Receding Gums in Singapore Causes, Treatment & Cost

What are receding gums?

Receding gums happens when the gums draw back from the teeth, hence exposing the roots underneath. The condition is common - more than 80% of people aged 65 and have one or more sites with receding gum. Receding gums can be an early sign of serious gum disease so get it treated soon.

What causes receding gums?

Common causes of receding gums include genetics, poor oral hygiene such as aggressive tooth brushing, and periodontal disease. Those with poor lifestyle habits, for example smoking, and underlying medical
conditions such as diabetes, may have a higher risk of gum recession.
Here are other causes:

• Certain oral piercings
• Hormonal changes
• Grinding and clenching of your teeth (bruxism); and
• Teeth misalignment

Receding gums stages

The first and mildest stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which is characterised by inflammation and occasional bleeding of the gums upon brushing. Left untreated, it can evolve into the far more destructive periodontitis, which can be summarised into 4 stages.

Development of periodontitis

Inflammation can turn from occasional to chronic (and destructive) for the connective tissues located between the roots of the teeth and their sockets. At Stage 1, although the gums are likely to bleed during brushing, few people notice pain.

If untreated, the condition progresses to the moderate Stage 2, where damage in the fibres of your teeth’s roots and their sockets worsens.

By Stage 3 of periodontitis, you may risk tooth loss. Your teeth could appear longer due to recession of the gums; bad breath is a symptom, as are loose teeth. It is after this stage that people are likely to have lost several teeth.

A common solution at this stage is to have all remaining teeth removed, in order to make room for dental implants.

Receding gums symptoms

The first symptoms of gum disease you may notice are swelling and bleeding of gums, especially after brushing. These are easy to dismiss as temporary issues, but increased inflammation - accompanied by pain in the gum line - as well as bad breath are likely to follow.

The gums shrink at a visible rate, which exposes the roots. It ultimately causes the loosening of one, multiple or most teeth.

What are the risks of receding gums?

Many people are tempted to hope that gum disease resolves on its own. Gum recession is a progressive condition, aggravating destructively unless further action is taken. Although the slight pain may be tolerable at first, this can extend to the gum line, finally worsening to when even chewing becomes painful.

The ultimate risk of receding gums is teeth loss, as there will be less tissue to hold them securely in place.

Receding gums treatment

Treating gum recession in the early stages is easier; this can be done solely through medication such as antibiotics. These can be highly effective in the treatment of infections in the gums. Otherwise, there are 2 primary forms of gum surgery to treat the recession: flap surgery, and grafting.

Flap surgery enables the periodontist to perform a deep cleaning. He or she creates a flap by lifting the gums, and after eliminating the bacteria closes the flap. Root planing sessions can help to remove hardened plaque from beneath the gums.

Grafting, meanwhile, uses a synthetic particle, gum drafts or bone to hasten regeneration of gums. It aims to save as much of the gum tissue or bones as possible. Other complementary treatments such as scaling
and polishing, dental veneers or Invisalign clear aligners can improve the appearance of damaged teeth - yes, even if you’ve previously battled receding gums.

How to prevent receding gums

As with many dental conditions, prevention is the first line of defence. It is mostly based on proper lifestyle habits that facilitate oral health.

Having solid oral hygiene, with regular brushing and flossing, therefore, is a good starting point. Avoiding smoking, teeth grinding and other risk factors will also help prevent gum recession. A visit to your dentists can help you correct your brushing and flossing techniques, and assess improvement required to your routine.

How much does receding gums treatment cost in Singapore?

On average, the cost of receding gum treatment at private dental clinics in Singapore ranges between $800 and upwards of $2,000.

Can receding gums grow back?

Damaged gums cannot grow back. With periodontitis, for example, the lost gum tissue cannot grow back. In less severe cases of receding gums, a considerable amount of tissue can still be saved, which inhibits the recession at an early stage.

Fortunately, and if detected early, receding gums can be stopped and treated. Patients need to consult our dentists for a full evaluation to identify the severity of your condition, followed by a deep cleaning
procedure to get rid of accumulated plaque in gum pockets.

How do I know if I have receding gums?

Watch out for bleeding and increased sensitivity of the gums during brushing and flossing. In more serious cases, you might experience pain in the gum line, accompanied by the visible shrinking of the gums, even in small proportions.

Lastly, if you experience bleeding and sensitivity issues, and your teeth suddenly start feeling looser, schedule an appointment at soon as possible.

How quickly do gums recede?

Gum recession can take years to develop and aggravate to the point where individuals realise that their gum tissue is receding. We recommend getting an assessment soon as you notice the first signs of gum disease.

Why Nuffield Dental for receding gums treatment?

As a one-stop multi-disciplinary dental group, Nuffield Dental’s motto is to put you first, providing personalised services based on needs and preferences.

We take pride that our dentists are clinically trained to provide different pain management options to give patients a smooth and comfortable experience.

Is receding gums treatment painful?

With the use of local anaesthesia, procedures such as gum grafting can be performed with little to no discomfort. Our dentists strive to make every experience as comfortable as possible, so that you can look forward to improved oral hygiene and a healthy and confident smile!

References

Kassab, M. M., & Cohen, R. E. (2003). The etiology and prevalence of Gingival recession. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 134(2), 220–225. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2003.0137

Midwood, I., & Hodge, P. (2018). Diabetes and gum disease: Does oral health matter? Journal of Diabetes Nursing, 22(3).
https://www.bsperio.org.uk/assets/downloads/Diabetes_and_Gum_Disease_jdn022-hodge.pdf

MacGill, M. (2018). Receding gums: Causes, symptoms, and treatment. Medical News Today.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312992

Cherney, K. (2018). Receding gums: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and more. Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-oral-health-receding-gums

Gum recession: Causes, prevention, Surgery & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.).
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22753-gum-recession