Gap between gum and bottom of tooth? Bad?

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Terry - 08 Jul 2005 22:42 GMT

I can poke my fingernail under my bottom front teeth. Maybe it's not a
"gap", I can't see a gap, but... I can slide my fingernail down the tooth
and then when it gets to my gums the fingernail goes in and under the bottom
of the tooth.

Is this bad?

What is this called? Receding gums?

How is it fixed?

What causes it? I have tarter back behind my bottom front teeth. Are the
gums recoiling from the tarter?

How can I prevent it from happening to more teeth?

The rest of my teeth and mouth seems good. Despite how the above sounds, my
dentist *always* comments on my healthy gums and good looking teeth. I'm 35
years old and only have one filling so far. I brush and floss every night.
But, I haven't been in for a checkup in a couple years.

Thanks

Terry

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Jacob - 09 Jul 2005 02:34 GMT

Most likely, you are feeling the CEJ -- the cemental enamel junction. This
is where the enamel, which is above the gum line, meets the cementum, which
is below the gum line and covers the root. Where they meet, the enamel is
usually slightly more bulbous, thus your fingernail can "catch" on it if you
do what you did. Nothing to worry about; this is normal. However, if you
constantly do this, it could be possible that you could irritate the gum
tissue and cause it to receed.

> I can poke my fingernail under my bottom front teeth. Maybe it's not a
> "gap", I can't see a gap, but... I can slide my fingernail down the tooth
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> Terry

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DrSteve - 09 Jul 2005 17:27 GMT

Wrong (I am smiling and trying to be friendly with Jacob)

A normal tooth will have such a slight indentation at the CEJ, that you will
have a hard time detecting it with anything other than a very sharp explorer
and a well trained hand.

If you can feel it with a fingernail, it is an abfraction lesion. These are
caused by "bending" the tooth during sleep and causing micro-fractures in
the dentin, which are subsequently chipped out with vigorous toothbrushing.

This is an isometric bruxism condition (vigorous clenching and attempting to
move the jaw with teeth firmly clamped together).

> Most likely, you are feeling the CEJ -- the cemental enamel junction.
> This
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>>
>> Terry

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Steven Fawks - 10 Jul 2005 14:35 GMT

> If you can feel it with a fingernail, it is an abfraction lesion. These are
> caused by "bending" the tooth during sleep and causing micro-fractures in
> the dentin, which are subsequently chipped out with vigorous toothbrushing.
>
> This is an isometric bruxism condition (vigorous clenching and attempting to
> move the jaw with teeth firmly clamped together).

I agree, though I'd need a picture to be certain.

It isn't toothbrush abrasion very often.

Fawks

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michaelpeters - 11 Jul 2005 03:30 GMT

Even if its the cement-enamel joint, you shouldn't be able to feel it
because if your fingernail can get inside, most likley plaque can too,
and preety soon you could have a carious lesion.

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