When it comes to your gums, you likely grasp their usual problems. Things like bleeding, aching, and swelling often happen to these tissues. Still, you may wonder what causes gums to recede. Your gumline moving away from your teeth can seem rather strange. Luckily, it’s not hard to learn the ins and outs of this issue. Your local Danville dentist will gladly explain the details. So, here’s a primer on the causes and solutions to gum recession.
What are Receding Gums?
When your gums encounter trouble, they can do more than bleed or change color. They could undergo a process called gum recession.
Put simply, gum recession refers to when the gums pull away from your teeth. This slow erosion exposes your dental roots and harms your oral health. Since it lets bacteria reach the exposed areas, it can indirectly cause tooth decay and sensitivity. You’d then risk losing your teeth instead of just your gums.
What Causes Them?
Ultimately, receding gums don’t have just one cause. A wide range of factors can bring them about. In particular, the most common of these elements are:
- Overbrushing – If you brush your gums too hard, they won’t react well. You’ll likely damage the tissues and make them recede.
- Tooth Grinding – In reality, grinding your teeth doesn’t just harm your enamel. The pressure and irritation from this habit can cause gum recession.
- Poor Oral Hygiene – Your gums will get inflamed if excessive plaque builds around them. From there, they’ll slowly start to recede.
- Tobacco Use – Tobacco products are known to cause gum disease, which then triggers gum recession.
How Do You Treat (or Prevent) Them?
Receded gum tissue can’t grow back; it’s gone for good. Even so, you can manage and prevent the recession. All you need to do is visit a dentist and practice good habits.
Qualified dentists have several ways to treat gum recession. The standard one is root scaling and planing, a procedure that removes plaque from the gumline. This effort would keep your gums from receding further. For more extreme cases, a dentist could perform a periodontal surgery.
After treatment, you can avoid further recession with good oral care. Regular teeth and gum cleaning will prevent the buildup of plaque in the first place. Given that fact, always try to brush twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse often with mouthwash. These actions will help your gums stay where they should.
Talk to your dental provider if you’re struggling with what causes gums to recede. They’ll learn the source of your problem and correct it quickly.
About the Practice
Danville Dental Associates is based in Danville, VA. Led by its excellent dental team, our practice gives each patient truly personal dental care. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, all tailored to your unique smile. Our office is also a certified provider of traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners. For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (434)-793-4116.