Definition
The healthy gums are pale pink and have no swelling. It is connected to the bone via a connective tissue apparatus and in a healthy state reaches the so-called enamel-cement interface. This is located exactly at the transition from the crown of the tooth (covered with enamel) to the root of the tooth (covered with cement).
It is not uncommon for the gums to recede after e.g. gingivitis, and the root surfaces come to the surface. The teeth then appear particularly long and not as aesthetic as before. In addition, the necks of the teeth are often sensitive to pain and a pulling pain can occur when eating cold or hot food.
Unfortunately, the gums only have a limited ability to regenerate. Gum pockets can recede with proper hygiene and treatment. However, the gums can no longer “grow” by themselves to the enamel-cement interface. If there is a major loss of gums, usually only surgical interventions at the dentist can help.
Causes
There are several causes of gum loss and receding gums. Exposed tooth necks (recessions) are often observed in people who push too hard when brushing their teeth. They have, so to speak, displaced their gums by the mechanical pressure.
In old age, it is natural to a certain degree that the gums recede a little. This is mainly due to gradual bone loss. Even after orthodontic treatment, the gums can lose their hold on the tooth due to the movement of the tooth in the periodontium and move aside.
Or else, the gums are so thin at one point that they cannot withstand the pull of the muscles and ligaments and therefore release root surface. The most common cause is certainly gum inflammation. One distinguishes the fixed gums from the freely moving gums.
If an inflammation of the gums occurs, a so-called “gingivitis“, or in advanced stages “periodontitis“, the gums turn red due to the increased blood circulation and swell up due to the inflammatory reaction. Deep pockets develop between the tooth and gums, i.e. the attached gums lose their hold on the tooth. Germs can quickly multiply and collect in these pockets.
The bone now also reacts to the inflammation and withdraws “for its own protection”. If the periodontitis is now treated and the diseased periodontal apparatus is restored to a healthy state, the gums also swell again. The bone forms a unit with the gums. Since the gums have receded during the inflammation, the gums are no longer at the same level as before, but below the enamel-cement interface, once the inflammation has healed.
- Causes of gum inflammation
- Tooth neck is exposed – What to do?
- Chronic periodontitis
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