Gwanak-gu Sillim-dong Dental Clinic - Why Teeth Look Longer

Hello. I am Kang Dong-ho, the chief director of Yonsei Uline Dental Clinic, Gwanak-gu Sillim-dong branch, located right in front of Exit 7 of Sillim Station in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu.

Today, I’d like to talk about gum recession, something many people worry about quietly but don’t really know the exact cause of.

When you look in the mirror, there are times when you suddenly think,

“Do my teeth look longer?”

That is gum recession, meaning the gums are moving downward.

People often ask whether this is because they brush too hard.

Of course, improper brushing can have an effect, but in reality there is a bigger cause than that.

It is the naturally occurring thickness of the jawbone and gum tissue that support the teeth.

The shape and thickness of the bone supporting the teeth vary greatly from person to person.

Some people have thick bone and gums that wrap the teeth well, while others are naturally born with thin bone and thin gums.

In such cases, even without any major irritation, the gums can gradually recede over time.

Also, when teeth tilt outward, the gums covering them tend to be thinner, so recession is more likely to occur.

When orthodontic treatment is added to conditions that already make gum recession more likely, the gums may not be able to keep up with the movement of the teeth, which can make the recession progress faster.

That is why, for people with thin jawbone, it is important to carefully evaluate the gum condition before orthodontic treatment.

So, if the gums recede, does treatment always need to be done?

To begin with the conclusion, in most cases, observation alone is sufficient.

Just because the gums have receded does not necessarily mean the condition will progress into a disease.

If there is no significant inflammation or pain, many cases remain stable as they are.

Especially for older adults, if there is no inconvenience in daily life, there are many cases where surgical treatment is not performed.

However, if the teeth look too long aesthetically, or if the roots are exposed a lot and sensitivity is severe, gum grafting may be considered.

Gum grafting is a method in which healthy gum tissue is harvested from the palate and used to cover the receded area.

Once the graft settles firmly, it can help protect the exposed roots to some extent.

However, gum grafting is not a treatment that remains permanently perfect.

Over time, some of it may be reabsorbed or the recession may recur, so it is important to make the decision with a full understanding of both the expected benefits and the limitations.

In the end, the most important thing is not to force the already receded gums back up, but to manage them stably so they do not recede any further.

Proper brushing, habits that do not put excessive force on the gums, and regular dental checkups are the most realistic ways to protect gum health.

If you are worried that your gums may be receding, do not judge it on your own; I recommend that you first confirm the condition and degree of progression of your jawbone and gums through an accurate examination.

This has been Yonsei Uline Dental Clinic in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu.