There are all kinds of products on the market designed to help with gum disease and the effects of the infection on the teeth and gums. A walk down any store aisle will yield countless mouth rinses, toothpaste, and receding gum ointment options. Some are effective and safe to use while others are virtually useless. If you suffer from receding gums due to gingivitis there are options available through your dentist to heal the infection and encourage the gums to grow back over the surface of the teeth. Choosing not to take the appropriate steps to cure receding gums can have some very unpleasant side effects on your appearance and dental health.

• changes to the way the teeth look
• long term effects if not treated
• treatment options and prevention

There is nothing wrong with being concerned about the changes a receding gum line makes in your appearance and smile. Professionally and personally, everyone wants and needs to look their best. It’s an unfortunate truth, but a lot depends on your appearance. Receding gums that are left untreated often leave the sufferer with a long tooth look. As the gums pull away from the teeth, more of the teeth are exposed and in addition to becoming more sensitive, they also change the appearance of a person’s smile. It’s worth the effort to take periodontal disease and reclaim your smile.

The damage done by gum disease and receding gums doesn’t stop at just your appearance. When you don’t get treatment for your gum disease, receding gums can very often lead to loose teeth. From there it is completely possible to even lose the affected teeth. Of all of the dental diseases, gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss and the need for bridges, dentures, and other dental appliances.

Some of the over the counter products may be useful for maintenance, but it is imperative to see a dentist for effective gum disease treatments. Depending on the severity of your case your dentist has an arsenal of treatments to use to get your gums and teeth back to a healthy state. The one thing they all have in common is the elimination of any signs of infection and smoothing the teeth to encourage gum regrowth.