Find out how a gum graft could improve the health and appearance of a receding gum line.
When it comes to good oral health it isn’t just about the health of your teeth but also the health of your gums. Your gums can tell you a lot about the state of your oral health and it’s important that you are paying attention. If you are dealing with gum recession due to gum disease, genetics, or overbrushing, our Cedar Falls, IA, periodontics specialist Dr. Shawn Reese can restore gum tissue through gum grafting.
What causes gums to recede?
When you are flossing and brushing, it’s important that you are paying attention to any changes in the appearance, color, or shape of your gums. There are many reasons why gums may recede. While gum disease is one of the most common causes, it isn’t the only one. Some people are genetically predisposed to a receding gum line while others may cause gum recession from brushing too hard. Hormone changes may also be to blame.
While you should be visiting your dentist every six months for checkups to catch these issues, if you do notice any changes it’s important that you turn to our Cedar Falls, IA, periodontics team right away.
What is a gum graft?
A gum graft is a dental procedure that can only be performed by a periodontist. Since receding gums can expose tooth roots, causing sensitivity and pain, a gum graft can help to rebuild the tissue and reverse these changes to restore your smile and protect your teeth.
In order to perform a gum graft, we will remove a small bit of tissue from the mouth often the roof of the mouth. It is also possible to remove tissue from other healthy areas of the gums. We will then attach this tissue to the receding gum areas. There are different gum grafting techniques and the one that’s right for you will depend on the severity of your gum recession. This is something that Dr. Reese will discuss with you during your consultation.
The recovery process will take a couple of weeks. During that time, Dr. Reese will provide you with instructions on what you can eat, as well as how to brush, floss, and care for your healing gums. It can take several weeks for the gums to heal fully and to see the benefits of your gum grafting procedure.
It’s important that you pay attention to your gums. If you notice receding or inflamed gums, it’s a good idea to turn to your Cedar Falls, IA, periodontist, Dr. Reese, for comprehensive periodontics. Call us today at (319) 266-3393.