Receding gums are usually associated with periodontal disease, an advanced form of gum disease. While gum disease affects nearly half of adult Americans between the ages of 3-65, it is often untreated until more serious symptoms present themselves. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent gum disease and treat it if symptoms have set in. Learn what your Eustis, FL periodontist Dr. Joseph P. Richardson can do to treat, heal and restore receding gums.
What are Receding Gums?
When your gums recede, they pull back away from the teeth. Over time your gums can pull back to the point where the roots of the teeth are exposed. In the meantime, pockets develop around the tooth, creating bacteria breeding grounds. The more gums recede without treatment, the greater the chance of tooth loss and other complications becomes.
Taking Care of Your Gums
Taking care of your gums is a very important part of your overall dental health. Periodontal disease is a serious dental condition that can affect both your oral and overall health. This type of infection can spread if not properly treated by your local periodontist.
Treating Receding Gums
The initial treatment for receding gums due to periodontal disease is a thorough cleaning called scaling and root planing. Plaque containing bad bacteria is removed from along the gumline to give gum tissue a chance to regenerate. If that doesn’t work, periodontal surgery may be necessary to restore the gums to good health. If your gums have already receded to the root, gingival grafting may be necessary. Gingival grafting procedures can reverse this damage and improve the long-term prognosis of the tooth.
Schedule an Appointment with a Periodontist
The effects of receding gums can be reversed with periodontal treatment by Dr. Joseph P. Richardson. A complete intraoral exam and consultation will allow Dr. Richardson to prescribe the treatment that has the largest likelihood of success with the least amount of discomfort. Call Richardson Periodontics & Implant Dentistry today to schedule a consultation if you’re concerned with the looks or health of your gums.
Eustis Office: (352) 589-1973