Below, a qualified dental doctor draws attention to how most of society has grown accustomed to caring for the teeth, but do not understand and recognise the need for gum care.
Differing tooth size – a deceptive view
Monika Ambrasienė, a periodontist at Dantų Harmonija dental clinic, explains that people who look at the mirror might feel that something is wrong with their smile as they notice disproportionate or uneven teeth.
Often, teeth are proportionate in size, but the gums have covered too much of the tooth crown. “One or a few teeth are covered slightly more, and so they appear shorter, which makes the smile seem crooked. This problem can be easily resolved through the evening out of the gums through dental plastics,” says Ambrasienė.
The procedure of gum contour-evening is simple and painless, and the result is immediately pleasing. “Upon evening out the gum, the teeth look bigger, the smile wider, and more expressive. Patients are left fascinated that it is all that was needed to correct their smile,” the doctor explains.
The other side – gum recession
The opposite problem exists as well – gum recession, where the gums shift from the dental root and its surface is exposed. This leads to tooth sensitivity to temperature, the aesthetic harmony of the smile is lost, and it is harder to brush the affected teeth.
A frequent reason for gum recession is aggressive tooth brushing. According to the specialist, when the teeth are brushed with excessive force, in the wrong direction, and with a soft toothbrush while the gums are thin, they are easy to damage. Recession can also be diagnosed after orthodontic treatment, during which the teeth are moved from the alveolar bone.
Dental recessions are treated through microsurgical gum plastics. Prior to this, it is necessary to select suitable personal oral hygiene measures, and give up habits harmful to oral health, such as smoking.
The Dantų Harmonija odontologist says that prophylaxis is the most affordable means of maintaining oral hygiene, and shares advice on how to care for the gums to make sure they stay healthy.
Three key gum care tips
- Thorough everyday hygiene. Brushing teeth with a suitable brush, using dental floss or interdental brushes, and cleaning hard-to-reach areas with a single toothbrush.
- Regular professional check-ups. Patients with healthy gums are advised to visit for oral hygiene twice a year. An oral hygienist who notices gum problems will directly refer to a periodontist.
- Everyday monitoring. If the gums are reddened, swollen or bleeding, it is a signal that a specialist should take a look at them.
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