A gum recession or gingival recession is a process in which the root of the tooth and other structures located under the gum are left “in the air” or exposed. This fact has several negative consequences for the patient, among which we can highlight:
- Increased tooth sensitivity: It is very uncomfortable to drink or eat very hot or cold foods.
- Increases the risk of caries: The tissue that covers the roots of the teeth is the root cementum; this tissue is much more vulnerable than dental enamel to this pathological process.
- Esthetic inconvenience: When these recessions can be observed in teeth that we expose to other people in our daily life, mainly recessions located in the anterior teeth (incisors and canines). In the most serious cases it could cause the individual a problem of anxiety when establishing social relationships with other people.
Early detection of gingival recession is very important to avoid its worsening over time. It should be the specialist dentist who, after a clinical and radiographic examination, determines whether or not this pathology exists. What causes gum recession? The etiology of this periodontal alteration is multifactorial, i.e. it is caused by many very different factors, such as:
- Age of person
- Bad position of the teeth
- Incorrect brushing technique.
- Presence of gingivitis (gum inflammation) or periodontal disease (“pyorrhea”).
- Existence of labial frenulae with a strong muscular insertion.
