Gum disease is a disease that affects the bone and gum surrounding the tooth. Even teeth without any decay can be lost due to gingivitis. Gum disease is one of the most common chronic diseases that can be seen at any age. Since it is often painless, the patient does not realize the disease and is often referred to the dentist late.

In the initial stage, gum disease affects only the gums, this condition is called “Gingivitis”. Symptoms of gingivitis are swelling and redness of the gums and a tendency to bleed easily. Gingivitis does not leave any permanent damage.

When gingivitis worsens, the bone surrounding the tooth is also affected, a condition called “periodontitis”. In the presence of periodontitis, the bone surrounding the tooth becomes resorbed and the teeth begin to wobble as the disease progresses. Symptoms of periodontitis vary according to the stage of the disease. Symptoms include bleeding gums, red/purple gums, receding gums, tooth spacing, wobbling, displacement, abscess formation and bad breath. Pain is usually associated with abscess formation.

The main cause of gum disease is plaque that accumulates on teeth. Bacterial plaque that accumulates on tooth surfaces due to improper or incomplete brushing can cause tooth decay as well as inflammation in the gums.

The treatment of gum disease varies according to its stage. If the disease is in the initial stage and only affects the gums, the disease is treated by cleaning the tartar and applying the correct brushing method.

If the disease has progressed and has caused destruction of the bone surrounding the tooth and the gums, a more comprehensive treatment is required. First of all, the areas where bone loss has occurred are curetted and the bacteria and tartar causing the disease are removed. Depending on the severity and stage of the disease, laser or surgical treatment is applied if necessary. In the meantime, the patient should attend regular check-ups and pay attention to oral hygiene.

Gum recession is when the gum recedes over the teeth, exposing the roots underneath. This makes your teeth more vulnerable to bacteria and external factors. Your teeth may become more sensitive when brushing or eating. Gum recession can be mild, moderate or severe. It can affect one tooth or multiple teeth. Reversing gum recession depends on the type and stage of recession. If gum recession cannot be reversed, treatment aims to prevent it from getting worse.

Your gums can recede for various reasons. The causes of gum recession are:

-Brushing too hard or too aggressively.

-Dental plaque or tartar build-up.

-Periodontal disease.

-Trauma or injury to your gum tissue.

-Abnormal tooth positioning (misalignment).

-Smoking.

-Lip and tongue piercings.

-Most of the time, poor oral hygiene is a factor that causes gum recession, but this is not always the case.

Whatever the cause of your receding gums, timely diagnosis and treatment can help prevent long-term oral health problems.

While gum recession can affect people of all ages, it has been observed to increase with age. Gum recession is more likely in the following cases:

-Periodontal disease.

-Braces or other orthodontic treatment

-Lip or tongue piercing

-High lip tie

-Aggressive brushing

Gum recession is a common dental problem. About 88% of people over the age of 65 have gum recession in one or more teeth.

The most obvious sign of gum recession is the exposure of the tooth root. Other signs of gum recession include:

-Pain or discomfort near your gum line.

-Sensitivity to heat, cold and sweets.

-Sensitivity when brushing and flossing your teeth.

-Sensitivity during teeth cleaning.

-If left untreated, it can lead to other serious oral health problems such as gum recession, bone loss, feeling tooth mobility and even tooth loss.

If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, you can make an appointment with a gum specialist by calling 0312 466 75 99, 0850 346 75 99.

Your dentist can diagnose gum recession during a routine examination. Using a special instrument called a periodontal probe, the amount of gum recession in each tooth can be measured.

Bone loss is common in areas with receding gums. Therefore, your dentist will also measure the periodontal pockets around each tooth. Healthy pockets are between 1 and 3 millimeters. In the presence of gingivitis and periodontal disease, gum pockets will be 5 millimeters or higher.

Unfortunately, receding gums cannot grow back. However, depending on the type and stage of gum recession, they can be surgically restored or prevented from getting worse.

Many people with receding gums experience pain or sensitivity. This is because your tooth roots are not covered with protective enamel. Your dentist can apply fluoride or other desensitizing agents to reduce the discomfort associated with gum recession. You can also use a desensitizing toothpaste at home.

As mentioned above, if sensitivity is present, desensitizing toothpaste can help alleviate the discomfort associated with gum recession. It may take a few weeks for the desensitizing toothpaste to start working.

Toothpastes for gingivitis can also help with healing when used in conjunction with treatment for gingivitis.

Treatment for receding gums largely depends on what is causing the condition. Mild cases of gum recession can be improved with non-surgical treatments. However, in most cases, gum recession surgery is needed to completely correct the problem.

Non-surgical treatments

Non-surgical treatments for receding gums may include:

If gum recession is caused by periodontal disease, scaling and root cleaning (deep dental cleaning, curettage) can be performed under local anesthesia to get rid of harmful bacteria that cause gum disease deep in the gum line.

If the cause of gum recession is trauma or high lip tie, the cause must be eliminated first. In cases of mild gingival recession, gingival recession resolves on its own when the cause is eliminated, but in moderate and severe recessions, additional surgical treatment is required.

Sometimes misalignment of the tooth in the jaw can cause gum recession. In these cases, orthodontic treatment may be an option. Once the tooth is brought into proper alignment, the gums may heal on their own over time.

gum recession surgery

Gum recession surgery is the most predictable and long-lasting treatment option for receding gums. A periodontist (gum specialist) performs this procedure.

During this surgery, a gum graft is used to replace your missing gum tissue. The graft is usually taken from the palate. The gum graft taken from the palate is stitched to the area where the recession occurs.

Your recovery time will depend on several factors, including how many teeth were treated and what type of grafting was done. In most cases, people who have receding gum surgery return to normal in about two weeks.

Your surgeon will give you detailed postoperative instructions. You should follow these instructions closely to ensure a comfortable and successful recovery.

Especially if you are genetically prone to thin gum tissue, it can be noticed by your dentist during routine checkups and precautions can be taken. However, by practicing proper tooth and gum care, you can significantly reduce your risk of gum recession due to infection.

For example:

-Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day.

-Flosh once a day.

-Use antimicrobial mouthwash once a day.

-Follow your dentist’s recommendations for teeth cleaning. (Many people can maintain healthy gums with six monthly cleanings, but some may need more frequent visits.)

-Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.

-Do not smoke.

-If you notice any signs of gum recession, see your dentist.

For gum diseases and their treatment, you can make an appointment with a Gum Specialist at our Clinic located in Ankara, Mustafa Kemal District.