Can Your Bite Cause Gum Recession?

Your bite could be the reason your gums are receding...Gum recession is not always caused by poor oral hygiene or gum disease. In many patients, the real problem is the way the upper and lower teeth come together. Bite misalignment, teeth grinding, clenching, and other excessive occlusal forces can place repeated stress on the teeth and supporting bone, contributing to tooth wear, bone loss, exposed tooth roots, and receding gums.

In this video, Dr. John Ku of W Plus Dental in Washington, DC, explains how an uneven bite may contribute to gum recession and why treating the underlying cause is so important before moving forward with gum grafting.

For this patient, the teeth are not coming together in an ideal position. You can see grooves and notches along the exposed root surfaces, along with significant gum recession. When the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly, excessive forces can contribute to tooth wear and loss of supporting bone around the teeth.

That is why treatment may involve more than simply covering the exposed roots.

🦷 Step 1: Correct the bite and tooth alignment. If bite forces are contributing to the recession, Invisalign or another orthodontic treatment may be recommended to move the teeth into a healthier, more functional position.

🦷 Step 2: Treat the gum recession. Once the underlying bite problem has been addressed, gum grafting may be used to rebuild gum tissue, protect exposed tooth roots, and improve the health and appearance of the gums.

If gum grafting is performed without correcting the forces that contributed to the recession, the area may continue to experience excessive stress, and the recession can potentially return.

Invisalign is not only cosmetic. For some patients, orthodontic treatment can improve the way the teeth function together, reduce harmful bite forces, and help create a healthier foundation for periodontal treatment.

If you have receding gums, exposed tooth roots, sensitivity, notches near the gumline, teeth grinding, or an uneven bite, it is important to determine why the recession is happening before deciding on treatment.

At W Plus Dental in Washington, DC, Dr. John Ku evaluates the teeth, gums, bone, bite, and tooth alignment to develop a comprehensive treatment plan based on the underlying cause of your gum recession.

Looking for gum recession treatment in Washington, DC? Schedule a consultation with W Plus Dental to learn whether your gum recession may be related to your bite and whether treatments such as Invisalign, orthodontics, gum grafting, or periodontal care may be appropriate for you.