Receding Gums

At Kennerly Dental Group, we take great pride in helping our patients achieve optimal oral health, including teeth, gums and surrounding bone structure. Receding gums are one of the more common dental conditions and can be caused by several factors:

Age (older patients tend to experience these symptoms more frequently than younger patients)
Excessive wear of the teeth, also known as abrasion (this is most common among patients who aggressively brush their teeth or use a hard bristled toothbrush)
Bone loss (which can cause the loss of gum tissue attachment)
Malocclusion (an incorrect bite alignment that can cause teeth to flex and lead to deterioration of surrounding gum tissue)
Poor filling or crown margins (which can result in gum irritation and loss of attachment)

As with most dental ailments, the sooner you seek treatment for gum recession the better your long term prognosis. By proactively scheduling routine cleanings and checkups, our dentists will be able to keep close tabs on your oral health and can usually spot early signs of receding gums before you even notice any symptoms or discomfort.

Loss of gum tissue or a receding gum line can lead to additional dental issues, such as increased sensitivity to extreme temperatures, root decay or an aesthetically unappealing “toothy” smile, if not treated. There is no magical receding gums cure, but after a consultation with our dental experts, we will provide you with a treatment plan that is geared specifically to your symptoms, condition and any underlying issues.

Recommended actions may include one or more of the following:

Modification of ill-fitting restoration margins
Correction of malocclusion or incorrect bite
Soft tissue laser therapy
Fluoride treatment
Gum tissue graft (for the most serious cases)

Though semi-annual appointments with your dentist will certainly help prevent gum recession, if you do notice that your gums have started to recede or you are experiencing any other dental symptoms, we encourage you to give Kennerly Dental Group a call, (314) 842-5177, and schedule an appointment right away.