You may have a gum disease called periodontitis. It is a serious condition in which your gums become swallow. The easiest method to avoid gum recession is to take excellent care of your teeth. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, and visit your dentist or periodontist two times a year or as your need.
Receding Gums
Gum recession is the term for when the outer gum tissue around the teeth wears away, or pullback, revealing more of the tooth’s root. Bacteria can accumulate in “pockets,” or gaps, that form between the teeth and gum line as a result of gum recession.
Gum recession usually happens over time when the root of the tooth gets exposed to too much brushing, flossing, smoking (Tobacco), drinking (coffee, tea), eating (crusty bread like baguettes), and other oral irritants. While it’s not entirely known why some people are more prone than others to gum recession, family history plays a role in whether someone will be at risk.
People at risk for receding gums can take care of their teeth and help prevent gum recession by brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, flossing once per day, eating less sugar and carbohydrates (which feed bacteria in the mouth), and seeing their dentist regularly. Check My Blog About Stimulate Gum Regrowth
Why Do Gums Recede?
Gum recession is the term for when the gum line recedes from the tooth. The gum can become exposed, causing a higher risk for periodontal disease and oral health problems.
Reasons:
There are many reasons why gums recede.
Heredity – Some people have gum recession because it runs in the family.
Other Diseases – Poor blood flow in the body, such as diabetes or hormonal changes, can increase the risk of gum disease and make your gums pull away from the teeth.
Medications – Certain medications may cause dry mouth or affect how well your body fights infection. If you take medication, follow directions, and stay up-to-date on recommended dental cleanings.
Bruxism – Excessive grinding or clenching of the teeth may wear down some of the teeth’ protective enamel, making your gums more likely to recede.
Bacteria – Periodontal disease is the major cause of gum recession.
Other factors contributing are:
- Injury to the lips or tongue.
- Plaque buildup near the tooth’s surface.
- Dry mouth.
Toothbrush – Your toothbrush can’t reach underneath your gum line when it doesn’t fit in between your teeth properly. If you have crooked teeth or large fillings, it may be harder to clean behind them where they meet your gums.
Food – Some foods are hard on teeth because of their acidity. It will put you at a huge risk of having gum recession.
Infection – A bacterial or fungal infection in the mouth can also cause the gums to pull away from teeth. Infections like these are difficult to treat because they require antibiotics or antifungal medications, which may have side effects. They could also make you less likely to fight off other infections.
You may have been born with a low or narrow set of teeth, and your gums may be more likely to recede as you grow older. Gum recession doesn’t happen because you brush and floss less frequently, but it does show that you don’t take enough care of your mouth.
How Is Gum Recession Treated?
Treat gums in two ways.
The first way is to use dental fillings to cover the exposed root surfaces. This will help prevent food particles from getting in and causing infection, but it won’t necessarily stop your gums from receding further.
The second way is to use a soft plastic material called a graft. The grafted area will have to be left open so the oral surgeon can place and secure this material beneath your gum tissue. Then, you’ll have to return to our office for periodic follow-up examinations and possible retreatment.
Although both of these techniques may stop the receding process, they don’t always provide the results that people hope for because it’s impossible for any dentist or oral surgeon to replace missing bone. It’s almost impossible to even when plastic surgery procedures are used since there’s no guarantee that these procedures will yield new bone growth or improve your dental function over time.
Suppose it has been determined that surgery is truly necessary. In that case, another important thing to remember about these procedures is that they cannot be completed in one visit because the living tissue used for grafting must be allowed to heal before closing the area where surgery was performed.
Type of Surgery Used to Treat Gum Recession
The type of surgery that is used to treat gum recession is called grafting. During this surgery, a flap of skin and underlying tissue from another part of the mouth is transferred to the area around the tooth. Grafting may be done on both healthy and diseased gums and may be done as either a one-time procedure or in stages.
If the dentist declares that you are a good candidate for grafting, they will likely remove the unhealthy gum tissue and place the skin flap over the exposed area. After the surgery is completed, natural blood clotting occurs within just a few minutes, holding the flap in place as it heals.
Sometimes, one or more sutures or stitches may be used to help secure the skin flap for additional security. The stitches seem to have dissolve on their own, so they do not have to be removed by your dentist. Meanwhile, your healthy gums begin growing back over your teeth at an accelerated rate so they can provide maximum protection against receding gums once again.
The doctor will recommend that you eat soft foods for several days after the surgery to help your mouth heal.
How to prevent receding gum line?
To prevent gum recession, it is important to have proper brushing and flossing habits. While brushing, always make sure that you brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Start by putting your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gum line, and slowly move it away while pressing gently. Brush each tooth from every surface, including the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. When brushing your molars, which have 3 or 4 surfaces, clean one side of the tooth before moving on to the next side.
To help remove plaque from places where teeth touch together (called “pits and fissures”), use floss or an interdental cleaner such as a small piece of dental tape inserted into the space between the teeth. A dentist or periodontist can recommend a special mouthwash that contains a chemical called chlorhexidine that destroys bacteria in the mouth.
Using toothpaste containing fluoride helps strengthen your teeth and prevents them from becoming susceptible to decay. A fluoride rinse has been shown to protect the gums from further damage.
Way to prevent receding gums:
Many things cause gum recession, including tobacco use, oral piercings, genetics, gum disease or infection, dry mouth, too much brushing or biting down the inside of the cheek while eating.
Receding Gums may also be caused by certain medications, such as some antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs. Medical conditions that increase the risk of recession include:
- Diabetes.
- HIV infection.
- Lichen planus (a type of disorder that leads to lesions on mucous membranes).
