
Periodontal (gum) disease can cause a number of devastating effects that could eventually lead to tooth loss. However, you may be more prone to a particular effect depending on the individual characteristics of your gums.
There are two basic types of gum tissues or “periodontal biotypes” that we inherit from our parents: thick or thin. These can often be identified by sight — thinner gum tissues present a more pronounced arch around the teeth and appear more scalloped; thicker tissues present a flatter arch appearance. While there are size variations within each biotype, one or the other tends to predominate within certain populations: those of European or African descent typically possess the thick biotype, while Asians tend to possess the thin biotype.
In relation to gum disease, those with thin gum tissues are more prone to gum recession. The diseased tissues pull up and away (recede) from a tooth, eventually exposing the tooth’s root surface. Receding gums thus cause higher sensitivity to temperature changes or pressure, and can accelerate tooth decay. It’s also unattractive as the normal pink triangles of gum tissue between teeth (papillae) may be lost, leaving only a dark spot between the teeth or making the more yellow-colored root surface visible.
While thicker gum tissues are more resilient to gum recession, they’re more prone to the development of periodontal pockets. In this case, the slight gap between teeth and gums grows longer as the infected tissues pull away from the teeth as the underlying bone tissue is lost. The resulting void becomes deeper and more prone to infection and will ultimately result in further bone loss and decreased survivability for the tooth.
Either of these conditions will require extensive treatment beyond basic plaque control. Severe gum recession, for example, may require grafting techniques to cover exposed teeth and encourage new tissue growth. Periodontal pockets, in turn, must be accessed and cleaned of infection: the deeper the pocket the more invasive the treatment, including surgery.
Regardless of what type of gum tissue you have, it’s important for you to take steps to lower your risk of gum disease. First and foremost, practice effective daily hygiene with brushing and flossing to remove bacterial plaque, the main cause of gum disease. You should also visit us at least twice a year (or more, if you’ve developed gum disease) for those all important cleanings and checkups.
If you would like more information on hereditary factors for gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Genetics & Gum Tissue Types.”
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Dentist - Fort Worth
2551 River Park Plaza
Fort Worth, TX 76116
817-732-4419
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- 2019
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- Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- A New Veneer with Minimal or No Tooth Alteration
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Moderate Fluoride Use Packs the Biggest Punch for Decay Prevention
- 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
- 2018
- December (6)
- Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
- Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Watch What Carbs You Eat to Reduce Your Risk of Further Gum Disease
- Treating Gum Disease may Require Invasive Procedures
- November (6)
- TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
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- Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
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- Find Out Why You or Your Partner Snores - it may be Sleep Apnea
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- Good Oral Hygiene Isn't Just for Teeth
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- How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- Keep up Regular Dental Care While You're Pregnant
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- Keep an Eye Out for Problems if Your Children Grind Their Teeth
- Protect Your Teeth During Football Season
- Have Your Child's Chronic Mouth Breathing Checked to Avoid Bite Problems
- A New School Year, A New Beginning
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- Stop Gum Disease Before it Gets Started with Daily Oral Hygiene
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- Dental Porcelain is a Great Option for Creating a Natural Appearance
- 4 Big Benefits for Beginning Early Dental Visits for Your Child
- Weighing the Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening
- Can't Afford Dental Implants? Consider Partial Dentures
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- Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
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- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Answering Your Questions about Your Upcoming Teeth Whitening
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
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- Do you need Simple Tooth Removal or Surgery? It Depends on a few Factors
- 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
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- Saving a Diseased Primary Tooth Could Mean Better Oral Health Later in Life
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- Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Provide a Viable Alternative to Dental Amalgam
- Root Canal Awareness Week: A Time to Learn How Teeth Are Saved
- Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
- See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- April (5)
- Keep Your Smile Beautiful...in April and Beyond
- OTC Pain Relievers Usually Enough to Relieve Post-Procedure Mouth Discomfort
- Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
- Learn How To Protect Your Teeth During Stress Awareness Month
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- 2017
- November (5)
- Not Your Granddad's Dental Care: the New Approach to Tooth Decay Treatment
- Consider Saving a Tooth Before you Decide to Replace it
- Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
- Sometimes It's Good to Be a Quitter: Smoking and Oral Health
- Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
- July (5)
- The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Your Dentist may have the Solution for Your Sleep Apnea
- Porcelain Veneers: A Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- 3 Common Sources of Fluoride You Might Not Know About
- March (5)
- Factors Besides Oral Hygiene that Influence Your Risk for Tooth Decay
- That Painful, Irritating Feeling Could be Burning Mouth Syndrome
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking Around Age 3
- Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
- Local Anesthesia is a Key Part of Pain-Free Dental Work
- 2016
- October (5)
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- Stop Annoying Canker Sores with These Effective Treatments
- Reduce Sugar Consumption - for a Healthier Mouth and Body
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- Treating "Burning Mouth" Depends on What's Triggering it
- March (5)
- Implant-based Overdentures may be a Better Long-Term Fit Option
- The Type of Mouthrinse you use Could be Doing More Than Freshen Breath
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- Erosion and Other Problems may be Signs of Bulimia
- 2015
- November (5)
- Bitewing X-Rays Provide Early Detection of Tooth Decay in Back Teeth
- Crown Differences Could Ultimately Affect Your Cost
- Regenerating Lost Bone Can Make Dental Implants a Reality
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- Changing Antibiotic Use Today will Help Ensure Their Effectiveness Tomorrow
- 2014
- August (5)
- Occasional Tongue Redness may be Irritating but not a Serious Health Issue
- Bad Breath Might be a Sign of a More Serious Oral Condition
- Major Benefits for Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
- Minimizing X-Ray Exposure Risks in Children to Maximize Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions about Gummy Smiles
- 2013
- 2012
- August (8)
- Bleeding Gums Mean Something is Wrong
- Treating Snoring & Sleep Apnea
- What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
- How to Get What You Want in Your Smile Makeover
- Countdown To A Perfect Wedding Day Smile
- Teeth Whitening: What You Need To Know
- Matching Game: Which Smile Design Technique Is Right for You?
- Are You at High Risk for Tooth Decay?
- 2011
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