Created 20/9/2022
Updated 12/15/2023
Did you know that gums cannot regenerate by themselves? That is, if you suffer the loss of these tissues, you should see a professional to assess the cause of gingival recession and can plan the ideal treatment to recover them. Receding gums, a more frequent problem than we may think at first, should be treated in any case to restore the esthetics of the smile and avoid various oral problems.
In this article, from our dental clinic in Barcelona, we explain what are the most common causes of receding gums and what treatments can be performed to solve it.
What are the causes of receding gums?
Periodontal diseases are the main cause of receding gums. Depending on the degree of tissue involvement, we can differentiate between gingivitis and periodontitis.
The first involves inflammation and redness of the gums as a result of plaque accumulation around the teeth due to poor oral hygiene. When plaque hardens, forming what is known as tartar, it can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning or prophylaxis. Periodontitis, on the other hand, involves the appearance of periodontal pockets between the gum and the teeth. Over time, these pockets destroy the bone and connective tissue that support the teeth and cause the gums to recede.
On fewer occasions, however, receding gums can also be one of the consequences of aggressive tooth brushing, bruxism, trauma and poorly performed orthodontic treatment.
Periodontal treatments to solve this problem
To restore lost gums, evaluation and treatment by a periodontist are necessary. It is also important to bear in mind that, first of all, the cause of the problem must be treated. Depending on the progress of the periodontal disease, we can perform a thorough dental cleaning, curettage, scaling and root planing or periodontal surgery. In addition, it is also advisable for the patient to change his or her habits, giving up smoking and opting for thorough daily oral hygiene.
Subsequently, in patients who retain interdental papillae, we can perform a treatment known as a coronally mobilized flap, a stretching of the gums to cover the roots of the teeth. In cases where this is not possible, we perform a gum graft, taking tissue from the palate and placing it over the tooth roots to be covered.
In this way, we manage to recover the aesthetics of the smile, but also avoid problems such as tooth sensitivity, tooth loss and aggravation of periodontitis.
¿Qué tipos de alimentos se deben evitar después de un injerto de encía?
After undergoing a gum graft, it is generally recommended to avoid certain types of foods to ensure proper postoperative care. It is advisable to follow the instructions provided by our specialist and to be careful with our diet and oral hygiene. In particular, it is best to avoid hard foods and opt instead for softer options such as broths, soups and purees that do not require chewing. This precaution helps to minimize any discomfort that may arise during the healing process.
If you notice red and swollen gums, it is important that you do not let time pass and visit your dentist. If you need us to make an assessment of your case, you can contact us on 93 272 48 30 (Barcelona) / 971 315 374 (Ibiza) or leave us your details in the form on our website.
At IMOI Barcelona and IMOI Ibiza, we follow editorial principles that guarantee the authenticity of all the information we disseminate. If you are interested in learning more about how we ensure that our content is always up-to-date and accurately supported, we invite you to review our editorial commitment.
This article has been supervised by Dr. Ferran Novell Costa and Dra. Erjona Demiraj, specialists in Dental Health and Dental Aesthetics treatments. Responsible for the treatments provided at IMOI Barcelona and IMOI Ibiza and for the supervision and/or updating of the contents of this blog entry. (7/11/2023). The recommendations described are not generic and do not replace the diagnosis and evaluation of a professional in a dental office. If you want us to clarify any aspect or you want a personalized diagnosis and advice we recommend you to come to our dental clinics.
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