Over eighty percent of the adult population experience gum recession. It can be prevented and stopped before it causes pain or discomfort. They key is preventative care to stop it in its tracks. As soon as your gums start to experience problems, seek immediate treatment to reverse the damage.
As a periodontist, Dr. Pechak is an expert at treating gum disease. The first step is to prevent it from ever happening. Good preventative care can keep gums healthy. This is done by brushing after meals, using floss on a daily basis, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria. People can also keep their teeth and gums healthier by drinking plenty of water, not smoking or using tobacco products, eating a healthy diet, and visiting the dentist twice a year. These regular dental exams give our staff the ability to remove bacteria and plaque while Dr. Pechak identifies any signs of gum disease that require further treatment.
Gum disease starts as gingivitis, which is completely treatable and reversible. By removing bacteria from the gum line, gums can regain their natural health. Gum recession is often caused by gum disease that is left untreated. There are additional risk factors such a hormonal changes, using tobacco products, aggressive brushing, and genetics but these can typically be mitigated by regular teeth cleanings. Those that have a greater risk should schedule their cleaning for two or more times per year.
If Dr. Pechak identifies gum recession, he will likely start the treatment by conducting a thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums. This can be done at the surface of the gums unless the bacteria has spread. If so, a procedure called tooth scaling and root planning will be performed. This is where the gum tissue is pulled back, and the bacteria underneath it is removed. Antibiotics can also help to eliminate any lingering bacteria. When the procedure is complete, the gum tissue will be securely placed over the tooth. Tooth scaling and root planning can help to restore the health and functionality of your gums before any more serious intervention is required.
Immediate treatment will prevent your gums from receding further and exposing your tooth, the root system, and bone structure to attacks by viscous bacteria. Gum recession is dangerous due to that simple fact. When the gums recede, other areas are exposed, and pockets are created where the bacteria can accumulate. This puts the health of the tooth and entire mouth at risk. When bacteria attacks the gums and bone it can cause an abscess, an extremely painful condition which can interrupt daily life. An abscess is not something that can be ignored, because when the infection spreads it can get all the way into your neck, creating the need for a surgical procedure to drain out the infection. This is a highly unpleasant scenario that can be avoided by simply treating gum disease and gum recession early.
If you notice that your teeth are more sensitive or appear longer, you may have the early signs of gum recession. If this is the case, call the Perio & Implant Center of the Monterey Bay to schedule an appointment for a dental examination and teeth cleaning.
