Too much or too little gum tissue can cause the gums to appear uneven. Some people will have this issue present their whole lives, while others may have it develop later in life. A crooked gumline has many causes from genetics to gum disease to hormone changes during pregnancy.

But what can be done about an uneven gumline? Here are your treatment options based on what could be causing this issue!

If Your Gums Are Receding

If your gumline is uneven due to receding gum tissue, you may see areas where the gums appear to pull back from the teeth, giving some teeth a longer appearance and exposing tooth roots. A receding gumline can also be caused by:

• Brushing your teeth too aggressively
• Gum disease
• Smoking and tobacco use

You’ll need to visit your dentist to know for certain what the cause is. If your gum recession is the result of advanced gum disease, you may need a gum graft to repair missing gum tissue [1].

However, if the appearance of your gums is caused by aggressive brushing, switching to a softer toothbrush may be able to help.

If You Have Gummy Smile

Your uneven gums could be caused by gummy smile, a condition in which gum tissue covers too much of the teeth. Gummy smile could also be caused by the muscles in the upper lip exposing too much gum tissue when smiling, in which case, dental treatment may not be appropriate.

While gummy smile typically doesn’t affect oral health, it can be treated in a cosmetic procedure called gingival contouring, or gum contouring, which can be done with a laser to essentially reshape the gum tissue to permanently improve appearance [2].

If the Cause is Genetic

When uneven gums are caused by genetics, gum reshaping is usually the best treatment option to give you a smile that looks natural and healthy.

This form of cosmetic gum surgery will require that you treat any underlying issues beforehand—for instance, if you have a mild form of gum disease, it’ll need to be addressed before the procedure.

A gum contouring procedure can be done at your dentist’s office with local anesthesia and requires minimal recovery time, for some patients a few days and up to two weeks depending on your unique smile [3]. Your dentist can let you know more about what to expect during your consultation.

Are You Experiencing Uneven Gum Tissue?

If you have uneven gums, there is treatment available to help restore your appearance based on what’s causing the issue. Your dentist can further evaluate your gums to determine how best to treat your irregular gumline and give you a beautiful smile.

Schedule an appointment with your oral healthcare professional today to learn about your options!

Sources:
1. https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-graft-surgery
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4672859/
3. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gum-contouring-procedure#2-6

The post What Can Be Done to Treat an Uneven Gumline? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

A TMJ disorder is best diagnosed by a professional dentist who can evaluate the signs and
symptoms of your TMJ pain and talk with you about treatment. In the meantime, what are the
signs that a person might have a TMJ disorder?

Clicking or Popping Noises in Your Jaw

One of the most common signs that a person has an issue with their TMJ is a cracking, clicking,
or popping noise in the jaw. This noise is most commonly heard when opening or closing your
mouth, such as when speaking or chewing.

These noises can not only be aggravating, but usually come with some discomfort as well,
making them a sign of TMJ disorders that shouldn’t be ignored.

Jaw Pain or Additional Pain

People who suffer from a TMJ disorder commonly have jaw pain or other pain that radiates
tension throughout their head, neck, and in some cases, even the shoulders and back. When
the joint isn’t able to function properly, the jaw muscles surrounding the joint can become
tense and sore.

This tension can then radiate outwards and cause everything from jaw pain to headaches and
neck and back pain. Even earaches have been associated with TMJ pain, so don’t hesitate to
talk with your dentist if you’re having unexplained pain in your jaw that’s affecting other areas
of your body.

You Have Unexplainable Medical Problems

If you have medical problems that can’t be explained by any other cause, it might be a TMJ
disorder. These conditions may include:

* Chronic ear pain or infections. If these infections or pain don’t have any specific cause, it might be time to get your TMJ checked out—this joint is located very close to the ear and can cause problems!

* Ringing in the ears. If you have tinnitus without any definitive cause, this could be the result of a TMJ disorder as well.

* Bruxism. If you grind your teeth, you may be seeing signs of a TMJ disorder. Bruxism can happen for people who have a misaligned bite and can put excessive pressure on the jaw, therefore aggravating your TMJ. In addition, grinding your teeth can also be caused by tension in your jaw and therefore be a sign of a problem with your TMJ.

* Migraines. Tension headaches or migraines have long been associated with problems
with the TMJ. Any unexplained or persistent migraines may warrant an exam from your dentist!

Don’t wait to get any of the above problems evaluated to see if TMJ could be the culprit!

Are you seeing signs of a TMJ disorder in your daily life? Your dentist can examine your jaw as
well as your bite to provide you with a more specific diagnosis. Make an appointment with your
dentist today—TMJ disorders are treatable and you don’t have to suffer from these signs and
symptoms!

The post How Do I Know if I Have TMJ? What Are the Signs? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Impacted wisdom teeth often require extraction in the presence of symptoms. What do you need to know about extraction of impacted wisdom teeth?

Addressing Symptoms Before the Surgery

If your impacted wisdom teeth have been causing you symptoms, these problems will need to be taken care of before the extraction takes place. An infected wisdom tooth or irritated gums will require treatment before the surgery happens in order to minimize the chances of infection after the surgery. If you’re getting your impacted wisdom teeth removed, chances are that they’re causing you some problems. Talk to your dentist to see if your symptoms need to be treated before the procedure to encourage a smooth surgery and faster healing time!

Breaking Up the Tooth

During the extraction of your impacted wisdom teeth, your oral surgeon may need to break up the individual teeth into pieces. This would happen if your wisdom teeth are coming in at an extreme angle or if the tooth is simply too large to be removed in one piece. Your oral surgeon will cut the tooth into pieces with a drill and then fully remove all the pieces from the socket. This practice is generally easier for the patient as well in regards to healing time.

If your tooth hasn’t fully emerged through the gumline, the extraction is likely to be more involved. This is because your oral surgeon may need to cut through bone in order to reach the tooth. The bone itself may be preventing the tooth through coming in properly. The more involved the procedure is, the more likely your healing time will be affected because of the larger wound created during the removal.

Healing Time

Your oral surgeon can talk with you about your expected healing time based on how the procedure went. While impacted wisdom teeth typically require a more involved extraction procedure based on their tricky position in the mouth, the majority of people heal within a few days after the procedure. Your surgeon can let you know what to expect and talk with you about your estimated healing time. If your impacted wisdom teeth required no bone extraction and weren’t coming in sideways, you may have an easier time healing!

Although having no symptoms may mean your wisdom teeth may not need to be removed, you should always check with your dentist to determine the potential consequences of leaving your impacted wisdom teeth in. Impacted wisdom teeth often cause symptoms that require their removal. Extracting impacted wisdom teeth is a little more difficult than normal wisdom teeth, but you should heal and feel back to normal in no time!

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