Is your smile looking “toothy”? A guide to gum recession – What it is, why it happens, and what to do about it
Healthy gums are pinkish red (not too dark), firm, and do not hurt when you brush, floss, or touch them. When the gums appear to pull away from your teeth, your smile may appear “toothy.” But the effects of gum recession go beyond the cosmetic. Fortunately, at Advanced Dental of Aliso Viejo, California, you can benefit from the in-house expertise of our board-certified “gum disease specialist” or periodontist, Dr. Joseph C. Yang. Dr. Yang helps protect and restore the appearance and health of the gums that are vital to your teeth and smile.
Bothered by gum recession? Contact us NOW!
Do your teeth look longer than normal? Do you experience tooth sensitivity, especially when drinking or eating hot, cold, or sweet beverages and foods? This may be a sign of gum recession, which is caused by gum disease.
If you live in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, or the surrounding communities in California, and are concerned about changes in the appearance of your smile or the way your teeth and gums feel, schedule an appointment with the Advanced Dental team.
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What is gum recession?
Healthy gums wrap around your teeth securely like a cuff. So, they serve an all-important purpose of holding your teeth in place. However, as gum disease progresses, the attachments between the teeth and these soft tissues break down. The gums begin to pull away or recede from the teeth.
What are the symptoms of gum recession?
As gum recession worsens, your teeth can look longer than normal because the tissue covering them pulls away and exposes more of the white crown. Moreover, receding gums leave the root of the tooth unprotected. Root surfaces don’t have a hard, protective enamel covering (like crowns do). For this reason, people with receding gums may experience tooth sensitivity, especially when they drink or eat sweet, cold, or hot beverages and foods.
What causes the gums to recede?
Gum disease is a leading cause. So, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene at home and professional visits for services like cleanings. Destructive habits such as aggressive brushing and chronic untreated bruxism (teeth grinding) can also erode these essential supportive tissues.
What should I do about this condition?
There are numerous complications associated with gum recession. Do not ignore the signs. For instance, exposed tooth roots are decay-prone, threatening the affected teeth’ overall integrity. As decay progresses, increasingly extensive treatments are required to restore the tooth, and not all teeth can be “saved” with root canal therapy and crowns. Also, many of the causes of receding gums are destructive. Due to gum disease, the pockets that form between the teeth and gums provide the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. The disease can progress and threaten the health of the supportive soft and hard tissues in the jaw. The first step is to contact us so Dr. Yang can evaluate your gums and recommend appropriate treatments based on his findings.
Gum Recession FAQs
Why do I have gum recession?
Gums can recede for several reasons. Periodontal disease is the most common culprit. Severe gum disease affects the periodontal ligaments, causing the gums to recede from the teeth. Other common reasons for gum recession include aggressive brushing, smoking, poor genetics, teeth grinding, and even misaligned teeth. Recognizing the cause of gum recession is important for precise treatment.
Do receding gums affect how my smile looks?
Yes. Recession exposes the roots, making your teeth appear uneven or too long. It may also expose darker root surfaces, ruining your aesthetics. Treating receding gums restores a more balanced, natural smile.
Can receding gums get better on their own?
No. Unlike other body tissues, gum tissue doesn’t grow back naturally. That means your receded gums won’t resolve on their own without treatment. However, effective periodontal care can stop the progression and, in some cases, rebuild lost tissue. The right intervention helps you recover your healthy, beautiful gums.
How much does it cost to treat receding gums in Aliso Viejo, CA?
Costs vary based on severity and the type of treatment. Generally, non-surgical care is more affordable than advanced procedures, such as gum grafting. To get the exact cost of your treatment, schedule an appointment with our dental office.
Does insurance cover gum recession treatment?
Often, yes, especially when treatment is medically necessary to restore function. However, the exact coverage varies, depending on your plan, deductibles, yearly maximums, and waiting periods. Always verify the benefits of your coverage before any treatment begins. This helps you avoid surprises down the line.
At our office, we also understand that not all patients have similar circumstances. For those without insurance, we provide dental financing with Cherry, allowing you to break down treatment costs into manageable installments. That means you no longer have to postpone the necessary care because of costs.
Is gum grafting the only treatment option?
Not always. Gum grafting is one of the most effective treatment options for receding gums. However, it’s not always the only option. We can manage mild cases with deep teeth cleaning, improved home care, and bite adjustments. We can also use composite fillings to address mildly receded gums that cause open gingival embrasures (dark triangles).
Does gum recession lead to tooth loss?
Yes, if left untreated. Receding gums expose the roots of your teeth to harmful bacteria. Over time, this leads to decay, which weakens the stability of your tooth and can cause tooth loss. Early intervention helps protect your teeth for the long term.
Can any dentist treat receding gums?
General dentists can manage mild cases with deep teeth cleanings and fillings. However, advanced cases require a specialist. At Advanced Dental, we have an in-house periodontist, Dr. Joseph C. Yang, who has extensive skills and experience in treating periodontal-related issues, including gum recession. Visit our office and discover the difference a periodontist can make.
Why is gum recession treatment important?
There are plenty of reasons to consider gum recession treatment. Remember, your gums are the foundation of your smile. When they are compromised, everything they support may crumble.
Treating receding gums offers several benefits, including.
- Protects your teeth from root damage
- Restores your eating ability
- Improved comfort (reduces sensitivity)
- Enhanced aesthetics
- It prevents further damage
Who offers gum recession treatment in the Aliso Viejo area?
Don’t ignore receding gums because they will only get worse without proper treatment. Take action today! Call (949) 289-9993 and schedule an appointment with Advanced Dental for expert care.
How do you treat receding gums?
As appropriate, dental bonding may be recommended to prevent complications of root exposure. A dental composite material is applied or bonded to the affected teeth. In turn, the roots are covered up and protected with the dental composite. Your teeth are no longer vulnerable to further damage as long as you maintain good home and professional care. Active gum disease must also be treated effectively to prevent the loss of the teeth and supportive tissues. Depending on your needs, Dr. Yang may recommend antibiotic therapy, a "deep cleaning" known as scaling and root planing, and periodontal therapies to remove damaged tissue and heal and regenerate the gumline. Advanced Dental uses state-of-the-art laser systems to non-invasively and painlessly fight harmful bacteria while precisely rebuilding lost tissue.
If you are concerned about any changes in the appearance of your smile or in how your teeth and gums feel, schedule an appointment today. Our team in Aliso Viejo, CA, can be reached at (949) 289-9993.
Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula
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Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years. After advanced training at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, she relocated to Orange County, CA in 2015. Dr. Chitra is a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association. Committed to continuous education, she provides top-quality dental services using the latest advancements.
Dr. Joseph C. Yang
Dr. Joseph C. Yang has over 30 years of dental practice experience. He earned his B.S. from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and his D.D.S. from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He then had a distinguished 30-year career as a U.S. Naval Dental Officer, including a residency in Periodontology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Yang is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Periodontology. As a board-certified Periodontist, he has performed thousands of successful periodontal and implant procedures. He is also a renowned lecturer and trainer in the latest implant and periodontal techniques worldwide.
