(801) 331-8545
785 E 200 S #1 Lehi, UT 84043
Gum Recession Treatment in Lehi
Managing Gum Recession
Identifying the Cause of the Gum Recession
- Gum disease- This is when the bacteria gets in the gums and is the main cause of periodontitis. The bacteria can make the gums recede and cause bone loss or the loss of teeth.
- Aggressive brushing- Brushing too hard can affect the gums and make them recede.
- Not enough dental care- Not coming into the appointments every 3-4 months can cause a build-up of tartar and bacteria. Leaving this untreated can cause the gums to get infected and end in receding gums.
- Genetics- Some patients are more prone to getting periodontal disease because of their genetics.
- Hormonal change- Hormones can fluctuate, making the gums more susceptible to a receding gumline. This is most common in women during puberty or pregnancy.
- Tobacco use- Patients who use tobacco are more likely to get gum recession due to the chemicals in the tobacco.
- Grinding and clenching- Grinding and clenching can put more pressure on the teeth, which can lead to gum recession.
- Misaligned teeth or malocclusion- crooked or misaligned teeth can put more pressure on the teeth, which can lead to gum recession.
Treatment Options
- Scaling and root planing- This type of teeth cleaning gets deep below the gumline, cleaning out all the tartar and bacteria. This procedure will help with cleaning out each gum socket, help reduce the recession, and promote healthy gum tissue growth.
- Gum graft- The different types of gum grafts are connective tissue, free gingivitis, and pedicle grafts. Each of these gum graft procedures will help promote the growth of healthy gum tissue. The dentist will be able to go over which option is best for your specific case.
- Regenerative procedures- The dentist will use this when the jawbone is receding. These types of procedures will help clean out all of the tartar and bacteria to stop the bone recession and create a healthier area.
- Orthodontics- Shifting the teeth into the perfect alignment can be a great way to stop the pressure being put on the teeth and help stop the recession.
Prevention and Maintenance
- Regular checkups and cleanings- Attending your regular checkups and cleanings will help prevent or maintain the disease at a healthy level.
- Brushing correctly- Make sure that you use the correct brushing technique to help protect the gums from the build-up of tartar and food particles in between the teeth.
- Lifestyle modifications- Changing some of your lifestyle habits can be a great way to prevent disease and maintain the health of your gums. This could include managing stress, quitting smoking, and eating the right foods.
- Mouth guards- Wearing a mouth guard is a great way to prevent the teeth from putting too much pressure on the gums. This can be helpful, especially for patients who grind their teeth.
Common Myths
Myth: Gum recession is only a cosmetic issue.
Fact: The look and health of your gums directly affects the look and health of your teeth. Ensuring you are keeping good oral health is the key to keeping a bright healthy smile. If left untreated, recession of the gums can cause other serious issues.
Myth: Gum recession is an unavoidable part of aging.
Fact: It is normal to see some gum recession as you get older, but if you have good oral hygiene, this can prevent or slow the process.
Myth: Once gums have receded, they cannot be restored.
Fact: There are specific procedures that are available to help restore healthy gums and stop the recession. But make sure you are maintaining good oral health, as this has a huge effect on the health of your gums.
Give our office a call to schedule an appointment with our periodontist at (801) 331-8545.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gum recession is the process where the gums next to the teeth wear down or pull back, which exposes the roots of the teeth. If left untreated, this can cause other dental issues to arise.
The first sign of gum recession is tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold, or noticing that a tooth looks slightly longer than normal. There should be an indentation that you can feel to show that the root of the tooth is now showing.
Gum recession is a serious condition that should be treated right away. If left untreated, this can cause other serious dental issues such as bone loss, tooth loss, etc.
There are many treatments available for gum recession. The type of treatment needed, and the severity of the gum recession will determine what treatment is needed. It’s best to talk with the dentist to see what option is best for your specific case.
This procedure replaces the loss of tissue around teeth and improves your overall oral health. This will help cover exposed roots and promote the healthy growth of the gum tissue.
In some cases, gum recession cannot be avoided, this can be due to genetics. However, there are steps that you can take to help reduce the risk of gum recession. This can include good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing a minimum of twice a day, stopping the use of tobacco, and going to your regular checkups and cleanings.
There are many risks if you are not choosing to get treated for gum recession. This can include loose teeth, gum recession, bleeding, bad breath, and bone loss. When the roots of the teeth are exposed, it leaves more risk for infection and tooth decay.
Recovering from a gum graft procedure will depend on each patient and the treatment you receive. Usually, patients recover from a gum graft procedure anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
This will depend on the insurance company and the type of plan you have. Our insurance team will do our best to go over your benefits, but its best to check with your insurance provider to go over specific details of coverage.
After a gum recession procedure, it’s important to maintain good oral health habits by brushing and flossing at least twice daily, quitting smoking, and following the periodontist’s after-care instructions.
BOOKING HOURS
M 8-5 | Tu 7-12 | Wed 8-5 | Th 8-5 | Fr 7-3
We are OPEN for ALL dental care procedures and emergency needs. Protecting the health and safety of our patients, families, and team members remains our number one priority.
Free $50 Gift Card*
$50 Gift Card when you complete an appointment with us!
*Redeemable after completed paid treatment. Must be a new patient our organization (all locations). The patient will receive a gift card via email or SMS after completion of their appointment. Cannot be combined with other offers or dental discount plans.
Free Exam & X-rays^
For New Patients without insurance we offer Free Exam and X-rays!
^For New Patients that do not have dental insurance. New patients must be 18 or older to receive free exam and x-rays. Discounts cannot be combined with other offers or dental discount plans. Additional fees may be included in individual cases.
$99 Hygiene Visit^^
For New Patients without insurance we offer Free Exam and X-rays!
^^For new patients without dental insurance. Includes Exam, X-Ray and Routine Cleaning. A Periodontal Cleaning requires additional fees, and rescheduled for further treatment. Cannot be combined with other offers or dental discount plans.
Platinum Dental of Lehi
