Receding Gums Stages: From Mild to Severe
Around 50% of the adults that cross the age of 30 have some sort of gum disease. Yes, it is that common.
Moreover, as an individual ages, the chances and severity of gum disease increase. Those who fail to recognize the oral health issue will suffer from receding gums.
However, this won't happen overnight; the person will go through the receding gums stages. From the beginning to the end of the stages, you will find some telltale signs of a serious oral health problem.
To learn more about the receding gums stages, scroll down the blog!
Learn More: 11 Best Vitamins for Teeth and Gums Based on Science
Why Do Receding Gums Occur?
A dental condition known as receding gums happens when your gums separate from your teeth.
More of the tooth decay that is often hidden by healthy gum tissue then gets visible.
The following may be the cause behind several receding gums stages:
Bacteria
Inadequate dental care
Trauma
Smoking
Prescription drugs
Changes in hormones
The main cause of gum disease, or periodontal disease, is inflammation or infection of the bone and gums surrounding and supporting your teeth.
Causes of Receding Gums
Here are the known causes behind the receding gums stages:
Gum recession is primarily caused by periodontal diseases, which are gum infections brought on by bacteria that destroy gum tissue and the bone that holds teeth in place.
While early symptoms of periodontal disease are often not painful, they can develop into periodontitis if left untreated.
Minor symptoms of early stages of gum disease include:
Red, swollen, or purple gum
Gums that feel tender to the touch
Bad breath
Genetics
Causes Behind Receding Gums Stages (Explained)
1.Rigorous Brushing
If you brush your teeth too firmly or improperly, your gums may recede, and the enamel may wear away.
2.Inadequate Dental Care
Inadequate brushing, flossing, and mouthwash rinses with antibacterial agents can facilitate the quick conversion of plaque into tartar. This hard deposit develops on and between your teeth.
3.Hormonal Changes
Gum recession can become more likely in women due to changes in estrogen levels that occur during menopause, pregnancy, and adolescence.
4.Tobacco Usage
Gum recession can result from the development of sticky plaque, which is more common in smokers and other tobacco users.
5.Teeth Grinding
Teeth clenching and grinding can put too much pressure on teeth, which can lead to gum recession.
6.Misaligned Bite or Crooked Teeth
Misaligned teeth put too much strain on the gums and surrounding bone.
Signs and Symptoms of Receding Gums
When their gums first start to recede, some people may not be concerned about them, and others may not even be aware that their gums are receding.
On the other hand, some people with receding gums may encounter the following:
Teeth may appear longer, and their gaps may get wider
Sensitivity to heat and cold because exposed tooth roots
Gum recession may be an indication of underlying dental issues, such as gum disease, which raises the possibility of tooth decay and loss.
5 Receding Gums Stages
Now that you know the causes and symptoms, let's discuss the receding gums stages:
1.Gingivitis
The immune system reacts to plaque that isn't removed, inflaming the gums.
Inflamed gums bleed when you wash or floss your teeth, and they can appear redder and puffier than usual.
This may start to show in as soon as two weeks. You may experience these symptoms in the receding gums' early stages.
Cleaning your own teeth properly is not as simple as you may believe because you cannot look inside your mouth to find plaque.
Since gingivitis is typically painless, its symptoms can be easily ignored.
Consequently, most people have some gingivitis in one or more areas of their mouths, but they are unaware of it.
If plaque is not removed, it starts to solidify and becomes calculus, also referred to as tartar.
On your teeth, calculus is a hardened deposit that comes in two varieties.
Types of Calculus
Salivary glands in healthy individuals produce supragingival calculus on the lower front teeth, which is visible.
It originates from the minerals in your saliva and has a creamy golden colour.
The more dangerous variety, known as subgingival calculus, is black in colour and develops beneath the gum line.
Even for a dentist, it can be difficult to identify because it is invisible. Thus, it is really challenging to get rid of it entirely.
Because there is blood present when your gums are swollen, it is black in colour.
If you have black subgingival calculus, you most likely have one of the more severe forms of gum disease.
Gingivitis is the only disease from the receding gums stages with a high chance of reversal. Regular checkups, cleanings, and good oral hygiene practices at home can prevent and reverse it.
2.Early Peridontitis
If gingivitis is not addressed, it can develop into early periodontitis, which can be disastrous.
Plaque and bacteria accumulate at and below the gum line, resulting in irritation and larger pockets between teeth and gums.
You can have chronic poor breath, sensitive teeth, or more pain when brushing or flossing.
If you think you may have early periodontitis, you should think about seeing a professional dentist.
Only they can offer you the right care to stop the disease from getting worse and protect your precious smile.
3.Mild Periodontitis
Moderate periodontitis, which results from untreated initial periodontitis, is the third one from the receding gums stages.
