Are your teeth getting longer? - Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Our teeth are made of two layers. One layer is the white shiny material called “enamel” and the other is a yellower softer material called “dentin”. The enamel, very much like glass, is pretty and difficult to bind to while the dentin is rough and joined with another layer of the tooth called “cementum” makes up the connection of the tooth to the bone. This connection is meant to be hidden under the gums. But there are several conditions that can lead to the exposure of the dentin which is called “recession” or “loss of attachment”:

If we have a gum disease the bacteria damage the bone and cause it to slide down the root and expose the dentin .
If we apply too much force to he brush with vigorous hygiene, the gums shrink away exposing the dentin.
As a result of trauma to the teeth.
Smoking leads to gum disease and receding gums.
Habits like scraping the teeth with a pencil or the finger nails.
Chewing Ice.

Regardless of the reason for the recession, as the gums shrink the teeth appear to look longer and gaps open up in between them. Once this process of shrinking gums was regarded as part of natural aging which gave rise to the idiom “long in the tooth”. We have come a long way in our research of gum disease and it’s prevention and Dr. Kaufman highly experienced in arresting the disease. Once the reason for the recession is treated, there are many options to help you restore or maintain a youthful smile.

Please contact us to examine and provide the right solution for you.