At Infinite Dental Wellness, we focus on the health of our patients' gums just as much as their teeth. We understand the critical role the gums play in keeping teeth healthy, strong, and securely in place. Through regular dental care, we can help prevent gum disease and recession, and in many cases routine care is all a patient needs. However, if you notice that your gums are beginning to recede, it is important to act quickly. Call (818) 541-1110 to schedule an appointment with our Glendale, CA dental office. Because gum recession can lead to serious health challenges, addressing it early gives you the best possible outcome.
What Is Gum Recession?
Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue that surrounds your teeth pulls back or wears away, exposing more of the tooth and eventually the root. As the gums recede, small gaps can form between the teeth and gum line, creating spaces where bacteria can collect. Over time, this can lead to sensitivity, decay along the exposed roots, and damage to the supporting bone. Recession often happens so gradually that many people do not notice it until a tooth looks longer than it used to or becomes sensitive to hot and cold. Recognizing the signs early and seeking care promptly is the key to protecting your smile.
Why Are My Gums Receding?
There can be several reasons for gum recession, and some are related to everyday habits. While it is important to brush at least twice a day and floss daily, using a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing too aggressively can actually irritate your gums and wear them down over time. This is why we recommend a soft or electric toothbrush and a gentle technique, especially near the gum line. The way you care for your teeth should protect your gums, not harm them.
By far the most common cause of gum recession, however, is gum disease. We find that gum disease can affect patients of all ages, and when it does, prompt cleaning and treatment are essential. The underlying culprit is plaque that becomes trapped between the teeth and gums. Because this area is difficult to clean, the plaque hardens into tartar and continually irritates the gums. The irritation builds until the gums swell, bleed, and eventually pull away from the teeth. Other contributing factors include:
- Genetics, since a tendency toward gum recession can run in families
- Crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, which place uneven strain and wear on certain teeth and their gums
- Tobacco use, which restricts blood flow to the gums and slows healing
- Hormonal changes, such as those during pregnancy, that make gums more sensitive
- Teeth grinding or clenching, which adds stress to the gums and supporting structures
Why Are My Gums Receding Only on One Side?
If your gums are receding on only one side, it may simply be that plaque has built up more in that area of your mouth. Plaque does not discriminate, but you may brush or floss more thoroughly on one side, or plaque may have happened to collect more in one spot. One-sided recession can also reflect uneven wear patterns. If your teeth are crooked or your bite is off, the gum health on that side can be affected disproportionately.
Why Are My Gums Receding on One Tooth Only?
While recession on a single tooth can be related to any of the causes above, it is most often associated with some form of dental trauma to that specific area. Perhaps the spot was cut or scratched, whether from eating something sharp, an accidental injury, or another outside force. Gums can sometimes have difficulty healing after such an injury and may recede as a result. A misaligned tooth that absorbs excess force can also experience localized recession.
Should I Worry About Receding Gums?
Yes, receding gums are worth taking seriously. We encourage all of our patients to pay close attention to their gum health and to call us right away if they notice bleeding, swelling, or recession. We want to examine you as soon as possible to determine whether gum disease is present and to treat it before it advances. The earlier you come in, the more likely we can address the problem using less invasive methods. For example, you may only need a deep cleaning, or perhaps a deep cleaning combined with an antibiotic treatment. By acting early, you give your gums the best chance to recover without the need for a gum graft. If you delay, recession can progress to the point that the health of your teeth, your jawbone, and your entire smile is at risk. The majority of people who lose an adult tooth had gum disease at the time, so preventing and treating it is one of the best things you can do for your oral health.
Signs of Gum Recession to Watch For
Catching recession early makes treatment simpler and more effective. Be alert for these warning signs:
- Teeth that look longer than they used to
- Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
- A small notch or rough area you can feel near the gum line
- Gums that are red, swollen, tender, or bleed when brushing or flossing
- A tooth that feels slightly loose or appears to have shifted
If any of these sound familiar, do not wait. Call our office so we can evaluate your gums and recommend the right care.
How Do You Prevent Gum Recession?
