Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue that protects the teeth fades away or pulls back, revealing more of the tooth, or the root of the tooth. Gum recession causes “pockets,” or gaps, between the teeth and the gum line, allowing disease-causing bacteria to thrive. Without treatment, the supporting tissue and bone components of the teeth might be severely compromised, leading to tooth loss.
Gum recession is one of the most frequent dental issues. The majority of people are unaware that they have gum recession since it happens gradually. The first indicator of gum recession is usually tooth discomfort, or a tooth that seems longer than usual. A notch is usually felt around the gum line.
You don’t want to overlook the gum recession. Make an appointment with your dentist if you believe your gums are receding. There are therapies that can restore the gums and keep them from deteriorating further.
What causes tooth recession?
Your gums are crucial to your dental health and function. The gums not only aid in the anchoring of teeth in the jaw, but they also protect the tooth roots from disease.
However, if your gums recede or shrink back from the teeth, you may lose that protective layer. An exposed tooth is more susceptible to decay and temperature and pressure sensitivity.
Gum disease is a condition that affects the teeth and gums The most prevalent cause of gum recession is periodontal (gum) disease, a bacterial infection caused by plaque, a thin film of germs and food particles that forms on teeth. Gum disease weakens the gums and causes them to recede as a result. Brushing and flossing daily to remove disease-causing plaque can lower your risk of a gum infection.
Genetics. Gum tissue thickness is a hereditary feature that you acquire from your parents. People with thinner gums are more likely to experience recession as a result of toothbrush abrasion, wear, or injury. If your tissues are thinner, you’ll need to be more conscientious about oral cleanliness and dental checkups, as well as pay special attention to your gum health.
The eruption of a tooth. Teeth usually emerge from the center of a bony housing that surrounds the root and protects it. If a tooth erupts or moves out of this housing, the root may be exposed, leaving little or no gum tissue around the tooth. Orthodontically repositioning a tooth to its normal position may help strengthen gum tissue and make it more resistant to recession.
Hygiene that is aggressive. While strong scrubbing may be effective for other cleaning tasks, it is not the best method for cleaning teeth. Too much power used during brushing can cause gum injury, which can lead to recession and tooth attrition. So, “Easy does it”: Leave plaque eradication to the gentle, mechanical action of toothbrush bristles and toothpaste abrasives.
While gum recession can sometimes be repaired with gum disease therapy or grafting surgery, it’s much better to avoid it in the first place. As a result, make sure you brush and floss regularly using the right method to remove disease-causing plaque. Also, see your dentist for cleanings and exams on a regular basis to ensure that your gums remain healthy.
When do your gums start receding?
Overall, receding gums appeared to grow with age, according to a survey of nearly 10,000 adults. According to the survey, around 38% of people between the ages of 30 and 39 have receding gums. People aged 50-59 had a higher rate of 71 percent, and people aged 80-89 had a higher rate of almost 90 percent.
Women had substantially lower rates of receding gums at first, but by the age of 40, the rates were nearly equal. We don’t know if this is due to differences in oral health care behaviors among teenagers or other variables.
Gum recession becomes more acute as you become older. Only around 10% of those with receding gums had more than 4 mm of recession between the ages of 30-39, but this rises to 24% by age 50-59, and 35% by age 70-7.
Are receding gums reversible?
The quick answer is no, receding gums do not regrow. Let’s start by figuring out what causes receding gums so you can take steps to slow it down. We can also consider treatments for receding gums, such as introducing a method that will also stop the recession. Finally, there are surgical methods for replacing the tissue that has been lost.
What Causes Receding Gums?
Gum disease affects about half of all persons in the United States over the age of 30. Plaque damage is the principal reason. When you don’t wash your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time and don’t practice appropriate oral hygiene habits, this transparent sticky substance accumulates on your teeth. Plaque’s carbohydrates and acids destroy the enamel of the teeth, causing decay and cavities. When plaque travels down the tooth and comes into contact with the gums, bacteria affects the soft tissue instantly. Gums swell and pull away from the teeth, resulting in pockets surrounding each tooth.
Another cause of gum recession is when you do the exact opposite of neglecting your teeth. You’re brushing too hard now, and your gums are practically wearing away. The aging process is a third cause that is extremely common. Gum recession can also be caused by hereditary factors or medical conditions such as diabetes.
Several Treatments to Improve Gum Recession
Deep cleaning is the most common therapy for removing the harmful plaque. The plaque is manually scraped from the tooth below the gumline with a handheld scaler during this scaling and root planing procedure. The soft tissue will respond favorably within days after the infection source is removed. The swelling will go down, the pockets will close, and the skin will revert to its normal color.
