Having a nice, healthy smile is important to most people. Having unattractive teeth or gums can interfere with your health and smile in ways that lower your quality of life and self-esteem. Many patients can maintain their teeth and gums with minimal effort, while others have chronic issues that require some intervention to achieve their desired smile.
If you have recently noticed that some of your teeth appear longer than usual or you often have a feeling of sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures in your mouth, you may have receding gums. This condition can cause the roots of your teeth to become exposed. Receding gums occur slowly, so you may not notice what is happening at first. Gum grafting is a medical technique that can help to restore your smile and prevent any more loss of gum tissue.
Gum Recession Causes
One common reason for gum recession is periodontal disease, or gum disease. Your risk of initial infection may be due to things like genetic makeup, oral hygiene, diabetes and hormonal changes. Smokers are also several times more likely to get this condition than those who do not smoke.
A Look at Gum Grafting
If your condition is advanced, you may require gum grafting to repair the area and prevent further infection. Besides putting a halt to gum recession and the loss of bone, gum grafting helps to lower tooth sensitivity and guard teeth roots from decay. It also can give you a more even gum line, which helps you smile and speak without being self-conscious about your teeth.
So, gum grafting has benefits that are both cosmetic and health-related. When performed by our skilled cosmetic dentist, this technique can improve the health and appearance of your gums and your teeth.
Preventing Gum Recession
To prevent gum recession and the need for gum grafts, you should remember to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth to keep your gums healthy. Use a good toothbrush and floss daily to keep bacteria from hiding between your teeth. If you are currently a smoker, stop. It will help both your oral health and your general health.
Just keeping your teeth clean and stopping smoking can have tremendous benefits for your health. Preventing problems when they are small keeps them from becoming larger problems that require correction down the road.
Learn More About Gum Grafting
If you live in or near the Little Rock, AR area and are already dealing with receding gums, there is help available. Make an appointment at the office of Samuel F. Jirik, DDS in Cabot, AR to learn more information about gum grafting.
