What causes teeth to loosen? Studio Paro's answers

Have you noticed that your teeth have been getting longer for some time now, and are you wondering what causes them to loosen?

Studio Paro, a dental practice specializing in the treatment of periodontal disease in Lyon 3rd district, answers your questions and explains why it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

What's the difference between receding teeth and receding gums?

If your gums seem to “recede” over your teeth, it’s tempting to see this as a sign of loosening of the teeth.

In fact, tooth loosening occurs when the gums evenly recede around the tooth, giving the impression of “melting”: the teeth are gradually uncovered and the root can be seen.

Gum retraction, on the other hand, occurs when there is trauma to the gums, such as over-aggressive brushing, orthodontic treatment (braces), lip or tongue piercing, or traction exerted on the gums by the lip brakes that attach the lips and tongue to the jawbone. This causes the gums to recede, with a similar aesthetic result of long teeth and irritated gums.

The phenomenon of gingival retraction is therefore purely mechanical, while the cause of tooth loosening is infectious. But what exactly does this mean in terms of consequences and treatment?

Periodontitis: the main cause of receding teeth

Periodontitis is the cause of tooth loosening when the recession is not of traumatic, and therefore mechanical, origin.

This dental disease, more widespread than you might think, is infectious in origin. It is not a simple inflammation of the gums, as is the case with gingivitis, but a serious infection affecting the periodontium, the term used to describe all the tissues supporting the teeth (alveolar bone, ligament, cementum and gums). Bacteria accumulate beneath the gums, forming “periodontal pockets”. The deeper the pockets, the greater the degree of loosening.

The causes of this accumulation of bacteria are often multifactorial: there is often a hereditary origin, but it can also be linked to the use of certain medications. Smoking can also promote infection. Despite the discomfort that receding gums can cause, the disease is not necessarily linked to oral hygiene. In fact, the absence of cavities increases the chances of being affected, as the bacteria present in a decayed mouth help to fight the bacteria responsible for periodontitis!

Why is it important to consult as soon as possible?

onsulting a periodontologist as soon as possible is essential in cases of periodontitis. Over and above the aesthetic discomfort caused by loosening and the infection itself (food sensitivity to cold, irritation, bleeding when brushing and/or eating, even spontaneous bleeding), periodontitis is a disease that progressively leads to the destruction of periodontal tissues, and can even result in tooth loss. What’s more, the infection can in some cases enter the bloodstream and cause major health problems, including heart disease.

In-office treatment consists of dental lithotripsy sessions to remove tartar from beneath the gums and clean up periodontal pockets, thereby stabilizing the disease and halting its progression to prevent tooth loss. It also helps to improve the appearance of the gums and the fit of the teeth in the jaw. These sessions are complemented by local treatments to be carried out at home (brushing with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, mouthwash, etc.).

Treatment of receding gums can be more complicated. A gum graft may be possible to cover tooth roots in some cases, but only if there is sufficient alveolar bone volume and the periodontitis is well stabilized.

Do you live in or near Lyon and would like more information about periodontal treatmentat our practice? Please call us on 04 82 29 73 54.