The recession of gums is one of the most common dental problems. When your gums begin to pull back and recede, it can expose your teeth and their roots. As a result, gaps are formed between the teeth along the gum line. Gums recession takes place when disease-causing bacteria build up in the regions of your mouth that are difficult to clean. This oral health issue can affect any person, even if he or she has a healthy mouth. According to a study, approximately 50% of people have some level of gum recession. It can be hard to combat if one has already developed a gum recession, but it is not entirely impossible. Hence it is always advisable to visit a reputable dental clinic like Allure Dental to keep your gum and overall oral health in check.
If left untreated or unchecked, the receding gums can severely damage the supporting tissue and bone structure that is surrounding your teeth which may sometimes even result in the loss of teeth. There are many causes of gum recession. For instance, you are susceptible to receding gums if you have had inflammation or infection in the gum line. It can also happen because of congenital causes like fragile and thin gums which is why even people with healthy oral health sometimes experience gum recession. In this article, we will talk about six tips for preventing receding gums.
Here are Some Tips to Prevent Gum Recession:
- Taking care of oral health: Taking care of your oral health with proper hygiene practices goes a long way toward the prevention of gum diseases and other similar issues. When you maintain proper oral health with the right practices like brushing after meals and flossing at least once a day, you will reduce the likelihood of developing serious oral health issues like tooth loss, periodontal diseases, gum recession, and tooth decay. Brushing and flossing can keep disease-causing bacteria and food particles from getting stuck into the gum line. Similarly, even mouthwash can help to kill these bacteria and prevent gum diseases.
- Don’t brush too hard: Of course, it is advisable to brush twice a day, but brushing too hard can damage your gums and teeth. Brushing hard can wear down the enamel on your teeth which can go on to cause gum recession. Hence you should use a soft bristle toothbrush and floss daily along with using an antibacterial mouthwash to keep your mouth healthy by avoiding plaque buildup. Go for gentle and circular motions to clean each tooth gently and effectively. You can also speak to your dentist to decide on the toothbrush that will be best for you.
- Go for regular dental visits: Visiting your dentist regularly is a great way to prevent gum recession altogether as he or she will be able to tell if you are experiencing early signs of gum recession or other oral health diseases. They can also treat these conditions so that they are nipped in the bud or prevented from developing completely. Your dentist can also remove tartar buildup which is particularly responsible for gum recession.
- Stop smoking or using tobacco products: Smoking vaping or chewing tobacco in any product can put you at risk of gum recession and several other oral health issues. Apart from weakening your immune system, the use of tobacco products makes you more susceptible to gum diseases. It is seen that smokers have more levels of tartar and plaque buildup which can adversely affect the gums.
- Address the issue of bruxism: Grinding or clenching your teeth is known as bruxism, which can be a big issue for loose gums. Severe grinding and clenching put pressure on the teeth and gums which can cause them to recede. If you suffer from this issue speak to your dentist for possible solutions and discuss issues like sleep bruxism. There are many options to avoid nighttime grinding and clenching like a custom mouthguard which your dentist can suggest.
- Remove piercings: Tongue and lip piercings can severely damage gums and teeth. These jewelry products can wear your teeth and gums down by rubbing against them and ultimately cause gum recession.
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to oral health. People generally do not experience pain until the oral health issue has already progressed. Similarly, gum recession is also a very slow process which means that you might not notice anything till the sensitivity and pain kicks in. Hence it is always advisable to go for dental hygiene routine checkups and regular appointments to avoid problems like gum recession and periodontal issues. Moreover, your dentist is going to spot your gum recession issue long before you can. From brushing twice a day and flossing daily to keeping a tab of regular dental appointments, there are many ways in which serious dental issues like gum recession can be avoided. If you have gum recession or you are at risk of it, your nearest dentist can help to combat the issue before it turns worse.
