I don’t go to the dentist much, mostly because they terrify me. However, lately, I’ve noticed my gums seem to be disappearing and going upward. Is this a dental emergency? My gums look healthy other than that. They’re the right color and I’ve only had one cavity in my entire life. I don’t know what’s going on.
Amber
Dear Amber,
You Don’t Have to Fear the Dentist
It sounds like you’re describing receding gums. There are several causes for this. The two main ones are gum disease and aggressive brushing.
A Dentist Can Help Find the Cause of Recessive Gums
Gum Disease
A dental exam can tell you right away if the cause is gum disease. This is the most serious reason for gum recession and it needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. If left untreated, it will lead to your teeth becoming loose and falling out. Then, you’ll need tooth replacement procedures such as dental implants.
I do realize you have dental anxiety. I’d like to help you with that. There are quite a few dentists these days who offer dental sedation. It is a huge help to patients who would rather be anywhere else than a dental chair. It’s so helpful, in fact, that many patients simply sleep through their appointments. Finding a compassionate sedation dentist can switch dental appointments from being something you dread to a time where you look forward to a nice nap.
Aggressive Brushing
If you use a hard bristled brush or press down too hard while brushing your teeth, this can also cause your gums to recede. It wears them down a little at a time.
Pinhole Technique to Restore Gums
There’s a fairly simple solution to restore your gums. There’s a pinhole gum surgical technique which is scalpel-free and suture-free. It’s patient-friendly and you can get back to your life much quicker because you don’t have the same type of healing time needed with more traditional surgical techniques.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. David Pumphrey.
