Tooth loosening and rolling back of the gums at the level of the tooth: what treatment?

Among the various dental problems, loosening is one that can have serious consequences for your health. This results in various unpleasant sensations: do your teeth react in an unusual way to changes in temperature, cold, hot? Are your gums and teeth sensitive and sore for no apparent reason? Do you notice swelling of the gums at the neck of a tooth or several teeth? In this case, we invite you to quickly make an appointment with your dentist, it is possible that you are suffering from gum recession and tooth loosening ! However, there is no need to panic, MyVariations explains the symptoms, causes and consequences of loosening shoes and how to apply the right daily treatment to these health concerns, which are much more common than it seems! 

Tooth receding is characterized by retraction of the gum around the tooth (or recession), which then results in exposure of the tooth root. This is the most advanced stage of a common periodontal disease: periodontitis. 

Periodontitis is an infectious disease that destroys the supporting tissues of the teeth, namely the gums, the alveolar ligament and the alveolar bone. It is caused by dental plaque , a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. If plaque is not removed through regular brushing and scaling, it can build up and cause inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis . If gingivitis is not treated, it can progress to periodontitis and loosening. 

Tooth loss is therefore a progressive condition which begins with inflammation of the gums. In other words, any gum problem must be treated so as not to reach the stage of periodontitis. 

A regular examination of this part of the mouth helps maintain healthy gums and highlights the warning signs, the most common of which are:

• A change in the color of the gums , including the presence of redness
• Unusual shine, with swelling and/or pain
• Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
• Persistent bad breath
• A taste of metal in the mouth, a dry mouth
• Sensitive teeth, sensitivity to sugar , hot/cold , and touch for no apparent reason.

To prevent any risk of gingivitis and periodontitis leading to loosening, it is essential to go to the dentist if you observe one or more of these symptoms.

Before the symptoms, periodontitis is above all the sum of risk factors which, little by little, cause inflammation of the gums and loosening of the teeth: 

• Poor oral hygiene
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Certain medications
• Certain autoimmune diseases
• The stress
• Pregnancy with 3 to 7 times more risks

Although several external elements that can trigger rolling up and loosening exist, certain factors predispose to these oral and dental conditions. 

The most common being:

• Gum already thin at the base. It will by definition be less resistant to the mechanical, chemical or bacteriological attacks to which it will be subjected over time. The thicker it is, the more effective and resistant it constitutes protection for the tooth. The thickness of the gingival tissues is responsible for the correct centering of the tooth within the dental arch.
• The original position of the teeth . Indeed, the thickness of the gum which surrounds a tooth shifted outwards is less for example. However, as we said just above, the thinner it is, the more vulnerable it is and retreats easily.
• The proximity of the labial frenulum, the band of fibrous tissue which connects the lip to the gingival wall, with the teeth. It is also a predisposing factor to sagging gums.

However, there are a certain number of triggering factors which are not innate.

Among the triggering factors which result from our own habits or behaviors, we find in the majority of cases, in addition to gingival inflammation due to poor hygiene :

• Attacks linked to inappropriate brushing , too strong, too fast or with too much pressure. It also happens that dentists encounter patients who use “ingredients” that are not recommended, for example to whiten their teeth . Be careful in particular with lemon, the acidity of which destroys tooth enamel, or bicarbonate which strips the tooth and weakens it.
• Wearing jewelry such as lip or tongue piercings , which irritate the gums through friction and ultimately cause premature wear. It can also happen that the lack of hygiene measures when fitting the jewelry causes bacteria to enter the oral cavity . 
• The presence of poorly adapted restorations or dental appliances (crowns, bridges, rings), which encourage the accumulation of bacteria that are aggressive to the gums.
• Repetitive vomiting , in the case of certain eating disorders, such as bulimia, or other illnesses. The chemical composition of the bile regurgitated during vomiting is very abrasive for the gums and teeth. 

Treatment for periodontitis depends on the severity of the disease . In mild cases detected early , the dentist carries out professional cleaning with root planing. This helps prevent bacteria from reaching the gums. Added to this are oral hygiene instructions which may be sufficient if the patient respects them.

In the most serious cases of loose teeth , it is unfortunately not possible to save the most heavily affected tooth(s). The dentist or stomatologist then replaces them with an implant or a bridge, which are expensive treatments. 

Other surgical treatments can be carried out depending on the case and the patient's state of health. There are three types of surgery: 

• Gingival grafting: which involves repositioning the gums to cover the exposed roots.
• Bone grafting: to replace lost bone.
• The installation of dental implants: replacing missing teeth with dental implants, on which dental crowns are placed.

Note that, even in the case of replacement, the gum and the bone on which the teeth are anchored were greatly weakened in the treated patients. They will then have to take double care of their teeth and their oral health in order to avoid any complications.