Gum recession can be an alarming discovery when you look in the mirror and notice your teeth appearing longer than before. This common dental concern affects many adults and happens when the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, revealing more of the tooth or its root. While the condition might seem purely cosmetic at first, untreated gum recession can lead to sensitivity, decay, and even tooth loss. Fortunately, modern periodontal treatments offer effective solutions to halt recession and restore your healthy smile.
At David Eskow, DDS Family Practice, our team understands the importance of addressing gum recession promptly and effectively. With Dr. Stanart, our skilled periodontist, right here in our practice, we provide comprehensive periodontal care tailored to your specific needs. Our commitment to using the most innovative techniques and technology ensures you receive the most comfortable and successful treatment possible, helping you maintain optimal oral health for years to come.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Gum recession develops from various factors, and understanding the causes helps in both prevention and treatment planning. Aggressive brushing remains one of the most common culprits, as using a hard-bristled toothbrush or applying excessive pressure can gradually wear away gum tissue. Periodontal disease, marked by bacterial infection and inflammation, destroys the supporting structures of teeth, including gums and bone. Genetic predisposition is also a factor, as some individuals naturally have thinner or more fragile gum tissue.
Additional contributing factors include tobacco use, which restricts blood flow to the gums and impedes healing, and hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause that increase gum sensitivity. Teeth grinding (bruxism) places excessive force on teeth and supporting tissues, accelerating recession. Poor oral hygiene enables plaque and tartar to build up along the gumline, making an environment where bacteria thrive and damage occurs.
Risk Factors to Monitor
Certain lifestyle choices and conditions increase your likelihood of developing gum recession:
- Crooked or misaligned teeth that create uneven pressure
- Lip or tongue piercings that repeatedly rub against the gums
- Inadequate dental care or infrequent professional cleanings
- Vitamin C deficiency, which weakens gum tissue
- Diabetes affects blood flow and healing capacity
- Previous orthodontic treatment that may have thinned the gum tissue
A periodontist brings specialized expertise to diagnosing and treating gum recession, going beyond what a general dentist might observe during routine examinations. The diagnostic process involves a complete evaluation of your gum health, including measuring the depth of gum pockets around the teeth using a periodontal probe. This painless procedure helps determine the extent of tissue loss and identifies areas requiring intervention.
Digital imaging and intraoral photography provide detailed views of your gum tissue, allowing the periodontist to document current conditions and track changes over time. They examine factors such as gum thickness, tooth positioning, and the presence of any contributing habits or conditions. X-rays reveal underlying bone levels, helping determine whether recession has affected the supporting structures beneath the gums.
The periodontist also evaluates your bite alignment and checks for signs of grinding or clenching that might contribute to recession. They assess your current oral hygiene routine and may recommend modifications to prevent further damage. This thorough diagnostic approach ensures treatment addresses not just the visible recession but also its underlying causes.
Treatment Options Offered by Periodontists
Modern periodontics offers several effective treatments for gum recession, each tailored to the severity and specific characteristics of your condition. The choice of treatment relies on factors including the extent of recession, the amount of remaining gum tissue, and your overall oral health status.
Non-Surgical Treatments
For mild recession cases, non-surgical approaches may successfully halt progression and improve gum health. Deep cleaning methods, including scaling and root planing, remove bacterial deposits below the gum line and smooth root surfaces to encourage the reattachment of gum tissue. The periodontist may apply antimicrobial medications directly to affected areas to eliminate infection and promote healing.
Custom-fitted night guards address recession caused by grinding or clenching, distributing forces evenly, and protecting both teeth and gums from further damage. The periodontist provides detailed instruction on modified brushing techniques using soft-bristled brushes and demonstrates proper flossing methods to maintain gum health without causing additional trauma.
Surgical Interventions
When recession has progressed beyond what non-surgical methods can address, periodontal surgery offers predictable and lasting results. Gum grafting procedures transplant tissue from elsewhere in your mouth (often the palate) or use donor tissue to cover exposed roots and increase gum thickness. This not only improves aesthetics but also protects roots from decay and reduces sensitivity.
The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique represents a minimally invasive alternative to traditional grafting. Through tiny entry points, the periodontist gently repositions existing gum tissue to cover exposed areas, eliminating the need for sutures or grafts. This innovative approach typically results in less discomfort and faster healing compared to conventional methods.
For cases involving bone loss, guided tissue regeneration uses special membranes and growth factors to encourage your body to rebuild lost bone and gum tissue. These advanced techniques can restore support for teeth that might otherwise require extraction.
The Benefits of Seeking Periodontal Care
Professional periodontal treatment provides numerous advantages beyond simply covering exposed roots. Addressing recession promptly prevents further tissue loss and protects against root decay, which progresses more rapidly than decay on tooth crowns. Treatment eliminates or significantly reduces tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet foods, improving your daily comfort and quality of life.
Restored gum tissue enhances the appearance of your smile, eliminating the “long tooth” look that often accompanies gum recession. More importantly, healthy gums provide essential support for teeth, reducing mobility and the risk of tooth loss. Periodontal treatment also contributes to overall health, as research links gum disease to systemic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
The specialized care provided by a periodontist ensures optimal treatment outcomes through their advanced training and access to the latest techniques and technologies.
Take Action to Protect Your Gums with Expert Periodontal Care
Gum recession requires prompt attention to prevent progression and protect your oral health. Early intervention offers the best outcomes, often requiring less invasive treatments and preserving more of your natural tissue. If you’ve noticed changes in your gumline, increased sensitivity, or have concerns about your periodontal health, don’t wait to seek professional evaluation.At our practice, we combine expertise with compassion to provide exceptional periodontal care in a comfortable environment. Our team takes time to explain your condition, discuss all treatment options, and build a plan that fits your needs and goals. We’re proud to have earned recognition as a Top Dentist in 2022, 2023, and 2025, reflecting our commitment to excellence in all aspects of dental care. Contact us today at (301) 774-2000 or visit our contact form to schedule your periodontal consultation and take the first step toward healthier gums.