Causes Of Gingival Recession
Receding gums is much more common than many people think, but lots of cases are not noticed or treated until it is too late. Unfortunately at this stage, receding gum line treatment can include surgery and other complicated procedures to restore the stability of your teeth but it cannot fully reverse the damage.
Understanding the condition and its causes can help patients like you avoid gum recession. After all, when it advances, the roots of the teeth get exposed and worse, can loosen. Going frequently to the dentist will help check if you have the condition but you should always take the necessary steps to avoid it in the first place.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Gingival recession happens when gum tissue recedes and pulls back until it exposes the teeth’s roots. The causes of this condition are more related to lifestyle than genes.
Aggressive Tooth Brushing or Flossing
While having good oral habits is always good, some people do not realize that they might be taking it too far. Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush that is not soft can actually do more damage than good, specifically on your tooth enamel and gums. When you see some bleeding or you feel pain while brushing your teeth, then you might be doing it wrong. If you are in doubt, discuss your tooth brushing routine with your dentist to get some tips.
There are some instances when gum recession is actually hereditary or determined by genes, specifically if one or both of your parents have the condition as well. You might find yourself at higher risk for receding gums.
Abnormal Tooth Positioning
Having crooked teeth can actually put you at higher risk for gum recession, specifically if they are not aligned with each other.
Bruxism Or Tooth Grinding
A headache when you wake up is a sign that you might be grinding your teeth while sleeping. Your spouse or partner might also hear or notice it during the night. Unfortunately, bruxism can lead to lots of dental issues, including gum recession. The solution is to talk to your dentist about getting a mouth guard for the night.
An accident or an injury can cause trauma to your gum tissue and the result can be gum recession.
Poor Oral Health
The most common cause of gum recession is poor oral health. Food and bacteria in the mouth can form plaque and lead to the gums receding in time. In fact, the first stage of gum recession can still be reversed by improving oral habits.
The following causes explain why people have gum recession, but there are also other risk factors that may lead to this condition. For example, age is often a reason why people have gum disease. About 88% of people over 65 years of age have, in fact, receding gums.
Smoking and using tobacco products will also lead to receding gums, while those who have diabetes have a higher risk as well.
Treating Gum Recession
The best thing to do is to catch gum recession while it is in the early stages because you can still reverse the condition. This will also mean that you do not need professional treatment to restore your gums.
Visit your dentist if you notice symptoms of receding gums, and he will help you find the cause and help you address the condition. If necessary or if the disease is in the later stages, then a gum specialist and a periodontist will help stop the progression of the disease. You might need a special cleaning called scaling and root planing. In worse cases, surgery is necessary, specifically a gum graft.
The only person who can identify the stages and suggest the best course of treatment is your dentist. This is why you should make an appointment if you suspect that you have this condition. The earlier you go for treatment, the better and the higher chances you have of stopping it and keeping your mouth healthy. Leaving gum recession undetected and untreated can lead to teeth getting loose, as your gums play the important role of keeping them stable. Thus, gum recession is no disease that you should take lightly.