, teeth may loosen and eventually fall out without treatment. That’s why you need regular dental checkups and good oral health care at home.
What causes gum recession?
There are many causes of receding gums, with the most common being:
- Advanced periodontal disease (periodontitis)
- Rough tooth brushing
- Using a hard-bristle toothbrush
- Trauma, such as a sports injury to the mouth
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Structural problems like prominent tooth roots
- Inherited thin or weak gums
- Poorly fitted partial dentures
- Orthodontic treatment
Sometimes a few factors may contribute to gum recession, leading to rapid gum tissue loss and threatening your oral health.
What are the symptoms of gum recession?
When gum recession develops slowly, you might not immediately notice it when you look in the mirror. However, you may have increased sensitivity to cold and sugary foods.
Eventually, you'll notice that your teeth look longer and more prominent than they used to. If your gum recession is severe, you may have loose teeth or increased space between your teeth.
Gum recession is clear during an oral exam, and it's one of the many issues that your dentist checks for during your regular checkups. One common sign of gum recession is tooth root cavities, which grow faster than crown cavities.
Another problem associated with gum recession is bone loss, which appears on X-rays and CT scans. As your gums wear away, the bone underneath shrinks as well. This further compromises tooth stability and may present a problem if you need dental implants.
How is gum recession treated?
Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants offers LANAP, a cutting-edge laser procedure that treats gum recession and other problems associated with periodontal disease.
LANAP treatment destroys bacteria and diseased tissue and creates an optimal clean root surface where your gums can reattach. This unique approach is scientifically proven to stimulate gum tissue and bone regeneration, making it an effective choice for gum recession treatment.
In severe cases of gum recession, you may need gum grafting treatment. In this procedure, a small section of gum tissue from another part of your mouth, like the roof of your mouth, moves to cover the area of gum recession.
If you have poor jawbone density due to gum recession and tooth loss, a bone grafting procedure followed by dental implants can restore your tooth and prevent further gum and bone loss.
Learn more about gum recession treatments by calling Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants today!
