User:Vonyei Fita/Gingival recession

Management and Prevention

Professional Care

Although gingival recession is irreversible, it can be managed and treated to prevent symptoms from worsening. It’s recommended by researchers that patients would benefit most by attending dentists at intervals ranging from 13 months to 120 months. It’s even more so critical to work with a dental professional if symptoms of gingival recession become apparent, as it may suggest candidacy for a treatment plan. According to Dr. George K. Merijohn DDS, a patient is a candidate for surgical evaluation of gingival recession treatment if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

1.     documented evidence of progressive gingival recession.

2.     persistent gingival inflammation (e.g. bleeding on probing, swelling, edema, redness and/or tenderness) despite appropriate therapeutic interventions, in combination with clinical attachment loss >5 mm and/or gingival recession ≥2 mm; and/or

3.     persistent gingival inflammation despite appropriate therapeutic interventions and association of the inflammation with shallow vestibular depth that restricts access for effective oral hygiene, frenum position that compromises effective oral hygiene and/or tissue deformities (e.g. clefts or fissures).

File:Mouth Guard Image.pdf

Mouthguard used to alleviate symptoms of bruxism

Mouthguards

Self-inflicted trauma and habits such as bruxism destroy periodontal tissue can be alleviated by a mouthguard. Former DTA president James Green asserts that the purpose of a mouthguard is to cover and protect the teeth and surrounding mucosa to prevent and reduce trauma to the teeth, gingival tissue, lips, and jaws. Mouthguards prevent periodontal tissue damage by restricting the jaws from meeting and reducing pressure and subsequent damage (cite). Studies show that in patients afflicted with periodontal pain, the group that wore mouthguards experienced less pain than the group that did not. There are different types of mouthguards available, stock and mouth adapted are available at commercial drug stores, whereas custom-made are designed by an orthodontist.

Tooth scaling and root planing

The process of tooth scaling treatment involves dental professionals removing tartar buildup from individuals with severe gingival recession. Root planing involves removing tartar buildup from the roots of teeth, below the gum line. In a study conducted on the effectiveness of this treatment on periodontitis, it was determined that tooth scaling and root planing in combination with photodisinfection lead to significant improvements in the reduction of periodontitis and subsequent worsening of gingival recession.

Adoption of an oral health care regimen

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums at home with an oral healthcare regimen of gentle brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash is the easiest method of treating and preventing gingival recession. Studies have shown that overaggressive brushing and flossing causes gum recession due to damaging the gingival tissue and exposure of the root structure. Antibacterial mouthwash in complement to brushing and flossing is effective at cleaning the gumline and reducing plaque and tartar buildup. In a study conducted on the efficacy of active ingredients in antibacterial mouthwash, “evidence suggests that a mouthwash containing the active ingredient chlorhexidine (CHX) is the most effective at achieving plaque control, and that the most reliable alternative is essential oils.”