What Causes Gum Recession? Causes and Solutions
What is gum recession? Should you be alarmed if it happens to you? And can receding gums be fixed?
Receding gums refers to gum tissue that has begun to pull away from the tooth structure, exposing more of the tooth and tooth root.
Left untreated, gum recession could make the tooth root or even bone tissue completely vulnerable—risking damage to the tooth nerve, losing the tooth, or a more severe infection.
What causes receding gums?
Many factors can contribute to receding gums, but these are the top contenders.
1) Periodontal disease – this infection of the gingivae spreads slowly and essentially “eats away” at your healthy gum and bone tissue.
2) Brushing your teeth too hard or too much can cause your gums to recede.
3) Inadequate oral hygiene contributes to bad bacteria and plaque buildup—which destroy your gums.
4) Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can make your gum tissues more vulnerable to recession. The use of birth control hormones may also have a similar effect.
5) Tobacco users usually have more plaque buildup that hurts gums. Smokeless tobacco can irritate your gums, causing gum (periodontal) disease. To enhance the flavor of smokeless tobacco, sugar is often added, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
6) Grinding your teeth or a misaligned bite can cause irregular wear patterns on your gums and teeth, resulting in gum recession in the affected areas.
7) Certain medications or medical conditions can also inflame your gums or cause them to be more susceptible to periodontal disease.
How can you tell if your gums are receding?
Healthy gums are a nice healthy pink colour and the gum line looks consistent around all your teeth. What should you do if you suspect your gums are pulling away? Only a qualified dental professional can properly diagnose and help you treat the condition. If your gums are receding, you will likely begin to notice:
Gums that are pulling away from the tooth
Teeth appear to be longer than others
Swollen gums
Pockets or gaps between teeth
Reddish or bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
Pain and discomfort
Teeth that are becoming loose
How can you fix receding gums?
Since gum tissue does not grow back, you need speak with Drs. Robinson or Barr about personalized ways you can prevent gingival recession and stop your gums from receding further. If you have gum disease, your gums and bone structure may put up a good fight against this progressive issue, but they cannot win the battle without help from a qualified oral health expert!
Depending on the amount of damage caused by gum disease, you may be able to get a deep cleaning and antibiotics to help clear out the infection and harmful bacteria. For more advanced cases, surgery or tissue grafting will be needed to regenerate the damaged gum and bone structures.
Remember that gum disease is not the only cause of receding gums. Preventive measures such as aligning your bite, using a custom night guard, quitting smoking, and treating cavities early on will help prevent damage to your precious smile!
You can fight gum recession!
You can prevent gum disease by brushing and flossing at least twice a day, attending regular cleanings and checkups with us twice a year, and eating a well-balanced and healthy diet. We might say this a lot, but prevention is key. Simply knowing what causes receding gums won’t solve the problem. If you suspect your gums are receding, you should contact us immediately to find out the cause of receding gums and prevent further damage.
Healthy gums are the foundation for a healthy smile, so taking care of your gums is crucial to taking care of your pearly whites!