Do you feel as though your gums are overgrown, your teeth are too small, or your smile is, well, too gummy? Known as gingival overgrowth, having excess periodontal tissue can leave you feeling unhappy with your appearance and even put your smile at risk. Here’s a closer look at the dangers of overgrown gums, and how a gum recontouring treatment from your dentist can help!
What Are Overgrown Gums?
Just as the name implies, overgrown gums are gingival tissue that has overgrown due to a variety of possible causes, including:
- Genetics.
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Underlying medical conditions such as leukemia.
- Hormonal changes like puberty or pregnancy.
- Medication side effects, such as from seizure or blood pressure medication.
What Are the Risks of Overgrown Gums?
In addition to creating the illusion of too small teeth, overgrown gums can cause a variety of oral health problems, such as:
- Struggles keeping teeth and gums clean due to overlapping tissue.
- Increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Speech and/or bite issues.
- An unbalanced or asymmetrical “gummy” smile.
How Can My Dentist Correct Overgrown Gums?
The good news is that if you have a gummy smile, a cosmetic dentistry treatment from your dentist can help. Known as gum recontouring, this safe, effective procedure removes excess gingival tissue from around the base of the teeth, revealing more of their natural structure and making them appear larger and longer. This permanent treatment also benefits the smile by reducing your risk of developing oral health problems such as gum disease, bad breath, and tooth decay.
Remember, while a gummy smile may make you feel insecure and might even make it harder to keep your mouth healthy and clean, a gum recontouring procedure from your dentist could help. This permanent treatment safely and effectively removes excess gum tissue, revealing more of your natural teeth, thereby creating a broader, healthier smile in the process. To learn more about gum recontouring and to see if you qualify for this incredible treatment, speak to your dentist today!
About Our Practice
At Today’s Family Dental, our caring and compassionate dentists, Dr. De Rosso and Dr. Maximos are pleased to offer a variety of smile improving cosmetic dentistry treatments that have incredible oral health benefits, too! If you have a gummy smile and would like to learn more about how gum recontouring can reveal more of your natural teeth and make it easier to care for your oral health, schedule a consultation with us today by visiting our website or calling 908-689-9887.