Receding gums
If you’ve noticed that your teeth seem a little longer or your gums seem to be pulling back from your teeth, you have receding gums.
This can have many causes. The most serious cause is periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Although there is no cure for periodontal disease, you can and should treat it. The health of your mouth and teeth depends on it.
In a healthy mouth, the gums are pink and the gum line is firm around all the teeth. If gingival recession develops, the gums often appear inflamed. The gum line also appears lower around some teeth than around others. Gum tissue wears away, leaving more of a tooth exposed.
Gum recession can happen slowly, so it’s important to take a good look at your gums and teeth every day. If you notice receding gums and you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, make an appointment soon.
In addition to less gum tissue around the teeth, receding gums often result in:
- bad breath
- swollen and red gums
- a bad taste in your mouth
- loose teeth
You may notice that your bite is different. You may also notice some pain or that your gums are particularly sensitive. One of the main problems with receding gums is that they become more susceptible to bacterial growth. This is why regular dental checkups and good daily oral care are essential.
Gum recession has many causes. The most serious is periodontal disease. Other causes include:
- old times
- poor oral hygiene
- medical conditions, such as diabetes;
Is your toothbrush causing your gums to recede?
Brushing your teeth too hard can also cause your gums to recede. Here are some tips for brushing your teeth:
- Use a soft toothbrush instead of one with stiff bristles.
- Be gentle as you brush. Let the hair do the work, not your arm muscles.
- Brush at least twice a day and for at least two minutes at a time.
Other causes of gum recession
Additional causes of receding gums include the following:
- Sports injury or other trauma to the mouth. For example, nails piercing the body of the lip or tongue may rub against the gum tissue, causing recession.
- Smoking. It’s not just cigarettes. You are at increased risk for gum recession if you chew tobacco or puff on a packet of tobacco.
- The teeth are not in proper alignment. Protruding tooth roots, misaligned teeth, or attachment muscles can cause gum tissue to slip out of place.
- Poorly fitting partial denture.
- Grinding of teeth during sleep. Grinding and clenching can put too much force on your teeth. This can cause gum recession.
A dentist or dental hygienist can usually spot receding gums right away. If you look closely at all of your teeth, you may also notice that the gums are pulling away from the root of one or more teeth.
Gum recession tends to happen gradually. You may not notice a difference in your gums overnight. If you see your dentist twice a year, they should be able to tell you if there has been a recession during that time.
Gum recession cannot be reversed. This means that the receding gum tissue will not grow back. However, you can prevent the problem from getting worse.
Treatment usually depends on the cause of the gum problems. If the cause is hard brushing or poor dental hygiene, talk to your dentist about changing your brushing and flossing habits. Daily plaque-fighting mouthwash can help build plaque between the teeth. A dental pick or other type of interdental cleaner can also help keep hard-to-reach areas clean.
Mild receding gums increase the risk of bacteria forming in the pockets around the affected area. Gingivitis can develop more quickly where other gum disease is present. However, mild gum recession does not necessarily put your mouth at increased risk of gingivitis.
You may need to have occasional deep cleaning treatments called “scaling and root planing” to treat receding gums. During scaling and root planing, your dentist will clean tartar and plaque from the surface of your teeth and the roots of your teeth. If you don’t already have a dentist, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find one in your area.
If gum recession is severe, a procedure called gum grafting can restore lost gum tissue. This procedure involves taking gum tissue from somewhere else in the mouth and transplanting or attaching it to an area where gum tissue has been lost around a tooth. Once the area has healed, it can protect the exposed root of the tooth and restore a more natural appearance.
Receding gums can affect your smile and increase your risk for gum disease and loose teeth. To slow or stop the progression of gum recession, you need to take charge of your oral health. See your dentist twice a year if possible. Follow your dentist’s instructions on proper oral hygiene.
If your gum recession is severe, you may want to consult a periodontist. He is a specialist in gum disease. A periodontist can tell you about options such as gum grafting and other treatments.
A healthy lifestyle will also help prevent receding gums. This means eating a balanced diet and quitting smoking and smokeless tobacco.
Try to visit your dentist twice a year, even if you take good care of your teeth and gums. The sooner you or your dentist spot problems that develop, the more likely you’ll be able to prevent them from getting worse.
