Why Your Gums Are Receding: The Surprising Truth and Simple Solutions
Have you noticed your smile doesn’t seem as balanced as it used to be? If your teeth appear disproportionate, it could be due to gum recession. This condition involves gum tissue pulling back from tooth surfaces, and it’s more common than you might think. Here are some of the top causes of gum recession and what you can do about them.
Common Causes of Gum Recession
Many factors can contribute to receding gums. Often, patients face multiple problems at the same time. The best way to know for sure what’s behind your gum recession is to talk to your dentist and get their expert opinion.
Brushing too hard is one potential factor that can lead to gum recession. It’s important to brush thoroughly twice a day, but brushing harder isn’t better. Some people try to do it quickly by brushing harder, but they’re doing more harm than good. Not only can they damage gum tissue, but they can also wear down tooth enamel.
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a leading cause of gum recession. As gum disease progresses, it can cause tooth loss and other complications, so early action is vital. This condition weakens gum tissue, letting it pull away and form pockets where bacteria can thrive and worsen the disease.
Teeth grinding and clenching have a serious impact on your teeth, permanently wearing away enamel. However, this also puts a strain on the supporting tissues around teeth as well. You could be grinding and clenching during sleep without realizing it, and that can eventually lead to noticeable gum recession.
The gums tend to naturally recede with age, meaning older adults are likely to experience some level of gum recession. Genetics are also a factor; some people can simply have less gum tissue than others.
Why It Matters
Gum recession can have a serious impact on the appearance of your teeth. The receding gum tissue makes teeth appear longer, disrupting the balance of your smile. This change can impact your confidence and leave you less outgoing in social situations. However, the downsides of gum recession extend beyond looks alone.
As the gums recede, they expose more of the tooth surface near the roots. This area is usually protected by gum tissue and has thinner enamel than the rest of the tooth. Without gum tissue covering it, this part of the tooth can be highly sensitive. You may find yourself with increased sensitivity to hot, cold, sugary, or acidic food and drinks.
The exposed tooth surfaces are also more susceptible to tooth decay. This is both due to the thinner enamel and the difficulty in maintaining oral hygiene around gum pockets. The same bacteria responsible for gum disease also cause tooth decay, so the two often go hand-in-hand.
Gum tissue plays an essential role in supporting your teeth. Gum recession means less support, potentially allowing teeth to become loose. This instability can be especially pronounced when biting and chewing. Eventually, the loss of support puts you at risk of tooth loss.
Simple Solutions
While gum recession is a potentially serious issue, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent it or seek treatment if it has already taken hold. Brushing properly is one of the best things you can do for your gums. Use a soft-bristled brush and take your time with a gentle technique for a thorough clean that doesn’t cause any damage.
Acting quickly on gum disease is also essential to prevent gum recession. Gum disease starts as gingivitis. During this early stage, you might not notice symptoms other than bad breath. As it progresses, it can cause red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If you see these signs, bring them up with your dentist to stop gum disease from progressing.
If you catch it early, you can likely stop gum disease with simple changes to your oral hygiene routine, diet, and other habits. Keeping up with preventive dentistry visits will ensure that you get regular dental evaluations to spot early signs, along with teeth cleaning that removes plaque and tartar deposits that contribute to gum disease.
If gum recession is already happening, then deep cleaning is one potential treatment option. Your dentist will use special tools to clean below the gumline and remove bacteria deposits.
In more advanced cases, you may require gum grafts to restore the appearance and integrity of your gums. Your dentist can remove tissue from other parts of your mouth and transplant it to reverse gum recession in a specific area.
Periodontal Treatment: Dental in Austin, TX
If you’ve noticed receding gums or other signs of gum disease, don’t wait for them to get worse. Acting sooner rather than later can allow for easier treatment and better results. The team at Parmer Lane Family Dentistry in Austin, Texas, provides a wide range of gum disease treatment options. Schedule a consultation today to protect your smile.