The Up and Up of a Receding Gum Line

Recognizing a receding gum line just by looking in the mirror can be quite misleading. Although the tissue may seem to have pulled away from the teeth, many assume that there must be bleeding or inflammation for there to be anything to worry about. It is not unheard of for sufferers of periodontal disease to look in the mirror and see perfectly pink gums that seem quite healthy. However, there is no way for the sufferer to see what may be going on underneath the gum line, where pockets of infestation can be at work. Receding gums do not always show their symptoms right away, which is why regular examinations by a dentist are crucial to not only oral health but to physical health overall.

Even a slight receding gum line warrants a trip to the dentist for a thorough examination that includes x-rays, a workup of the patient's complete dental history and also a work up of family medical history. During this exam, the patient's gums will be examined for any type of bleeding or swelling. Firmness of the gum tissue will also be a factor. Receding gums often result in a change in a person's bite pattern so teeth will be also checked for movement and/or sensitivity. A complete x-ray of the mouth will be used to confirm degenerative bone loss surrounding the teeth, if any.

Help in determining a receding gumline also comes in the form of periodontal probings. The probe, carefully inserted into pockets around the teeth, will measure their depth and determine the severity of the gum loss. The following guidelines are used to determine the condition's severity:

• Pockets measuring 3 millimeters- healthy, likely to be no bone loss
• Pockets measuring 3-5 millimeters- indications of disease, possible bone loss
• Pockets measuring 5 millimeters or deeper- serious disease and probable bone loss

When the dentist has determined the severity, a cause must also be determined in order to determine treatment options that will stop or slow down further damage. As the source of receding gums can be anything from incorrect brushing techniques to periodontal disease, treatment can be as simple as using a toothbrush with softer bristles to the need for skin grafts to repair receding gums.

A receding gumline, however slight, should never be left to chance. Any disease or bone loss will only be allowed to further degenerate the mouth. As good oral health is a major key to complete overall health, those looking to keep themselves in optimal condition should be as vigilant about getting to the dentist as they are about getting to the gym, and brush at least twice daily with a good product such as the entirely natural OraMD®.