Are you living with an overgrowth of gum tissue surrounding your teeth? This problem is more common than you might think, but it can pose serious problems if left untreated. If you’re worried about the consequences of a gummy smile, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are things you can do to mitigate the issue and avoid many common oral health issues. Read on to learn how you can better manage your smile and ensure a healthier future.
Gummy Smile = Gum Disease
When left untreated, a gummy smile can lead to potentially severe oral health problems, one of the most common being gum disease. No matter the cause of your tissue overgrowth, its presence can make it much easier for bacteria and food particles to become trapped between your teeth and underneath the gum line. As a result, your soft tissues will become red, inflamed, and may even bleed when flossing and brushing. While symptoms can be reversed if caught early on, allowing plaque to further spread will only cause pockets to form and eventually begin to destroy the bone.
Of course, it’s not just your oral health that is at stake when faced with gum disease. Your overall well-being will also be negatively impacted. Gum disease is known to be linked to various health conditions, including neurological disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s, heart disease, poor gut health, and even diabetes.
Ways to Treat the Problem and Eliminate Overgrowth
To avoid the potential for gum disease, you not only need to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once before going to bed, but you should also consider removing the excess gum tissue around your teeth. To do this, your periodontist can recommend crown lengthening in Worcester. As a safe and effective method of treatment, it helps to eliminate unnecessary soft tissues and create a healthier, more even aesthetic.
With crown lengthening, your periodontist can use digital x-rays to examine the area beneath the gum line to determine how or if your tooth roots and bone are being impacted by your gingival display. Mapping out your treatment plan, they will administer local anesthesia to numb the appropriate areas of your mouth before carefully removing the excess tissue and exposing more of your natural tooth structure. As a result, not only will your smile appear more balanced and aesthetically pleasing, but it will be healthier and less likely to develop gum disease as long as you commit to maintaining good oral habits at home.
When talking with your periodontist to determine the underlying cause of your gummy smile, it’s best to divulge any medications or health conditions to narrow the potential reason behind the excess tissue. If necessary, you can talk to your physician about switching your prescription or undergoing treatment to minimize your risk for gum disease and further overgrowth of tissue.
Gummy smile correction in Worcester is a worthwhile treatment that produces life-changing results. If you’re ready to take charge of your oral health and say goodbye to your overgrown gums, let an experienced periodontist help you take the next step.
About the Practice
At Handsman & Haddad Periodontics, P.C., we are specialists in periodontal care. Not only can Dr. David Handsman and Dr. Todd Jenny implement available treatments to combat gum disease, but they can also provide reliable solutions to rid your smile of excess tissue. If you’re tired of seeing nothing but your gums when you look in the mirror, contact us at (508) 753-5444 to schedule an appointment.
