Receding Gum Treatment Dr. Stephanie Sfiroudis DDS, MS

One of the most common periodontal conditions in adults is receding gums. The gums recede so gradually over time though that many people are unaware they even have the condition until it becomes severe. Getting proper receding gums treatment in Nassau County will relieve sensitive tooth pain, but also help to prevent much more severe consequences that can occur if the condition goes untreated. Contact Dr. Stephanie Sfiroudis for a free consultation. She can provide you with reliable, pain-free treatment options to get your smile back.

What Are Receding Gums?

There are a number of different reasons that your gums may begin to pull away from your teeth. Periodontal disease, genetic conditions, aggressive brushing habits, hormonal changes and using tobacco products are just a few of the most typical causes. Grinding your teeth and clinching your jaw have even been associated with the gum tissue gradually wearing away at the base of your teeth.

Sensitive teeth are usually one of the first indicators of gum recession, especially if you have not experienced sensitive tooth pain in the past. Your teeth will become increasingly sensitive to both hot and cold foods as more and more of the roots become exposed. If ignored, the pain can become quite substantial, but at first it may just be a mild inconvenience, easy to overlook. The gaps that start to exist at the base of your teeth are known as pockets. These tiny pockets catch bacteria and other mouth particles, which can lead to or worsen existing periodontal disease.

They are the perfect environment for infections to form, which will ultimately cause the pockets to become larger and cause your gums to recede even more. Sometimes you may experience some minor pain or bleeding when you brush your teeth if you irritate the sensitive pockets.

In addition to sensitive teeth and mild bleeding, some other indicators of receding gums are teeth that appear elongated. If recession goes on long enough, it can take quite a toll on your smile, making your gum line appear uneven or your teeth look much larger than they were. The changes in your appearance are quite gradual, so they're very hard to notice until they reach an extreme point. You may be able to feel a small notch at your gum line around one or more of your teeth with your tongue or finger. In extreme cases you can even see the notch as your gums pull farther away.

Why Is It Important To Treat Receding Gums?

Receding gum treatment in Nassau County is important to keep your smile looking great and protect your oral health for years to come. Ignoring gum recession can actually lead to your teeth becoming loose and falling out or your teeth needing to be extracted. Sensitive tooth pain is very easy to ignore at first, but it can become extreme and if your teeth become infected, it can also be extremely painful.

The pockets caused by receding gums at the base of your teeth create an ideal location for bacteria to collect. This can lead to infections and periodontal disease. As your body attempts to fight the infection, your immune system often takes a toll on the connective tissues holding your teeth in place, causing them to loosen. Your jaw bone may also be worn away and you can experience significant bone loss, which will loosen your teeth as well. If you hope to keep all of your teeth as you age, you really should not put off gum recession treatment.

What Is The Treatment Process For Receding Gums?

The damage caused by receding gums is usually repaired with a minimally invasive gum grafting surgery. Along with this surgery to get your smile back and cover your roots, any pre-existing condition that lead to your gum recession will also need to be treated. You may need to stop smoking and adjust your eating habits as well as make changes to your daily oral care.

Before you can receive a gum graft, you should have tartar removed by scaling. You may also require another non-surgical procedure called root plating, which will smooth out uneven areas on your teeth. This helps get rid of excess bacteria that already exists and helps prevent future infections that can cause your gums to recede again.

Gum grafting can be performed using your own gum tissue, tissue from the palate of your mouth, or from donor tissue. It is not a painful procedure and you can come home immediately afterward. It usually only involves a local anesthetic agent to numb the area and a few very small stitches. Your gums heal very quickly and you can get back to work the day following a gum graft with no problems at all.

What Is Recovery Like?

Recovery following the treatment of receding gums is generally painless. Gum recession itself is much more painful than treatment. Dealing with periodontal disease early is typically non-surgical, and gum grafting is an outpatient procedure that is completely healed in just a few weeks. Any soreness, pain or swelling after treatment is minimal to non-existent. Mild pain and swelling can be easily taken care of with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.

The longer you put off getting receding gums treated the more extensive the surgeries will become. You may require bone grafts to repair bone loss along with tissue grafts. And again, it may lead to you losing your teeth, which takes a huge toll on your physical appearance and affects many other aspects of your daily life such as your digestion and chewing as well as how you speak.

Get a Free Consultation

If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms of receding gums, then you should Contact Dr. Stephanie Sfiroudis right away about receding gums treatment in Nassau County. All of your questions can be answered in a free consultation, and your gums can be assessed so the best course of action can be determined. Almost all insurance programs are accepted and the office will take care of the paperwork. Also ask about potential financing options to see if you qualify.

Receding gum treatment is important to keep your smile looking great and protect your oral health for years to come. Ignoring gum recession can actually lead to your teeth becoming loose and falling out or your teeth needing to be extracted.