DDN BLOG: What Causes Gum Recession?
For many people who do not realize how important oral health truly is, becoming informed may change your life for the better. It is important to be aware of having a healthy mouth in order to have a healthy body. People who are health-conscious realize that they must follow a good diet and exercise routine on a regular basis. The same goes for maintaining good oral hygiene, as it can help us live a longer life.
Healthy gingival tissue forms a protective collar around a tooth. When gingival tissue recedes, exposing the tooth’s root, sensitivity may result. Receding gums is a clear sign of gum disease that many people might ignore.
What is Gum Recession?
Receding gums, also known as gingival recession, is a condition in which the roots of the teeth become exposed, due to the diseased tissue of the gum around a tooth begins to wear away or pull back from the crown of the tooth. If left untreated, gum recession can lead to a greater risk of decay and the eventual loss of teeth. Nearly 50 percent of all people will suffer from some sort of recession with their gums in their lives, which can be painful for your teeth, causing them to become sensitive.
Fortunately, with today’s constantly evolving technology, receding gum treatment has been less of a problem than in generations past, even for older adults. It is now easier to both prevent and treat gingival recession.
What causes gum recession?
- Irregular or abnormal tooth position
- Genetics
- Periodontal disease (gum disease)
- Overly aggressive tooth brushing
- Gum trauma
And don’t forget one of the biggest culprits causing gum recession – tobacco use. Smoking or using smokeless tobacco destroys healthy gum tissue, causing the gums to recede and exposing the teeth to the elements.
Maintaining Healthy Gums
Keeping your gums healthy is the best way to minimize recession. Brushing twice a day, flossing and keeping up with dental cleanings are usually all that is needed to keep gums from receding from the teeth.
For some people, however, it’s not that simple. Heredity can cause teeth to recede, despite even the best hygiene practices. You may grind your teeth or have a misalignment, making it easier for plaque and tartar to build up at the gum line, causing it to recede. Brushing too hard at the gum line can also cause gum recession to occur.
To learn more about gum recession and how to treat it, call Dedicated Dental at (702) 566-5509 to request an appointment.
