Oral and Dental Health / Frequently Encountered Problems
What are the Causes of Gum Recession?
It has been observed that gum recession increases with aging. This is called ‘physiological gingival recession’. Gingival recession may be observed as a result of teeth being located outside the normal dental arch and the incisal edges of the upper front teeth exerting mechanical pressure on the gingiva on the front surfaces of the lower front teeth. Continuously applying excessive pressure to the gums as a result of brushing the teeth causes gingival recession. In such patients, bacterial plaque is not found on the front surfaces of the patient’s teeth, and abrasions are seen on the front surfaces of the teeth in the areas of recession. Gingival recession may be observed on surfaces that vary depending on the treatment technique applied. Continuously inserting foreign objects such as toothpicks or safety pins between the teeth can cause the gum in the relevant area to recede towards the root apex. In addition, the act of pushing the gum towards the root apex with a fingernail, which is seen in some individuals and attributed to psychosomatic factors, can also cause gingival recession. Excessive buccal convexity of the tooth roots can facilitate the occurrence of gingival recession.
How is Gum Recession Treated?
Sometimes, the simple problem of gum recession can be resolved with tartar cleaning. However, in severe recessions, it is not possible for it to return to its healthy state on its own. First, treatments in the initial stage are applied, and if necessary, surgery is performed and soft tissue grafts may be used. Therefore, by consulting a dentist and after anamnesis (questioning), the treatment method is decided based on the examination result.
What are the Causes of Gum Bleeding?
If the gums are bleeding, it means there is inflammation in the area of bleeding. This may be due to the causes of tartar diseases called ‘microbial dental plaque’ or traumatic factors from a bad filling or a bad crown. Bleeding can also occur as a result of a hard object hitting, but these are temporary gum bleedings. Genetic factors also have an effect on gum bleeding. However, the primary factor is always ‘microbial dental plaque’, and genetic factors often support this. In an individual affected by genetic factors, the disease progresses more slowly, causing less destruction over a longer period.
How is Gum Bleeding Treated?
If the disease has not progressed towards the underlying bone, that is, if it is only in the gums, the problem is solved with good care and oral hygiene. If it has reached the tissues under the gums, the average size of the disease has exceeded 2-3 mm, and it is not possible to clean at this distance with a toothbrush. For this, it is necessary to clean these areas through a dentist, correct the destroyed tissues, and restore the diseased tissues to a healthy state. After everything is under control, it needs to be maintained.
What are the Causes of Bad Breath?
Food residues remaining between the teeth, on the tongue, and in other surrounding tissues cause the formation of bad-smelling compounds through bacteria in the mouth. Tooth decay and gum diseases that develop due to lack of oral care worsen the situation. Poorly cleaned prostheses similarly cause bad breath to be felt more intensely. With the continuous use of some medications, in diseases related to the salivary glands, or in people who breathe continuously through their mouths, bad breath may develop due to a lack of saliva. Some foods we consume (onion, garlic, meat, fish, cheese, etc.) can cause our breath to smell bad. (This odor does not go away with cleaning the teeth and tongue. The odor will persist until the odor-causing food is completely eliminated from the body.) Similarly, tobacco products and alcohol also cause bad breath. Some diseases play a small role in the occurrence of bad breath. These include; diabetes, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, digestive system disorders, liver and kidney diseases. (The odor they create in the mouth may not be like the odors caused by bacteria in the mouth. For example, there is an acetone odor from the mouth in diabetic patients.)
How is Bad Breath Eliminated?
If there are decayed teeth, bleeding gums, or poorly cleaned prostheses in the mouth, the necessary treatments should be done. After the teeth and gums are brought to a healthy state, a toothbrush and dental floss should be used regularly to maintain this condition. In addition, the tongue must also be brushed. It is more appropriate to use tongue brushes specially produced for this purpose. Chewing sugar-free gum will increase saliva flow and contribute to the cleaning of food residues. The use of mouthwashes will help reduce bad breath. If the dentist determines that oral hygiene is sufficient, then extraoral sources should be investigated, and a specialist in the subject should be consulted.
What is the Cause of Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding is an involuntary movement that occurs with the contact of the lower and upper teeth as the chewing reflex becomes active during sleep. Although it usually occurs at night, it can also manifest itself in mild severity during short periods of sleep experienced during the day. Although the exact cause of teeth grinding is not known, some predisposing factors can be mentioned. ‘Stress’ holds an important place among these. Apart from that, digestive problems, sleep disorders, teeth occlusion problems, systemic diseases, and the use of some medications also prepare the ground for teeth grinding.
What Problems Does Teeth Grinding Lead To?
Mild teeth grinding does not cause any health problems in many people. However, in advanced grinding, abrasions occur primarily on the incisors as a result of the lateral movements of the lower jaw. With the involvement of the molars, this movement, which becomes even more severe, produces a serious sound, and this sound can reach disturbing levels for other people. The enamel surfaces of the teeth are difficult to wear down, but when the wear reaches the softer layer underneath, it continues to accelerate, and the susceptibility to decay increases. There is also the possibility of teeth breaking during this movement. Sometimes, gum recession also accompanies this condition. In advanced stages, the onset of sensitivity to cold, hot, sour, sweet, etc., in the teeth will be inevitable. A very high pressure is transmitted to the teeth and jaws during teeth grinding. Therefore, long-lasting teeth grinding can cause facial pain, neck pain, earaches, headaches, and discomfort in the temporomandibular joint.
How is the Problem of Teeth Grinding Treated?
Most people are not aware that they have a teeth grinding problem until they show any symptoms. This condition is usually noticed by the dentist during an oral and dental examination. In the early stages; night guards made by the dentist can be effective in preventing the wear of tooth surfaces. In the late stages; the damage that occurs in the teeth can be overcome with protective applications made by the dentist. In addition, eliminating the causes is also an effective method in treatment. For example, teeth occlusion disorders can be normalized with different methods. In such cases where the cause is not fully known, it is clear that reducing the stress factor will also be beneficial.