It’s easy to think that dental problems present with obvious signs, right? A bit of tooth pain, sensitivity to heat or cold, changing enamel color, or feeling loose generally means a visit to the dentist, but many symptoms go unnoticed by people all the time.
Some common examples of these signs we take for granted include bad breath (halitosis), dry mouth (xerostomia), bleeding gums, and jaw pain. This is especially common if the symptoms persist for only a brief period.
Another common sign that gets overlooked is when your teeth start looking longer than before. At Hillsdale Dental Care in San Jose, California, Dr. Roge Jacob and Dr. Magdalena Azzarelli can assess if this is an indication of gum issues — which can have long-term effects on your dental health if you’re not careful.
Gum disease is a widespread condition that affects about half of the American population and comes with a variety of symptoms. Bleeding gums (a sign of gingivitis or gum inflammation) is one of the early signs of this condition, while teeth “looking longer” is a sign of gum recession or gum pocketing.
This means your teeth appear longer because the gums are receding away from them.
There’s even an old expression that indicates the phenomenon, when someone is referred to as being “long in the tooth.” It’s used to refer to someone who’s getting older, as if it’s a natural part of the aging process. While people over the age of 65 are more likely to experience gum recession and tooth lengthening, it’s not a normal or expected part of aging.
Gum recession can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from aggressive brushing and tartar buildup to tobacco use, lip and tongue piercings, and gum trauma. Having braces can also increase your risk of developing receding gums.
Essentially, any dental issue that affects the gums increases the chances of further oral infection and potential infections elsewhere in the body.
The complications of this condition depend on whether it’s mild, moderate, or severe. In general, having recessed gums makes cavities more likely, as plaque and bacteria can get deeper into exposed teeth. If you have several teeth with this issue, they’re all at risk.
There are surgical and non-surgical solutions for managing gum recession, which include:
The bottom line? Being “long in the tooth” is a likely sign of gum problems that need to be addressed. To find out how we can help, schedule an appointment at Hillsdale Dental Care in San Jose, California, today.
