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Question:
Recently I noticed that my gums are shrinking down and having a bigger gap between the teeth. Feeling very sensitive when I drink or eat.
I would like to know what causing this gum problem. What should I do to prevent this from getting worse? ...Visitor from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Answer:
The shrinking of the gingivae (gum tissue) is often called recession and is caused by a number of factors.
It may be from grinding of the teeth, similar to removing a pole from the ground, you would wiggle the pole back and fourth thus creating a larger hole. If the pole was near a cliff the dirt that would fall away would be on the side of the cliff. This is why the gum tissue appears to be disappearing from the cheek side more than the roof of the mouth or tongue side.
To help this type of a problem a bite plate which is a piece of acrylic is fabricated to be worn over the teeth during times of clenching and grinding (at night, while reading ,etc.). This will soften the forces on the teeth and make the destructive forces less harmful.
Another reason for the gums to be receding is due to toothbrush abrasion. This is when you are brushing too hard or with a brush that is too firm. Only soft toothbrushes should be used to brush the teeth and gums. As this continues the teeth themselves will get a wedge cut into them and need restorations to correct them.
The most common reason for receding gums is due to periodontal disease. This is when the bacteria in the mouth which lives under the gums starts to eat away at the bone and supporting structures. As the disease progresses the gums get loose from the teeth and start to fade away.
This type of condition can lead to tooth loss and is silent in not having pain until it is too late. The best treatment is to see the dentist who will diagnosis the condition and it's severity and then deep clean the teeth. After the gums are healthy then a gingival graph (gum graft) can be performed which can cover some of the root of the tooth.
Editorial Staff
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