I’m hoping my gums can be fixed but don’t know who to see about it. I noticed today when brushing my teeth that the gums are higher than they should be with some of my teeth. I don’t know why, but I can see what I think may be bone or roots or something. Not much, just a bit. do I see a dentist? A cosmetic surgeon? Are there gum specialists? I’m lost here.
Dana
Dear Dana,
A healthy smile is attractive and brings confidence
It’s great that you’re attentive to your smile and catching this early. How you proceed from here depends on the cause of your gum recession. Sometimes it is simply a matter of brushing too hard. Make sure you are using a soft bristled tooth brush and don’t put too much pressure on your teeth. It’s actually more effective to brush gently. When you press hard, it just smashes the bristles. Instead of using the tips of them, you now have the flat sides doing the work.
The second cause is gum disease. This is much more serious because it is progressive. In its most advanced stages, your teeth will fall out.
While many general dentists can treat gum disease, I recommend you see a periodontist. They have more training and can provide additional treatment options. The first priority will be treating the gum disease in order to protect you and prevent any further loss of tissue. After that’s under control you have some treatments available to repair the appearance of your gums.
Treating Receding Gums
Catching this early is a huge benefit because it gives you a non-surgical option for repairing your gum line. The pinhole surgical technique is an ideal solution. It is a scalpel and suture free way of having your gums repaired.
It is a recent advancement in gum treatments so very few dentists are trained in it. You’ll even find you’ll have to ask periodontists if they’re trained in it. However, if they keep up in their field, there shouldn’t be a problem finding a periodontist who’s trained in this patient-friendly procedure.
In some cases, the gum disease is so far progressed that this procedure is impossible. In that case, gum surgery is necessary, but it will still repair your gums. It’s just a little more invasive.
Before we jump any guns, let’s find out why your gums have receded.
This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.
