Receding Gums Symptoms
Noticing changes in your gumline is an important way to monitor your oral health between dental appointments. When your gum tissue gradually wears away, thus exposing your teeth is a direct way to note changes in your gums. Gum recession develops slowly, so it may not be significant enough to notice right away. At the start, it might not cause pain at all. You are able to spot the problem in a number of ways before the problem leads to complications that are painful, difficult to treat, and expensive.
Receding gums make teeth visibly seem longer. Each tooth has more of the root exposed since the gum tissue moves in an upward direction on upper teeth or in a downward direction on lower teeth. While this starts occurring bit by bit, as time passes, you could see gumlines not only along with teeth appearing a bit taller than the rest. It can have an effect on multiple teeth or just a single tooth in the mouth.
Receding gums are known to cause tooth sensitivity. When the gum tissue is receding, the tooth's root surface is exposed without the crown's protective enamel. The result is discomfort triggered at the time one eats or drinks foods that are hot, cold, or sweet. Depending on the degree of the exposure and if there are areas of erosion or cavities, the sensation can be mild or more intense.
Gumline tenderness and irritation are also indicators of gum recession. Gums may feel quite tight upon brushing or flossing. If your gums bleed easily when you routinely perform oral hygiene, you may be suffering from gingivitis or gum recession. Redness or swelling plus consistent bleeding means you should get a dental exam.
In some of the cases, a notch as well as an indentation near the gumline may then develop. Also, where the gum has receded, the root begins to show; these areas often appear near the base of the tooth. Plaque may collect on the exposed surface more easily, especially if thorough cleaning becomes harder, also, it can feel rougher than what is the enamel-covered crown.
Halitosis or bad breath might also indirectly signal that your gums are receding. Concentrations of bacteria in gumline pockets will commonly occur. This may cause bad smells in inflamed or infected tissue, too. Pockets that are untreated have a chance for later deepening. Plaque then becomes more difficult for daily brushing and flossing to remove.
The progression of receding gums may lead to your teeth shifting or changes within your bite, as it affects structural stability. Teeth can begin to move from their original position slightly out as gum and bone support weaken. Within some of the more advanced cases, your teeth may loosen. As a result, chewing becomes uncomfortable.
If you have more questions about gum recession or how addressing it could work as a part of your treatment plan to achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if your gums are receding.