Healthy Gums for a Healthy Life in Los Angeles

Noticing that your teeth look a little longer than they used to, or that cold drinks suddenly make you wince, can be unsettling, and it is often the first sign that your gums are receding. At Forever Smile Dental Care in Los Angeles, Dr. Mehrshad Shelyan finds the cause of gum recession first and then treats it, often with Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, a gentle technique that repositions gum tissue through a tiny opening without the cutting and stitches of traditional grafting.

Seeing your gums as part of your whole health

Healthy gums do more than frame your smile, because they seal and protect the roots of your teeth and the bone that holds them. The ADA's MouthHealthy guide to gum disease lists gums that pull away from the teeth among its warning signs, and research continues to link gum health with the health of the rest of the body, which is why we look at your gums as part of caring for you as a whole person.

Understanding why gums recede

Gum recession usually builds slowly, and it rarely has just one cause. Brushing too hard or with a stiff brush, grinding or clenching your teeth, gum disease, crooked teeth, tobacco use and the gum tissue you were born with can all play a part. Finding the reason matters, because treating recession without addressing what caused it leaves the door open for it to return.

Signs your gums may be receding

• Teeth that look longer than they used to
• Sensitivity to cold, heat or sweets near the gumline
• A small notch you can feel where the tooth meets the gum
• Darker or yellower areas near the gumline where root surface shows
• New spaces opening between your teeth near the gums

Treating recession gently with Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation

For mild recession linked to gum inflammation, a deep cleaning and better home care may be enough to keep it from getting worse. When the gums have already pulled back, traditional grafting takes tissue from the roof of the mouth and stitches it in place, which many patients find uncomfortable to recover from.

Dr. Shelyan is trained in Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, a minimally invasive technique that most general dentists do not offer. Working through a small pinhole, he gently loosens and repositions your own gum tissue to cover exposed roots, with no scalpel and no stitches, so most patients have less discomfort and a quicker recovery than with a traditional graft. Covering those roots also helps protect your teeth from sensitivity and further wear.

Keeping your gums healthy for years

A soft-bristled toothbrush used gently, daily flossing, a night guard if you grind, not smoking and regular checkups all help your gums stay where they belong. At every visit we look at your gums closely, so small changes can be caught and treated while they are still easy to manage.

Questions about receding gums

Can receding gums grow back on their own?

No. Gum tissue that has receded does not grow back by itself, though treating the cause can keep it from getting worse. At our Los Angeles office, Dr. Shelyan can cover exposed roots with Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, which repositions your own gum tissue without cutting or stitches and protects the roots underneath.

Is Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation painful?

Most patients find it far more comfortable than a traditional gum graft, because there is no scalpel and no stitches. We numb the area first, and recovery is usually quicker and easier. Dr. Shelyan will explain exactly what your case involves and give you clear aftercare guidance at our Los Angeles office.

Why are my teeth suddenly sensitive near the gumline?

Sensitivity near the gumline often means the gums have pulled back and exposed part of the root, which has no enamel to protect it. Brushing too hard, grinding and gum disease are common causes. Dr. Shelyan can find the reason at our Los Angeles office and recommend the treatment that fits you best.

Does brushing too hard cause gum recession?

It can. Scrubbing hard or using a stiff brush can wear the gums back over time, especially along the outer surfaces of the teeth. A soft-bristled brush used with gentle, circular motions is kinder to your gums, and our Los Angeles team can show you a technique that cleans well without causing damage.