You will be given suggestions on how to brush less aggressively if you are brushing too aggressively. A bonding chemical can be be used by the dentist to cover the sensitive roots. To protect the exposed root, this tooth-colored composite can be moulded and sculpted around it.
Options Involving Surgery to Replace Lost Gum Tissue
Because the soft tissue will not regrow, you and your dentist may consider having some gum tissue grafted from another part of your mouth. This procedure can help to safeguard the tooth, improve its appearance, and prevent bone loss in the future. Flap surgery is a second surgical option. To remove plaque that they couldn’t reach, a tiny incision is created in the gum tissue. The tissue is regenerated after the bacterium has been removed.
The Benefits of Healthy Gums
Gum disease is painless, which is why it is often overlooked. Terrible breath, swollen and red gums, a bad taste in your mouth, and bleeding when you brush are all frequent symptoms. Maintaining the health of your gums aids in the treatment of the rest of your mouth. Healthy teeth, gums, and soft tissue are all part of a healthy grin. A person’s grin is an underappreciated personal asset. Take care of your smile and appreciate what it can do for you in terms of enhancing your personality.
Why do gums recede as we become older?
Dry mouth is more common in older people. This might happen as a result of age, medication use, or certain medical problems.
Saliva is essential for good oral health. It helps keep your gums healthy and protects your teeth from decay. When your salivary glands don’t create enough saliva, you’re more likely to develop:
As you get older, your mouth may generate less saliva. Medical disorders that affect older persons, on the other hand, are more common causes of dry mouth:
- Many medications, including those for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, and depression, can cause you to produce less saliva. In elderly adults, this is most likely the most common cause of dry mouth.
- Diabetes, stroke, and Sjgren syndrome can all have an impact on your ability to produce saliva.
Gum recession is frequent in older people. This occurs when the gum tissue comes away from the tooth, revealing the tooth’s base, or root. Bacteria can easily build up and create inflammation and deterioration as a result of this.
Gum recession can be caused by a lifetime of brushing too aggressively. The most prevalent cause of receding gums is gum disease (periodontal disease).
Gingivitis is a form of gum disease that appears early on. When plaque and tartar build up on the teeth, they irritate and inflame the gums. Periodontitis is a term for severe gum disease. It can result in tooth loss.
Periodontal disease can be caused by a variety of illnesses and diseases that are frequent in elderly people.
When bacteria in the mouth (plaque) convert sugars and starches from meals into acid, cavities form. This acid eats away at tooth enamel, causing cavities.
Cavities are increasingly common in older persons, owing to the fact that more people are retaining their teeth for the rest of their lives. Cavities near the root of the tooth are more prone to occur in elderly persons due to receding gums.
Dry mouth also makes it easier for bacteria to accumulate in the mouth, which can contribute to tooth decay.
Oral cancer is more common in adults over the age of 45, and men are twice as likely as women to develop it.
Oral cancer is most commonly caused by smoking and other forms of tobacco usage. Oral cancer is considerably increased by excessive alcohol use along with tobacco usage.
- Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) (same virus that causes genital warts and several other cancers)
Is it possible to reverse gum recession?
Have you ever wondered why your teeth become more sensitive when you drink anything cold or even when you touch them? It’s possible that you have receding gums. Gum recession, if left untreated, can lead to increased sensitivity, tooth decay, and tooth loss. To make matters worse, gum recession cannot be reversed once it has started. Your dentist, on the other hand, in
How can I naturally reverse gum recession?
Gum recession and other dental health issues can be avoided by brushing and flossing twice a day.
- Oil Pulling is a technique for removing oil from the body. Oil pulling is an excellent approach to decrease plaque and avoid gingivitis naturally.
Is it natural for gums to recede?
Gum recession is sometimes misunderstood as a natural aspect of the aging process. Our gum line recedes and exposes more of our teeth as we age, giving rise to the phrase “long in the tooth.”
Gum recession, on the other hand, is anything from normal. Fortunately, for the majority of us, it is preventable.
Though there are a variety of factors that lead to gumline erosion, the vast majority can be avoided.
Is salt water good for your gums?
You can use a salt water rinse every day at home to help battle gum disease. In a small glass of warm water, dissolve a teaspoon of salt water. Do not swallow the water; instead, gently rinse it around your mouth for 15 to 30 seconds. After you’ve finished, spit out the water and repeat the process at least three times per day. Rinse a few times a day at the most. Salt might harm your teeth’s enamel if you rinse them too much.