When most people think of oral health, they think of teeth. But gums are important, too. They secure your teeth and act as a barrier against harmful germs.
If you have receding gums, your gums are pulling away from the tooth surfaces, dramatically increasing your risks of tooth sensitivity, cavities, and eventual tooth loss. Gum grafting uses advanced techniques to supplement receding gums, protecting your teeth and reducing the risk of tooth loss.
At Dental Studio of Pasadena, our team offers gum grafting techniques to help you enjoy optimal oral health. Here, learn how gum grafting works and how it can help protect your teeth now and in the future.
Gum grafting basics
Healthy gums are important for maintaining optimal oral health. Usually, your gums hug the surfaces of your teeth, preventing bacteria from reaching the lower portions of your teeth so infections can’t occur.
When gums recede, they pull away from the tooth, exposing the lower portions of your teeth and increasing your risks of decay, infection, and sensitivity. Without proper care, recession significantly increases your risks of tooth loss and systemic infections that happen when
Gum disease is a major cause of receding gums, but recession can happen for other reasons, like:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Brushing too aggressively
- Traumatic injury
- Grinding or clenching habits
- Hormonal changes
Poor bite alignment increases your risk of gum recession, as well.
Gum grafting is a procedure that takes tissue from one part of your mouth and transfers it to an area where the gum is receding, anchoring it in place with sutures while it heals. We can take tissue from another part of your gum or the roof of your mouth. We can also use donated graft tissue when needed.
Benefits of gum grafting
Gum grafting offers plenty of benefits if you have receding or naturally thin gums.
Protects your teeth
Replacing receded gum tissue protects the lower parts of your teeth from cavity-causing bacteria. By replacing a protective cover on these teeth, gum grafting restores the barrier against germs while protecting against decay and inflammation.
Prevents gum disease
Gum disease creates “pockets” of space between your tooth surfaces and your gums, allowing bacteria to infect deeper layers of tissue. Sealing these pockets prevents bacterial invasion and the infections and gum disease it causes.
Reduces the risk of tooth loss
In its most severe stage, gum disease compromises the ligaments that hold teeth in place and the bone tissue that supports teeth. That’s why gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. By preventing gum disease, gum grafting can also prevent tooth loss and preserve your natural smile.
Relieves tooth sensitivity
Tooth roots are very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and sometimes to sweet foods, too. Replacing lost gum tissue with a gum graft provides a layer of protection that reduces sensitivity and improves your comfort.
Improves your smile
While gum grafting definitely offers plenty of benefits for oral health, it also offers aesthetic benefits. Receding gums make your smile look old, worn, and uncared for. Gum grafting restores your normal gum line, helping your smile look its healthiest best — and it boosts your confidence, too.
Prevents future recession
Finally, supplementing gum tissue now helps prevent gum irritation and inflammation that can lead to further recession. That makes gum grafting an essential part of a preventive care plan focused on long-term oral health.
Make gum health a priority
Healthy gums are an important part of good oral health, and taking steps to reduce gum recession now helps protect your health in the future, too. To learn more about gum grafting and other treatments to keep your gums healthy and sound, call 626-329-4658 or request an appointment online with the team at Dental Studio of Pasadena in Pasadena, California, today.