Your gums need just as much attention and maintenance as your teeth. A lack of gum care not only impacts your oral and general health but also affects the physical appearance of your smile.
Gums are the protective tissue between your teeth and jawbone. Gums are also called gingiva. They are the pink, fleshy tissue inside your mouth from which the teeth protrude. Gums form a tight seal around the teeth to keep them in place and protect against bacteria and germs that can eventually eat away at the bone and cause tooth loss.
A Gum graft can offer improved tooth protection and enhance a smile’s appearance.
What Is Gum Recession?
Gum recession involves the receding back of the tissue surrounding the teeth, exposing more of the tooth or the tooth’s root. Most patients don’t notice that their gums have receded because it’s a gradual process. Over time, an exposed tooth root looks unattractive and can cause tooth sensitivity, especially when eating cold or hot foods.
Gum recession, if not treated, can damage the surrounding bone of the tooth and make the teeth appear longer. It can create pockets for bacteria to thrive in.
Causes of Gum Recession
The leading causes of gum recession include:
- Periodontal (gum) disease,
- Inadequate oral hygiene,
- Diabetes and other illnesses which increase your risk of infection,
- Hormonal changes,
- Genetics,
- Smoking and chewing tobacco, and
- Aggressive or improper brushing techniques.
Gum grafts in Okemos, MI are an effective treatment for arresting the process of gum recession and bone loss. Gum grafts can also help to reduce tooth sensitivity and protect the roots of the teeth from decay.
What Is Gum Grafting?
Gum grafting is a procedure that transfers healthy gum tissue from one area of the mouth and uses it to build up and restore damaged gums that have receded.
Gum grafting allows a periodontist in Okemos, MI to treat and restore receding gums by transferring healthy gum tissue from one part of the mouth to another. This has the benefit of covering any exposed roots or bone and also provides stable support for your teeth. Gum graft procedures include Pedicle graft, Connective-tissue graft, and Free Gingival graft.
Gum grafting involves carefully placing a small amount of new tissue in an area where little or no gum tissue currently exists. Your dentist in Okemos, MI, will typically recommend this treatment to prevent further gum recession or to cover the root surfaces of your teeth that have become exposed. The tissue used in this procedure may come from various sources but is usually taken from the palate (roof of the mouth) after the area has been numbed for your comfort. Even donated tissue from another person may be used in gum grafting, which has been medically processed to make it safe.
The new tissue is carefully and delicately stitched in a place where it’s needed, using suturing material which may be finer than a strand of human hair.
What Happens After The Procedure?
You will be able to go home after your procedure. However, if you have been given a sedative, you must ensure that a responsible family member or friend drives you home.
The amount of pain you will have to endure after surgery depends on the type of gum graft performed. If tissue is removed from your palate, you may be uncomfortable for a few days. However, prescription pain medication can help keep you comfortable.
Soups and smoothies are recommended for the first few days after the treatment.
After your gum graft procedure, eat soft, cool foods such as ice cream, cheese, eggs, pasta, yogurt, and well-cooked vegetables for a week or two.
Your body’s natural recovery takes over after the grafting procedure. During this time, new blood vessels grow into the graft and help it to integrate with the surrounding tissue. A successful graft can reduce or eliminate issues like tooth sensitivity and further gum recession, as well as improve the aesthetics of your smile.
Schaefer Dental Group – Begin Your Personalized Smile Transformation With Us
Dental patients in Michigan trust Schaefer Dental Group’s multi-clinic practice to find permanent solutions for challenging or complex dental problems.
Backed by state-of-the-art technology available under one roof, our patients appreciate our innovative, effective, and safe treatment procedures and our aftercare.
Whether you require a gum grafting procedure for cosmetic reasons or to help treat gum disease, several options are available. At Schaefer Dental Group, we provide both surgical and less invasive procedures to help restore and repair your gums.
Call us to schedule a consultation to discuss treatment options to help you get that perfect smile.
