Causes of Gum Overgrowth and How to Fix It

Though you like the look of your pearly whites, you always thought something about your smile seemed a little off. One day when flipping through old photos of you and your friends, you notice something: your smile is gummier than theirs. What can cause one’s beam to look this way? Read on to learn about the causes of gum overgrowth as well as how your dentist can correct it.

4 Causes of Gum Overgrowth

Also called gingival hyperplasia, gum overgrowth occurs when the soft tissues surrounding your teeth covers much of their structure. There are several things that can cause gum overgrowth, including:

• Gum disease –This infection of the gums is often caused by improper brushing and flossing. It’s characterized by gums that are red, irritated, inflamed, and bleed easily when you brush or floss your teeth.
• Medications – Some medications that help manage heart conditions, prevent seizures, or lower your immune system activity can cause gum overgrowth.
• Genetics – Some people have a genetic predisposition to having a gummy smile.
• Systemic health conditions – Things like being pregnant or having leukemia, HIV, diabetes, lymphoma, vitamin deficiencies, or anemia can result in gingival hyperplasia.

How Gum Overgrowth Can Affect My Smile

Apart from making your teeth appear shorter than they really are, the excess tissue caused by gingival hyperplasia can be harmful to your gums, teeth, and jawbone. If gum disease develops and isn’t promptly treated, this can lead to the destruction of your jawbone. This can cause your teeth to become loose, and they may even fall out. If the infection enters the bloodstream, this can lead to disorders like dementia, respiratory illness, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, kidney disease, poor gut health, and cardiovascular disease.

What Can I Do to Correct a Gummy Smile?

If you have any symptoms of gum disease, speak to your dentist about receiving periodontal therapy. This may involve treatment like scaling and root planing. This is a safe, effective way to remove plaque and tartar from one’s teeth and gums. The tooth roots will then be carefully reshaped to make them smoother and prevent plaque and tartar from building up near the gums in the future. This also allows your gums to heal much faster.

In addition to scaling and root planing, maintaining optimal oral hygiene by brushing twice and flossing once daily can help prevent or eliminate the infection in its early stages. Limiting your intake of sugars and starches and eating healthier foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients is also beneficial. Additionally, since stress is a common culprit of gum disease, managing it can lower your risk.

Along with the above suggestions, seeing your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings can also help treat or prevent gum disease. By doing this, you can keep your smile healthy and looking lovely!

About the Practice

If you’ve been on the lookout for a talented team of oral health professionals in the Grand Prairie area, Real Dental is here to help. Led by four skilled dentists, they administer exceptional services to patients of all ages from their comfortable, inviting DFW dental office. If you’re dealing with gum overgrowth or periodontal disease, they can work with you to get to the root of the issue. Before you know it, your gums and pearly whites will be back on track! To schedule an appointment or for more information, call (817) 406-7239 or visit their website to get started.