Receding gums is a condition that occurs when the tooth roots lose the natural protection that a healthy gum line provides. A variety of factors can contribute to gum recession – periodontal disease, tooth brushing routine, poor dental hygiene, tobacco use, clenching or grinding teeth, crooked or misaligned teeth. Some patients experience sensitivity, unsightly gaps between the teeth, unaesthetic appearance of teeth looking very long, and/or increased risk of cavities on exposed root surface.

If you notice that your gum line is shrinking, your teeth seem larger than usual, the teeth have gaps between them, or your gums have notches, dents, or other blemishes, then you are probably experiencing gum recession. These are important symptoms that should prompt you to seek answers, and we would love to help!

Loose teeth

Loose teeth often result from not taking proper care of the teeth and gums. When gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, the teeth lose the support of the bone, and, if left untreated, the teeth will become loose. Loose teeth can be treated at our office and with the insight of a Periodontist to stabilize the bone loss and keep the tooth for as long as possible. Sometimes bone grafting can be used to add support to the tooth.

If a tooth eventually falls out or needs to be removed, we have a variety of options for tooth replacement, and we can investigate together what option would be best for you.

Halitosis

Are you self-conscious about bad breath? We can help! Bad breath can be a result of poor dental hygiene, but it can also be a sign of other health problems.
Factors that affect bad breath:

• Poor Oral Hygiene – see our Preventive Dentistry page for information on how to effectively clean your teeth
• Gum Disease – poor oral hygiene can cause overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth, which cause unpleasant odors and infection
• Infection
• Dry Mouth
• Diet
• Tobacco use
• Chronic Diseases