Do You Have Tooth Sensitivity or Bleeding After Brushing? Receding Gums May Be to Blame
Perhaps you have recently noticed a bit of blood after rinsing your mouth and brushed it off as no big deal. It was only a few days or weeks later that you felt sensitivity when eating your favorite hot or cold drinks that you began to wonder if you should be worried. While some people experience a little sensitivity now and then, your symptoms could be a warning sign of a bigger problem. Gingival recession, or receding gums, is a common dental issue that affects millions of Americans. It not only leaves the root of your tooth susceptible to trauma and bacterial invaders, but it can also make your teeth look too long.
At Lakeshore Dental Specialists, our Detroit dentists can detect whether you have a receding gum line. If you do, at Lakeshore Dental Specialists in Detroit gingival recession treatments offer the latest recession treatments to correct the problem and get the health of your teeth and gums back on track. Don’t wait until tooth sensitivity, bleeding, or pain while brushing gets worse. After your recession treatment, you can enjoy an improved quality of life, along with a more attractive and youthful smile!
Also known as receding gums or gum loss, gingival recession occurs when your gum margin recedes, revealing too much of your crown. When this happens, it can expose the root, leading to increased sensitivity and a toothy smile.
When your gums recede, your body loses a natural defensive barrier that keeps bacteria out. It also makes your teeth prone to injury. Even the simple act of brushing can become painful. In minor cases of gum loss, our dentists may simply recommend that you modify your oral hygiene practices. Switching to a soft toothbrush and sensitive toothpaste may be all that is needed. In other cases, gum loss is more severe.
If you don’t have enough healthy gum tissue to protect your tooth, a soft tissue augmentation may be necessary. Through gum tissue grafting, our Detroit dentists can help you regain lost gum tissue.
Gingival recession may cause some of your teeth to look longer than others. This can have a visible aging effect that impacts your face as a whole. Soft tissue grafting at Lakeshore Dental can easily replace your lost gum tissue.
This innovative treatment improves your gum contour, resulting in a more even and youthful gum line. The treatment does more than create a more pleasing smile. Adding gum tissue decreases tooth sensitivity when you consume hot or cold food items. It can also reduce bleeding and discomfort while brushing your teeth. Finally, restoring your gums helps to protect your teeth from bacteria that cause tooth rot.
If your recession needs intervention, then periodontal surgery may be performed to correct it.
This keeps your teeth healthy, preventing further recession and bone loss. At Lakeshore Dental Specialists, we strive to provide you with the best gingival recession treatment Detroit has to offer. That's why our doctors are trained in the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating gum recession. Several treatment options are available to fix receding gums, such as:
This is considered the gold standard for treating gingival recession. A sub-epithelial graft is suitable when only one or a few teeth are affected by gum loss. After numbing the site, our dentists harvest a small piece of connective tissue from the roof of your mouth. Next, they position the harvested tissue on your exposed root and suture it in place. Dissolving sutures keep the tissue graft securely in place. The graft is living, so it becomes a permanent part of your tissue once it heals. As a minimally invasive procedure, antibiotics or painkillers may not be needed.
If gum loss has affected several of your teeth, then an acellular dermal matrix may be the best approach. Instead of harvesting tissue from the roof of your mouth, a donor material known as PerioDerm™ restores your lost gum tissue. The process is similar to a sub-epithelial tissue graft described earlier, except the roof of your mouth does not need to be cut or stitched.
After your gingival recession treatment, your gums need time to heal.
Our dentists will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. You may be advised to avoid brushing and flossing after your procedure. Antibiotics and a peri-oral rinse may be provided. Our dentists may recommend avoiding hot and cold food or drinks for several days. These can increase bleeding and sensitivity. Soft foods, such as Jell-O, eggs, pasta, and smoothies, are safe choices. If you have any questions, you may contact our office.
Once your gum margin is restored, you will be the owner of a healthier smile.
You should notice less sensitivity and bleeding after brushing or eating over time. It takes a few weeks to fully recover, but your tissue graft is permanent once it stabilizes. To maintain your results long-term, be sure to follow our dentists’ aftercare instructions.
Contact Lakeshore Dental Specialists today to learn more about gingival recession treatments by calling our office or clicking the booking link. A patient care coordinator will reach out to confirm your appointment.
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Contact our office today to request an appointment or click below to book online. A team member will reach out to confirm your appointment.
18501 E 8 Mile Rd, Eastpointe, MI 48021
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