Consequences of gingival recession

Exposed tooth necks react to changes in temperature caused by cold air or by cold drinks or food. With extensive gingival recession, those affected can suffer considerably. The pain, which can be severe, is usually sharp and short-lived.

Those affected are advised to drink cold drinks through a straw or to cover the affected tooth necks regularly with suitable fluoride gels. At the same time, oral hygiene must be adapted accordingly and, if necessary, corrected.

If the symptoms persist, you should see your dentist to have the situation assessed further.

Because the tooth substance on the surface of the exposed root is less hard, a persistently incorrect oral hygiene technique will wear away (abrade) the root surface. This creates notches which, because of their shape, are also called wedge-shaped defects.

If the toothbrushing technique is not adjusted, the bristle tips of a toothbrush can exert strong forces on the softer dentine again with every stroke. This further accelerates the development of abrasion.

Advanced abrasions more than one millimetre deep can be treated with a composite filling. This treatment usually reduces the sensitivity of the tooth neck immediately.

Like all other hard surfaces in the mouth, exposed root surfaces are colonised by bacterial plaque. Because the substance of the tooth root is softer than the enamel of the tooth crown above it, decay can develop earlier on the root surface. This so-called root caries can also penetrate more quickly into the depth of the tooth.

For these reasons, root caries needs better prevention, and exposed root surfaces in gingival recession should be monitored closely. In addition, the risk of gingival recession, and thus of root caries, increases with age.

Regular check-ups in the dental practice allow the affected teeth to be well cared for professionally. Furthermore, the regular use of fluoride toothpaste effectively helps to prevent root caries.

As the gum margin recedes, the affected teeth appear to have become longer. As a rule, these areas remain invisible to others. Only when they laugh do those affected show their gingival recession, usually involuntarily.

In some cases, gingival recession can also cause considerable distress for aesthetic reasons. A consultation with the dentist and, where appropriate, a referral to a specialist in periodontology is then advisable.