Prognosis of gingival recession

In periodontitis, the prognosis is difficult to make because it depends on many different parameters. In addition to the aggressiveness of the various bacterial strains, oral hygiene at home and personal habits such as smoking also play a certain role. If all guidelines are followed and good oral hygiene is maintained, a good prognosis can be assumed and the disease can be sustained for a long time.

In this way, the teeth are preserved in the long term and can remain in the mouth. The prognosis for non-inflammatory gum recession is much better. By removing the cause, the condition can be kept at a constant level.

An exposed neck of the tooth means that the gums have receded so far that part of the root surface is open and no longer covered by gums. Since the root surface, unlike the enamel, contains connection to nerve fibers, the exposed area may become sensitive. Especially cold or sweet/sour irritate the affected tooth and this can be felt as a sharp pain.

In many cases it is sufficient to seal the exposed areas at the dentist with a special material so that the pain disappears. In more extreme cases, the dentist can provide advice and help with further measures such as a filling or a crown on the affected tooth.

Exposed tooth necks – What to do?
Pain in the neck of the tooth
Cervical filling

Can receding gums indicate a deficiency?

Studies have shown that periodontitis patients often suffer from vitamin deficiency. Especially the antioxidant vitamin C, which has an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect, is often too little available. Smaller roles play the lack of Vitamin E or of the trace elements zinc and selenium. If several deficiency conditions come together due to another basic illness or pregnancy, periodontitis spreads quickly.

Gum recession in children

Gum recession is much less common in children. Often the non-inflammatory causes are here.

Besides the wrong tooth brushing technique plays a role here
The wrong place of breakthrough of a tooth plays a certain role. If a tooth comes out in the wrong place or stands very crooked, this leads to the gums not growing as they should.
Another cause is the lip frenulum in the lower jaw which is too deep. This can lie close to the incisor and then pull the gum of the first two incisors downwards, causing a recession and recession.
Children with braces may experience gum recession due to excessive force or tight-fitting wire.