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Gum Recession: A Different Type of Recession

November 11, 2009 - 8:16am 281 reads 0 comments

Like our current economic recession, gum recession doesn’t happen overnight. Receding gums gradually happen from day to day over the years. Gum recession usually strikes adults over the age of 40 however it can begin in the teen years.

Gum recession symptoms may include “long in the tooth” where the tooth appears longer than normal or the spaces between teeth seem to grow. Other gum recession symptoms include hypersensitive teeth, the roots of the tooth are exposed and visible, the tooth feels notched at the gum line, change in the tooth’s color, and cavities below the gum line.

Gum recession has many causes. Some causes are over-aggressive brushing, inadequate brushing or flossing, eating disorders, dipping tobacco, grinding of the teeth (bruxism), orthodontic movement of teeth, piercings in the lip or tongue and sensitivity to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS - an ingredient in most commercial toothpastes).

It is critical to identify the cause and severity in arriving at treatments. For optimal results, treatments need to focus on the patients’ lifestyle, habits and current oral health condition.

Treatment should start with addressing the problem which caused the gum recession.

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