Receding Gums: Causes, Consequences and Treatments

‍

Gum recession is a common oral health concern, with varied causes and consequences that go beyond esthetics. In this article, we will explore the main causes of gingival recession, its impact on oral health and the treatment options available at Clínica Durán.

Causes of gum recession:

Gingival recession can be attributed to several factors, such as poor brushing technique, plaque and tartar buildup, chronic inflammatory gum disease, smoking, bruxism and poor orthodontic practices. It is important to note that this condition is multifactorial, with a combination of causes that may contribute to its development.

Prevalence of the problem of gum recession:

Gum recession is becoming increasingly common in dental practice. This clinical finding is frequent and requires careful attention to prevent further complications.

Impact on Oral Health:

From a physiological point of view, gum recession appears as a process of aging of the mouth, but this can occur at any age, being of vital importance to diagnose the causes that have accelerated this process in order to act on them and stop the process. 

Gingival recession not only affects oral esthetics, but can also have consequences on oral health. In addition to causing tooth sensitivity, the exposure of tooth roots increases the risk of caries and can lead to premature tooth loss.

Other symptoms may be the appearance of tooth sensitivity, root exposure and the appearance of cavities in these areas, etc., which could accelerate tooth loss. 

Treatment Options:

While prevention is essential, once gum recession occurs, an appropriate therapeutic approach is necessary. Regular dental checkups allow the problem to be detected and addressed early. However, once gum tissue has been lost, it cannot be reversed without surgical intervention.

Gingival Recovery Surgery:

There are different surgical techniques that are determined by individualizing the treatment to each patient, being less and less invasive and generating better postoperative results. The realization of microsurgical techniques with a magnified vision allows us to have increasingly predictable results.

Aftercare:

After surgery, immediate care after this type of intervention is essential for the desired result. 

Careful cleaning of the area without mechanical movements is key so that the patient cannot move tissue that we have just replaced in the right place. The application of gels with chlorhexidine and hyaluronic acid are a very good option in the days immediately after surgery.

And of course, not reproducing the factors that led to the appearance of the retraction is the key to maintaining the result in the long term.

‍