Gingival Recession

Gingival recession occurs when you continually lose gum tissue, which can expose your tooth’s roots and make it look longer than a natural tooth would. This is something that happens gradually and does not usually have other noticeable symptoms. If you have your regular dental checkups, our periodontist can usually detect gingival recession before it becomes a serious problem.

There are a number of conditions that can cause receding gums in Bakersfield, California. These include:

  • Toothbrush abrasion: If you brush your teeth in an aggressive manner with a hard-bristled toothbrush, your gums can start to recede because of the irritation and damage it causes.
  • Poor oral hygiene: If you do not regularly brush and floss your teeth, plaque will build up and begin to affect your teeth. The plaque can also eventually release toxins that lead to periodontal disease and gum recession.
  • Chewing tobacco: Chewing tobacco aggravates and damages your gums, which leads to your gums receding and shriveling up. This can also occur with any other type of tobacco product.
  • Misalignment of teeth: If you have crowded, misaligned, uneven, or rotated teeth, your gums can recede over time because the tissue no longer has a proper relationship with your teeth or bone. This can not only cause gum recession, but it can also cause your gums to swell or be prone to toothbrushing trauma.

If you would like to check the status of your gum health and schedule an appointment with Dr. Andrew C. Dreyer, we invite you to call our office today!