There are many things that can keep us up at night. Marital stresses, financial issues, grief from the loss of a loved one, awaiting news on a new job – all of these things, and so much more, can make it harder to get the rest you need. What about physical issues? Aches and pains of various types with any number of causes can ruin your slumber, but toothaches are among the worst pains for trying to sleep through. One of the many causes of toothaches can be gum recession, which is a side effect of severe gum disease.
Describing Your Gum Tissue
Gums are more than just moist pink tissue in your mouth. Gingival tissue has the important job of covering over the inside of your tooth. Teeth are complex structures, far beyond what we see when someone smiles. Underneath the sealed off dentin are roots and pulp that are full of sensitive nerves. When gum disease and tooth decay occur, this barrier gets infiltrated, and more serious infections can occur when food gets trapped in these open pockets. That’s why the ideal mouth is complete with a healthy set of intact gums. As we age, however, or if you are one of the 80% of Americans that have some level of gum disease, there’s a chance that you could be a victim of gum recession.
Causes of Gum Recession
Gum recession can occur to some degree even in people with good oral health, as a normal sign of aging. However, recession is bound to be much worse when gum disease is present. Other causes of gum recession are:
Teeth grinding
Over-crowded teeth
Defective dental work
Other systemic diseases
Over-aggressive oral hygiene
Prevention is possible in the same way that you can slow or halt any dental issues. Practice good and regular oral hygiene (brushing teeth and flossing regularly) and visit your dentist every six months for exams and dental cleanings.
ABOUT YOUR WINNETKA DENTIST:
Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities, including; Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, and the Northern and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at 847-259-8030.
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