As germs and plaque spread below the gum line, the jawbone and tissue supporting your teeth sustain significant damage.
Without treatment, receding gums become uncomfortable, which may lead to loose or moving teeth or possibly tooth loss.
4.Severe Periodontitis
People lose multiple teeth by the time they reach this phase from the receding gums stages.
A bad-tasting discharge from your inflamed gums is another sign of stage three periodontal disease.
In this phase, the remaining teeth are also loose. They are not strong enough to handle the force of your bite when you try to chew because there isn't enough gum or bone to support them.
The front teeth will be noticeably splayed and drifting, and spaces will appear between them.
At this point, receiving treatment is vitally essential.
Progression of periodontal disease may result in other severe health issues, including diabetes or even a heart attack.
Although it cannot be undone, it can be controlled. Stabilizing gum disease at this advanced stage with the assistance of your periodontist is still feasible.
When Stage 4 is reached, people think about having all of their teeth extracted and having dental implants placed in their place.
The issue is that gum disease can also affect dental implants. Gum disease and implants are far more expensive and difficult to treat.
Also, once you replace your teeth, you will never get the natural ones. So, you need to take this decision very seriously.
It is highly advised that you speak with a skilled periodontist before making this decision.
If you want to know some good teeth replacement options, here is a blog for you.
5.Advanced Periodontitis
This is the last one from the receding gums stages.
Significant tooth and bone loss is a symptom of advanced periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease.
However, by this time, many teeth may have already been lost, and the ones that are left may start to deteriorate.
The teeth are not supported enough by the weakening bone or gum tissues, which makes it difficult to bite or chew food.
For advanced periodontitis, the patient needs urgent care to maintain overall health and avoid any further aggravations.
6 Methods For Preventing Receding Gums
Prevention plays a major part in maintaining healthy gums and preventing gingival disease.
You may dramatically lower your risk of gum disease by implementing the following habits into your daily life:
Keep up a healthy oral hygiene regimen: You should brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss frequently, and use an antiseptic mouthwash afterward.
Frequent dental checkups: See a dentist on a frequent basis for checkups to identify gum disease or receding gums stages early on and obtain the appropriate treatment choices.
Restrict sugary meals and beverages: Reducing the amount of sugary foods and beverages can help stop the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
Give up smoking: Tobacco use and smoking increase the risk of gum disease and hinder healing.
Maintain a balanced diet: Consuming a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for the gums.
Control your stress: Stress may aggravate gum disease and result in the progression of receding gums stages. To reduce your stress, consider relaxation techniques or physical activity.
5 Receding Gums Treatments
Treatment is usually not necessary for moderate occurrences of gum recession.
Dentists may offer gum monitoring services and preventative advice.
Teaching someone how to brush thoroughly but gently is an efficient early intervention.
If a patient does need treatment for various receding gums stages, a dentist may recommend one or more of the following:
Manage sensitive teeth: Desensitizing chemicals, varnishes, and dentin bonding agents aim to lessen the sensitivity of exposed tooth roots. They ease the discomfort of brushing sensitive teeth while treating nerve symptoms and maintaining good oral hygiene.
Composite restoration: To cover the root's surface, a dentist applies composite resins that match the colour of the teeth. Additionally, they can seal dental gaps.
The substance, known as pink porcelain or composite, shares the same pink hue as the gums. Dentists can use it to close up spaces left by receding gums.
Removable gum veneers: Usually made of silicone or acrylic, these artificially fill in the vast area where recession has left the gums absent.
Orthodontics: This category includes procedures that gradually shift dental positions over an extended length of time. This shifting can straighten the gum line and facilitate tooth cleaning.
Surgery: A dentist will use tissue grafts from other oral regions. This treatment can heal the compromised tissues in the severe receding gums stages, so professionals normally use it to address badly receding gums.
FAQs
Are receding gums dangerous for your overall health?
If left untreated, receding gums can raise the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and sensitivity, which can lead to tooth loss and other dental issues.
Is pain a sign of receding gums?
Even though receding gums may not hurt, they can result in gum soreness and tooth sensitivity, particularly when exposed roots come into contact with hot, cold, or acidic foods.
Is it possible to stop the gum recession?
While professional care and better dental hygiene can stop a recession in its early stages, severe cases may need gum grafting or other surgical intervention.
Summary
In the early receding gums stages, when you encounter gum swelling, discomfort, and poor breath.
If you don't get treatment, then the issue gets worse, and you run the danger of developing cavities, infection, and loss of teeth and bones.
Furthermore, periodontitis is the condition where your gums peel away from your teeth.
Therefore, if you don't want the situation to get complicated, be mindful of the symptoms from the beginning.
With regular dental visits for cleaning from a reputed clinic as you age, you can keep the problem of receding gums at bay.