Common Causes of Gum Recession

Gum recession can be extremely scary and painful to experience. However, there is really no need to worry if you're willing to seek out the treatment you need to stop the gum recession immediately. In the meantime, there are several steps you can take while you are still at home that may serve as an effective way to stop the gum recession or at least limit it until you have the ability to visit our clinic. If you do have gum recession. you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible to discuss our non-invasive solutions. Coming in to consult with us will allow us to address any oral health matters and find out what other health measures need to be taken in order to stop and reverse your gum recession. Gum recession is a relatively common occurrence and can happen to anybody for any number of reasons. Gingival recession, also known as gum recession, is the process by which the gum tissue is recessed and lowers its position on the tooth. When this happens, the roots of the teeth can become exposed. Life habits, genetics, and tooth positioning can all influence gingival recession.

Causes of Gum Recession 

Overly aggressive brushing and flossing of your teeth can actually lead to gum recession. According to the Journal of Periodontology, you need to make sure you are brushing and not scrubbing your teeth. It is a common myth that you need to use an extremely hard bristle toothbrush to get your teeth properly clean. As a matter of fact, the American Dental Association highly recommends using a medium to soft toothbrush, because an overly hard toothbrush can damage your teeth and gums.

One of the most common causes of gum recession comes from your genetics. Your gums' characteristics are determined by your DNA, and if one or more of your parents have gum recession, you stand an extremely high chance of also having the condition. In addition to your genetics, you may have abnormal tooth positioning, which can also lead to gum recession because the teeth are not in proper alignment with each other. Naturally, good oral health habits, having a dental relationship that involves coming into the clinic at least once every six months, and keeping an eye on your gums can help offset and even restrict this condition from occurring.

Did you know that grinding your teeth in the night, a condition commonly known as bruxism, can actually lead to gum recession as well? If you find that you often wake up in the morning with a headache, or have been told by a significant other that you grind your teeth in your sleep, you will want to consult with your dentist. Bruxism is actually an extremely common condition and can be easily and comfortably treated with the help of a mouth guard or using one of many other options available.

Trauma to your gums as a result of an accident can result in the gums receding, but by far the most common reason why people tend to experience this condition is as a result of poor oral health.  Fortunately, we can improve your oral health and treat your gum recession in our clinic.  Call our office to schedule your treatment today.

Periodontist  >  Laser Dentistry

Dental Implants in Monterey Are the Best Way to Replace Teeth: Compare Your Options

Dental implants in Monterey are the best way to replace teeth that have been lost because they allow you to have a solution that looks, feels, and acts exactly the same as your natural teeth. There was a time, not so long ago, when people who lost their teeth had very limited options for replacing them. Most people would choose to replace the teeth with dentures. While dentures as a solution were very good for the time period, dental implants in Monterey have long since surpassed them by way of being more convenient and a better option for people to replace their lost teeth.

Comparing Solutions 

When you stop to examine dental implants in Monterey vs. dentures you will immediately realize the advantages that dental implants in Monterey provide you with. The first and most obvious advantage is that, unlike dentures, dental implants are a permanent solution that cannot be removed and do not need to be removed in order to be cleaned.  Dentures have to be removed on a regular basis for cleaning which means that you are taking your teeth out of your mouth, cleaning them, putting them in a solution, and then replacing them hoping that the adhesive you use will hold them in place. You have none of these challenges with dental implants.

Understanding the Solution

There is a common misconception that the tooth you see is actually the dental implant. Dental implants in Monterey are actually the tiny post which is underneath the tooth that you see on top of the gum. The visible tooth is actually called a dental crown and is a perfect replica of the tooth we are replacing. Dental crowns can be placed even if you do not have a dental implant. The dental implant itself is a tiny titanium screw which is directly placed into the jaw bone. This tiny screw acts in lieu of your tooth root and provides the jaw bone with the stimulus necessary for growth and development. In addition, because the dental implant is placed directly into the jaw bone it provides an extraordinarily safe and secure way for your dental crown to be attached. What this means in layman's terms is that when you get dental implants, you are getting a product that is an identical man-made replica of your naturally occurring teeth, complete with the root structure.
As we mentioned earlier, dental implants are a permanent solution. Once the tooth has been placed, it is not going to need to be taken out, replaced, or specially cleaned for the duration of its life cycle. From the perspective of oral hygiene, this also gives you a leg up over dentures. With dental implants, all you need to do is brush your teeth, and the dental implants will be clean just like your natural teeth will. So for people who want a convenient, secure, long-lasting solution to tooth loss, dental implants are definitely the way to go. If you have thought about getting dental implants, have questions about them, or want to find out if you will be a great candidate for dental implants in Monterey you should call us to schedule a consultation today.

Cosmetic Dentist  >  Implant Dentistry