question about 1 tooth with a receding gum line?

Question

im calling to make an appointment with my dentist, to get my teeth cleaned. i have 1 tooth in the front on the bottom, that has a receding gum line, and has some plaque build up or whatever on it. im not sure what you call it. ive never had even so much as a cavity or any other work besides cleaning. i need to know what i should tell them is wrong with my tooth when i call to set up the appointment so i can have it taken care of when im there, and not need to make a 2nd appointment. is there a name for this???

Answer 1

You won't have to tell them if your scheduling for a cleaning, they will ask if you're having any problems and you can mention it then. They will let you know what causing it and what you can do to correct it. If you've had good hygiene and maintained regular appointments it's probably recession from tooth brush abrasion. If that's it you'll just need to change to a soft tooth brush and lighten up on your brushing. Or it could be from excessive plaque, tartar and calculus build up below the gum line that has the tissue irritated. Then you will need to floss and brush better in that area if this is the problem. It will be taken care of during the cleaning appointment. But if you've maintained your teeth, it's probably something minor that they will tell you how to correct. So when you call for the cleaning appointment you can tell them about it, or wait and tell them when you go in. I doubt they will set up a second appointment that day when they don't know what needs to be done yet, if anything beyond a cleaning. Hope I've been of some help today and don't worry your dentist will take care of the problem. Good luck!

Misty's advice isn't correct. As perio disease doesn't just appear in an anterior tooth, it's the progression of gingivitis that's left untreated that advances into perio disease, it doesn't affect just one anterior tooth. It's usually not as bad in the anteriors as they are brushed much better being the smile teeth.

Answer 2

I'm a dentist.

It depends on how far receded the gum is. If it's receded far below the other areas of gingiva, it may not be due to periodontal disease, and may instead be due to occlusal trauma (i.e. traumatic biting on that tooth).

It is essential that you have it evaluated by your doctor. Lower anterior teeth, like the one you described, have the least amount of hard tissue and soft tissue support of any teeth in the mouth, and as such damage to the supporting tissues progresses more rapidly and produces tooth mobility faster than in any other area of the mouth--eventually resulting in tooth loss.

Answer 3

It`s called peridontal diease. Your dentist will probably refer you to a periodontist to repair the gum damage. They remove skin from the roof of your mouth.