Gum Grafting

Gum recession isn’t something most people think about until it becomes painful, and at that point, you most likely need some professional help. Basically, it will sneak up on you if you’re not careful, so keeping an eye on your teeth and gums is important. If you notice any number of your teeth appear to be longer, or if you feel a sharp sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures, then your gums are most likely receding. It’s not quite as daunting as it sounds, so don’t freak out just yet. Catching it is the first step, so be on guard and it’s best to get checked out immediately.

What Causes the Need for Gum Grafting?

As with any procedure, there are certain causes that lead up to this point in the game. If you are in need of gum grafting in order to repair and replace your gum line, it could be because of a few different things. Bear in mind, the causes aren’t completely understood and still debated, but we DO know how to fix it.

  1. Gum Disease
    This is the most common cause of receding gums, and really puts you at risk for bacterial infection. You can get gum disease from lack of oral hygiene or just bad genes. As gum disease progresses and the gums detach from the teeth, they may start receding, too. That’s why regular check-ups are so important.
  2. Aggressive Brushing
    People easily overlook how hard they are brushing their teeth. Maybe they feel they have to scrub hard to take care of stains and bad breath, but teeth and gums alike, are super sensitive. Heavy brushing and/or a hard toothbrush can take its toll.
  3. Piercings
    Yes, this is one that most people don’t realize! Tongue piercings and lip piercings can easily rub away gum tissue and irritate any tissue that it comes in contact with over a period of time.
  4. Grinding Teeth
    Are you a teeth grinder or clincher? Maybe you do it in your sleep? The extreme force that this puts on your gum is probably unknown to most people, but it happens. The stress caused by teeth grinding is concentrated at the junction of the crown and the root and makes it so the gum doesn’t like to stay attached.

Any number of these cause gum tissue to recede and pull away from the teeth, and once that starts happening, it can seriously affect your health as well as the look of your smile. The good news is that we perform different types of gum grafting procedures to specifically address your issue.

Benefits of Gum Grafting

  • Stops further recession of your gums
  • Protects the roots of your teeth from decay
  • Stops any further bone loss
  • Reduces tooth sensitivity
  • Prevents further pain or discomfort
  • Boosts your confidence when you smile or talk to other people

If you think you may need us to check out your gums, give our team a call to schedule a simple check-up. Our qualified pros are here to help and give you your confidence back!