Soft Gums & Inflammation: Gingival Recession Revelations
Gum Disease Manifests As Inflammation, Recession, & Bleeding
If you are experiencing soft gums, inflammation, bleeding, and/or receding gums around your teeth you have periodontal disease. It is very common for adults and older individuals right around the world. Indeed, it is the major dental issue plaguing people everywhere. Why is this so? Some of the main causes identified are:
• Smoking
• Dry mouth from medications
• Aggressive brushing
• Diabetes
• Hormonal changes for women
• Neglect of oral care
• Alcohol & drug abuse
Periodontal Disease Undermines Teeth & Oral Health
Gum disease makes tooth decay and loss much more prevalent. The build up of bad bacteria and plaque on and around teeth undermines their soundness. Neglecting your oral hygiene dramatically speeds up the degeneration process for your teeth and gums. No longer is it merely normal wear and tear but a far greater deteriorating process is underway. You are on the fast track to needing what we used to call false teeth.
Gum Disease & Gingival Recession
“Gingival recession is represented by atrophic periodontal changes. The term “atrophy” makes reference to all processes of cell lesion characterised by a decrease in volume and cell population of a given organ or tissue, resulting from sublethal cell aggression, such as hypoxia, mechanical compression, local reduced vascularisation, among others. Sublethal cell aggression is essentially reversible. Atrophic cells have a decrease in volume, they eat themselves up and cause their structural components as well as their organelles to be digested. Thus, their level of energy consumption is reduced and they are able to survive within a hostile environment. Once the causal factor is removed, the process ceases and the number and size of cells might be restored to normal levels; however, it all depends on the severity of tissue lesion and the type of tissue involved.”
– NCBI.gov
When your gums recede back from your teeth it is a loss of tissue and cells. A process of atrophy takes place, where cells eat themselves up to the detriment of your oral health. A hostile environment has been created by your behaviour, diet, neglect, and/or life changes. The good news is that in some cases it is reversible.
See your dentist for a consultation is the first and best course of action in getting to terms with gum disease in its many forms. If after a check up with your dentist you are reliably informed that trauma from aggressive tooth brushing is at the root of your receding gums, then, you can make changes to your technique. Too many of us clean our teeth mindlessly, doing it by rote and not paying enough attention to what we are doing. It is, as if, the act of brushing is enough, never mind the damage being done by too much force being applied in the wrong areas. Men are usually more likely to fall under this category believing brute force is the best way. Misguided self-afflicted trauma to the gums around teeth is a common cause of gum recession. The solution is to spend some time researching the correct technique for tooth brushing rather than sawing away at it with mindless force. Mouths are full of soft tissue and are delicate places. Teeth may superficially appear hard but in actual fact require gentle brushing and polishing for best results.
Lubrication Of The Oral Cavity
Keeping your mouth moist with saliva via sips of pure water will go a long way to improving your oral hygiene care. Drink water more often than all other drinks for better health. Treat your mouth with respect by limiting what you put in it. Vaping, smoking, excessive alcohol, too much caffein, drugs and medications all adversely affect your oral cavity. Dry mouth produces more bad bacteria and plaque, which causes periodontal disease, tooth decay and loss. Diet is a major contributor to either good or poor oral health. Regular mouth washing with pure water will assist your oral hygiene. Combine this with appropriate gentle daily brushing and regular visits to your dentist for best results.
Dental Solutions For Receding Gums
“Mild gum recession may be able to be treated by your dentist by deep cleaning the affected area. During the deep cleaning — also called tooth scaling and root planing — plaque and tartar that has built up on the teeth and root surfaces below the gum line is carefully removed and the exposed root area is smoothed to make it more difficult for bacteria to attach itself.”
– WebMD.com
There are, of course, incidents of gum recession which involve bone loss and far more complex causal phenomena. In these cases surgery involving grafting membrane, tissue, or tissue stimulating protein may be performed to regenerate the lost supporting tissue and bone. Initially the dentist will fold back the gum tissue and remove the existing bacteria before doing the grafting. There are wonderful new developments occurring at the pointy end of dentistry in the 21C. Regrowing tissue is at the forefront of many of the therapeutic breakthroughs happening in dentistry today.
Changing Attitudes & Understanding Around Gum Recession
Dentists used to believe that gum recession was a natural part of ageing and something that needed to be accepted. This is no longer the case, as we have pulled back the curtain to have a closer look at the causes of gingival recession in 40+ year old human beings. We now know that there are things that we can do to arrest the condition and regrow the tissue around teeth. If you have:
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Soft gums
• Loose teeth
• Exposed tooth roots
• Shrinking gums
• Painful gums
• Swollen gums
Make an appointment to see your dentist and begin the remedial action to arrest further development. Talk with your dentist and discuss your feelings about the state of your gums and what you can do about it. Soft gums and inflammation: Gingival recession revelations can open the door for positive therapeutic solutions.
Disclaimer: The material posted is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary with each patient. Any dental procedure carries risks and benefits. If you have any specific questions about any dental and/or medical matter, you should consult your dentist, physician or other professional healthcare providers.
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