So, what is gum recession?

Gum recession is a commonly mentioned problem in dental offices, affecting a large percentage of individuals and often going unnoticed.

This condition occurs when the gum margin migrates apically, gradually exposing the tooth roots, which can cause aesthetic and functional problems.

Gum recession has a multifactorial etiology and can be associated with dental sensitivity, difficulty in plaque removal, gum inflammation, susceptibility to caries (root caries), and eventually, in severe cases, lead to tooth loss.

Main causes of gum recession:

1. Accumulation of bacterial plaque / Gum inflammation
2. Improper brushing techniques / Traumatic brushing
3. Misalignment / Poor tooth positioning
4. Constant trauma from piercings (lip, tongue, or frenula)

In the next article, we will discuss therapeutic options and various treatment modalities.

Written by Hélder Oliveira

Gums, should I also take care of them?

Just like our teeth, gums require essential care to prevent the onset of diseases responsible for their degradation, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, also known as “pyorrhea”.

When plaque accumulates on the surface of the teeth, particularly at the gum line, the bacteria that settle there produce toxins that initiate an inflammatory process responsible for the onset of gingivitis.

This situation is reversible, and to restore gum health, all factors causing the gingival inflammation must be removed through proper brushing and the use of complementary oral hygiene methods, such as dental floss and interdental brushes.

If gingivitis (gingival inflammation) is left untreated, it progresses to periodontitis, which involves the compromise of the bone and fibers that support the teeth.

At this stage, periodontal pockets form around the teeth as a result of the loss of supporting tissues.

Once lost, these tissues cannot be physiologically restored due to the irreversible nature of this disease. However, periodontitis can be controlled, thereby preventing the progressive loss of tissues and, in more severe cases, teeth.