Receding gums: Symptoms, causes and treatments

You already know about the importance of keeping your teeth healthy – but did you know that it’s also important to look after your gums too?  That’s because your gums can recede if you don’t take care of them properly, and this can cause problems such as bad breath and sensitivity. In this post, we will look at the causes of gum recession as well as ways to treat this issue.

 

What are the signs of receding gums?

First, let’s look at the ways you can tell if you have gum recession. The signs include:

  • Sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks
  • Bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing and mouthwash
  • Gums that are swollen and dark red
  • Gums that bleed easily
  • Pain when eating
  • Teeth that appear to be loose

 

What causes receding gums?

Now that you know how to spot receding gums, let’s go over what causes them. The causes of gum recession include:

  • Poor oral hygiene. The most common cause of gum recession is poor oral hygiene. People who don’t clean their teeth properly have a lot of bacteria on their teeth and gums, and it’s these bacteria that destroy your gum tissue.
  • People who grind their teeth are at risk of receding gums. Unfortunately, many people aren’t even aware that the grind their teeth at night.
  • Brushing too hard. Brushing your teeth with too much force will eventually wear down your gums. You might think that you’re making your teeth extra clean by brushing so hard, but in reality, you are doing more harm than good.
  • Some people have genes that make them more likely to suffer from gum recession than others.

 

What should I do if I have receding gums?

If you have signs of receding gums, then it may not be too late to stop the problem. The first thing you should do is improve your oral hygiene routine: remember to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. This will not only help to prevent receding gums, but it will also prevent a whole host of other problems, including tooth decay and bad breath. You should also use a soft toothbrush to make sure that you aren’t brushing too hard.

However, if your gums have receded to a point where you can’t reverse the issue, then you may need surgery. One option is regeneration therapy. This type of therapy restores gum tissue that has already been lost due to gum disease. A periodontist will thoroughly clean the affected part of your gums and will place a bone matrix or proteins to stimulates the regrowth of any lost bone or tissue. Another surgical option is gum grafting, where are periodontist will take healthy tissue from one area of your gums to repair the problem in the affected area.

Another thing we can’t stress enough is that you should see your dentist regularly for routine check-ups. This will allow your dentist to spot gum recession early, before it becomes a serious problem. So call us today to make a routine appointment with one of our dentists.



×

Click the button below to chat on WhatsApp or send us an email to info@bensondental.co.uk.

We will get back to you during working hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 9am-5.30pm (closed for lunch 1pm-2pm) & Tuesdays, Thursdays 9am-1pm.

× Contact us