The best way to prevent gum recession is to visit our office for a professional cleaning at least twice a year. We remove the plaque and tartar that build up over time, giving your teeth a fresh, clean feel while reducing future buildup. At home, switch to a soft toothbrush, brush gently, and pay attention to how aggressively you are brushing near the gums. Daily flossing, reaching gently below the gum line, also helps keep the area healthy. If you grind your teeth, we can discuss solutions to protect both your teeth and gums, and if your bite is misaligned, correcting it can help relieve the uneven strain that contributes to recession.
Is There a Way to Treat the Condition?
Yes. If your gum recession is due to gum disease, the first step is to remove the disease. This usually involves a deep cleaning to eliminate the plaque and tartar from between the teeth and gums. Once the area is clean, your gums can begin to heal and rejuvenate. In some cases, we may use laser procedures to help stimulate the gum tissue. If the recession is severe, a gum graft may be recommended to restore tissue around the teeth and protect the exposed roots. During your visit, we will explain exactly which approach is right for your situation and what you can expect throughout treatment and recovery.
What Are the Risks of Not Treating It?
Quite simply, you could lose your teeth. Because gum recession is most often caused by gum disease, leaving it untreated is a risky choice. Beyond uncomfortable, sensitive teeth and gums, untreated recession can lead to bone loss and ultimately tooth loss. The longer the condition goes unaddressed, the more invasive and involved the necessary treatment becomes. Acting early protects not only your individual teeth but the long-term health of your entire smile.
Cost, Insurance, and Why Choose Us
Why Healthy Gums Matter So Much
It is easy to focus on your teeth and overlook your gums, but the gums are the foundation that keeps your teeth healthy, stable, and in place. Healthy gum tissue forms a protective seal around each tooth, shielding the sensitive roots and the underlying bone from bacteria. When the gums recede, that protective seal is broken, leaving the roots exposed to decay and the bone vulnerable to infection and loss. This is why we treat gum health as seriously as we treat the teeth themselves. Caring for your gums is not just about comfort or appearance; it is essential to keeping your natural teeth for a lifetime.
Living With Sensitive, Receding Gums
Gum recession often brings uncomfortable sensitivity, particularly to hot, cold, and sweet foods and drinks, because the exposed root surfaces are not protected by enamel. Many patients find themselves avoiding certain foods or wincing during everyday activities like sipping coffee or eating ice cream. While a desensitizing toothpaste can offer some temporary relief, it does not address the underlying cause of the recession. The most effective approach is to come in for an evaluation so we can identify why your gums are receding and treat the root of the problem. Addressing the cause not only relieves sensitivity but also protects your long-term oral health.
What to Expect When You Come In
When you visit us with concerns about receding gums, we begin with a gentle, thorough examination. We measure your gum health, look for areas of recession and any pockets where bacteria may be collecting, and may take digital X-rays to evaluate the supporting bone. We then explain what we find in clear, easy-to-understand terms and discuss the best treatment options for your situation. Because we catch and treat recession at many different stages, our recommendations are always tailored to your needs, with the goal of using the least invasive approach that will effectively protect your smile. Throughout the process, your comfort and understanding are our priorities.
Simple Daily Habits That Protect Your Gums
Protecting your gums from recession does not require complicated routines, just consistent, gentle care. Use a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush and brush with light pressure, letting the bristles do the work rather than scrubbing hard. Hold your brush at a gentle angle toward the gum line and use small, careful motions. Floss once a day, easing the floss gently beneath the gum line rather than snapping it down against the tissue. An antiseptic mouthwash can help reduce the bacteria that contribute to gum disease. Just as importantly, keep up with your professional cleanings, since only a dental team can remove the hardened tartar that irritates the gums and drives recession. If you notice early warning signs, do not wait to act; the sooner we evaluate your gums, the more easily we can protect them. These small, steady habits, combined with regular visits, are the best defense against gum recession and the problems it can cause.
We work to make gum care affordable for Glendale families. Infinite Dental Wellness accepts all PPO dental insurance plans, and our team will help you understand your benefits. Please note that we do not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal. Because early treatment is simpler and less expensive than treating advanced recession, prompt care is always the wiser investment. Patients choose us because Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan, a USC-trained husband-and-wife team, provide gentle, all-ages care in a mercury-free office with a 4.9-star rating and more than 300 reviews, plus same-day emergency availability. To learn more about gum recession and how to treat it, call our dental office at (818) 541-1110 and take the first step toward protecting your smile.