Periodontal Diseases

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• QCan gum recession be treated?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Gum recession, when the gums shrink or pull away from the teeth, can happen to people of all ages. Sometimes it happens even if a person takes good care of his or her teeth. Gum recession can cause problems for your oral health.
  
  If you have gum recession, your dentist can help you understand the causes and recommend a treatment. If the gums have become unattached from the tooth, it is important to treat gum recession otherwise it is likely to get worse.

  • If your gum recession is due to brushing too hard, your dentist can show you a better way to clean your teeth.
  • If the recession is due to gum disease, the first step usually involves a special cleaning called scaling and root planing, which removes plaque and tartar deposits on the tooth and root surfaces. The scaling and root planing helps gum tissues heal. For many patients, this treatment, plus excellent oral care with regular dental checkups, can help stop periodontal disease and gum loss.
  • If the recession is advanced, a gum graft may be needed. A graft is when a thin piece of gum tissue is taken from another place in the patient's mouth and attached to the place where the gum tissue has receded. Once the graft heals, it covers the exposed tooth root. Tissue grafts may be done to protect one tooth or several teeth. Grafts protect the tooth root from sensitivity and decay and can also be used to make a smile look better. If you have a gum graft, your dentist will tell you how to care for your gums.

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• QAt what age does gum disease generally start?

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  Gum disease can start at any age. Children and teenagers who have diabetes are at greater risk for gum disease than those who don't have diabetes. 

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• QHow is periodontal disease related to edentulism?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Periodontal disease is one of the main causes of edentulism. Periodontal disease is a condition that affects the mouth and is commonly found in the elderly. Periodontal disease can eat away at your teeth and gums causing decay. If periodontal disease does enough damage to a tooth, the tooth will either fall out, or require removal by a dentist. This results in edentulism. Careful treatment of periodontal disease can help you to avoid edentulism.
• QHow can I afford to treat my gum problems if I have no insurance?

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  A Dr. Todd A. Welch, DMD , Periodontics, answered

  It depends on the periodontist that you see. Many periodontists offer in-office or other forms of financing such as Care Credit. These financing companies offer many reasonable financing options such as 12 months no interest. My advice would be to speak with your particular periodontist or dentist office and ask these questions.
• QWhat are the signs of periodontal disease in children?

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  A RealAge answered

  These four signs indicate that your child may have periodontal disease:

  • Bleeding gums during eating, brushing, or flossing
  • Bad breath that is not fixed by brushing, flossing, or use of mouthwash
  • Puffy, swollen, red gums
  • Receding gums, to the point where you can see the roots of teeth

  If any of these occur, don't hesitate to get your child to a dentist.
• QWhat are the treatment options for receding gums?

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  A RealAge answered

  The treatment options for receding gums (gum tissue that pulls away from the teeth because of severe periodontitis) include:
  

  • Deep cleaning through scaling and root planing to remove plaque and get rid of rough spots on the tooth roots.
  • Gum flap surgery to lift back the gums and remove tartar. The gums are then sutured in place to fit snugly around the tooth.
  • Bone and tissue grafts to replace tissue destroyed by periodontitis.

  The best options for you will depend on how severe your gum disease is and any other health problems you may have.
  

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• QIs it normal for most of my gums to recede as I age?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  It is normal for gums to recede as we age. However, as we age, the nerves inside our teeth become smaller and less sensitive. By the time you feel pain from a cavity, it may be too late and you may lose your tooth. It can also lead to gum disease, which does not always cause pain until the advanced stages of the disease. 

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• QCan gums that have receded grow back?

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  A RealAge answered

  When your gums recede or pull away from your tooth because of gum disease, they usually will not grow back naturally. When you have bacteria in the plaque around your teeth (gingivitis), this can lead to inflammation of the gums that causes your gums to recede. If untreated, this condition can lead to more advanced inflammation that can cause your gums to pull away so much that spaces or pockets are formed.
  
  If your gums are only mildly receded, your dentist may be able to treat your gums by a deep cleaning, also called tooth scaling and root planing. In this cleaning, tartar and plaque that have built up below the gum line is removed and the exposed root area is smoothed. If the pockets remain deep and inflamed after this treatment, surgery may be the only solution to put the gums back into place, securely around the tooth.
• QWhat are receding gums?

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  A Dr. Arthur W. Perry, MD , Plastic Surgery, answered

  When Shakespeare said a man was "long of tooth," he was referring to receding gums in the elderly. In actuality, the bone structure recedes and the gums shrink along with it. This process exposes the root and makes the tooth look longer. It can also result in sensitivity when the teeth are exposed to heat, cold, and sugar.
• QWhat can I do for bleeding gums?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  It depends on why your gums are bleeding. In many cases, bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease. If your gums bleed easily or bleed when you brush, talk to your dentist about your oral health. Gingivitis is reversible and preventable. Always remember to brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day and schedule regular dental visits.
  
  If your gums bleed constantly or enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist or physician. It could be a sign that something else is wrong.

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