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What Is Gum Disease?
Do you experience sharp pain when drinking something cold or hot? Or perhaps, the pain comes when you put something sour in your mouth? Sensitive teeth may be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease damages gum tissue, causing it to move upwards (recede) along the tooth's surface, exposing the root and creating a very sensitive place to changes in temperature and exposure to food particles.
Gum disease can affect anyone, especially as you get older. Research shows that up to 88% of people over 65 suffer from gum disease and receding gums. The good news is that you don't have to continue to suffer. A periodontist can easily treat this condition.
The newly developed Pinhole Surgical Technique for treating receding gums provides a good long-term solution. Especially when managed by an experienced dentist with extensive periodontal training like Dr. Gregory Meyers of Pinole Periodontics and Dental Implants.
Causes of Gum Disease
Three major factors usually cause gum disease: genetics, lack of proper dental care, or vigorous brushing. Some people are just more prone to develop damage to their gums. So, if you are genetically predisposed to gum disease, you are more likely to develop it throughout your life.
However, despite genetics, we need to look after our teeth daily to ensure their health. Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride enriched toothpaste and a toothbrush that is neither too soft nor too hard ensures a healthy mouth for many years. Yet, some people are obsessed with tooth brushing. They brush their teeth every time after eating, brushing them so forcefully that they damage the soft gum tissue. Over the years, the damage to the gums becomes severe, and the gums move upwards, exposing the root of the tooth.
What is the Pinhole Surgical Technique?
The pinhole gum surgery technique is a relatively new procedure that treats gum recession as an alternative to traditional soft tissue grafting. It is minimally invasive where the periodontist creates a tiny pinhole in the gum tissue and places a stretching device to expand the gum. Once the gum tissue is stretched sufficiently to cover the exposed tooth area, small collagen strips are placed into the opening to hold the stretched gum in place. The collagen strips stimulate the growth of new gum tissue, creating brand-new tissue to cover the exposed area.
The pinhole technique can be used simultaneously on multiple teeth, treating the whole mouth at once. Correcting all the affected teeth in one sitting is efficient and cost-effective. Also, the technique minimizes the pain and reduces healing time.
So, if you are suffering from painful, sensitive teeth, visit Dr. Gregory Meyers at Pinole Periodontics and Dental Implants. He will gently examine, diagnose, and treat your mouth to end your suffering.