- A rare disorder called familial benign chronic pemphigus
However, ways to prevent gum recession are following:
Quit Smoking:
Tobacco use is one of the most well-documented risk factors for gum recession. This may be because tobacco use can lead to poor oral hygiene, the number one risk factor for gum disease. Tobacco users are also more likely to grind their teeth at night, producing excess wear and tear on the gums.
If you are a smoker, quitting can reverse some of the damage caused by smoking. Talk to your dentist about programs and products that can help you quit for good.
If you are a smoker, quitting can reverse some of the damage caused by smoking. Talk to your dentist about programs and products that can help you quit for good.
Don’t use Tobacco in any form to prevent receding Gumline.
Quit smoking or reduce consumption of tobacco products. Smoking can affect gum tissue by altering blood flow through your gums, resulting in dryness and recession of tooth roots on those particular teeth. If you cannot quit, consider cutting back as much as possible to double-check on the health of your teeth, periodontal tissues, and gums each time that you visit the dentist’s office or periodontist’s office.
Proper Oral Care for a stronger tooth:
As a person, you need to brush your teeth regularly and maintain them by flossing as well. Visit your doctor or periodontist at least twice a year or as your need. In addition to this care, you can prevent gum recession by changing your diet and quitting smoking.Some other suggestions on how to prevent receding gumlines are given below:
Massage the gums and dental care:
When you brush your teeth, make sure that you cover all areas of your mouth. Do not just focus on the forward surfaces of your teeth. Gently massage the entire surface of the gums with a soft bristle brush for about five minutes twice daily. This will prevent plaque from building up in between your teeth, which can attack gum tissue, resulting in the recession of the gums.
Chew sugarless gum:
Chewing sugarless gum is another great way to protect against gum recession. Chewing mint-flavored sugar-free chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which keeps bacteria at bay for long periods. Chewing sugarless gum cleans your mouth by rubbing the gums and brushing them at the same time. The natural scrubbing action of the chewing motion stimulates circulation, which purifies the blood in your gum tissues resulting in improved health for your teeth and gums.
Use a straw when drinking:
Drinking out of a straw is another helpful tip to prevent receding Gumline. When you drink through a straw, it keeps liquid off your teeth altogether because gravity will have you drinking down toward your chin if using an open cup or glass. When liquid stays off of tooth surfaces, nothing can contribute to further recession issues on those teeth.
Drink more water:
Drink plenty of water daily. Water will stimulate the natural flow of saliva in your mouth, which inhibits bacteria from thriving there. This is another great step to take if you are looking for ways to prevent receding Gumline.
Be selective about what types of foods & drinks to consume :
Many people like to enjoy a cold drink on a hot day. However, these types of drinks can be very dangerous if you are trying to protect your teeth and gums from further recession. These drinks contribute to tooth decay, and they also dry out the mouth, which can lead to gum recession. You should increase saliva production by drinking lots of water instead of sugary or acidic types of drinks such as fruit juices and sodas, respectively.
Go easy on chewing ice:
Reduce how often you floss:
Some people cannot stand the taste or feel of flossing, whereas some do not floss at all. It is best that you only use dental floss as much as necessary for your daily oral care routine. Floss once each day before brushing your teeth at bedtime rather than multiple times throughout the day. The more you use dental floss, the more likely it is to wear away the healthy tissues in between your teeth which will contribute to recession concerns, among other issues related to gum disease.
Some people cannot stand the taste or feel of flossing, whereas some do not floss at all. It is best that you only use dental floss as much as necessary for your daily oral care routine. Floss once each day before brushing your teeth at bedtime rather than multiple times throughout the day. The more you use dental floss, the more likely it is to wear away the healthy tissues in between your teeth which will contribute to recession concerns, among other issues related to gum disease.
What about natural remedies?
From cleaning up your diet to drinking lots of water, there are many ways to treat gum recession at home. However, not all treatments work for everyone. Your dentist can make a specific recommendation depends on your unique needs. Consider physical or chemical therapies, including prescription medications or nutritional supplements—it may take some time to find the right one for you. Stop smoking and keep up with regular dental care for the best chances of success.
-Oil Pulling:
Oil pulling is a popular oral hygiene technique that involves swishing coconut or sesame oil (or other oils) around the mouth for 10-20 minutes. It helps with chronic inflammation of the gums and bad breath.
-Curcumin Supplementation:
A recent study found that an oral curcumin supplement effectively reduces gum inflammation in people with chronic periodontitis.
-Cranberry Supplementation:
Some doctors believe that cranberry supplements may help with gum disease. They do this by reducing biofilms, or the slimy layers of bacteria that can build up in your mouth and cause a range of infections.
Some doctors believe that cranberry supplements may help with gum disease. They do this by reducing biofilms, or the slimy layers of bacteria that can build up in your mouth and cause a range of infections.
-Strawberries:
Strawberries contain salicylic acid, which is also found in aspirin and other over-the-counter painkillers. Salicylic acid breaks down biofilm, so it is effective against gingivitis when combined with brushing teeth.
-Teabag:
Chewing on a wet tea bag or placing it on the gums for several minutes helps provide relief from mouth pain and swelling. The natural polyphenols in black and green teas can also stop bleeding and reduce bacteria growth. But remember, this is only for temporary relief, not a cure!
-Chamomile:
A 2001 study suggests that chamomile extract can reduce inflammation and bleeding in people with gum disease. This extract has also been shown to help relieve pain and swelling. It may be purchased as a tea or supplement.
-Cetylpyridinium Chloride:
A mouth rinse containing cetylpyridinium chloride [CPC] reduces bacteria and yeast [including Candida albicans] but has been shown to cause salivary gland inflammation in some cases.
-Zinc:
Zinc can help reduce bleeding, swelling, and bad breath associated with periodontal disease. It can destroy gum disease-causing bacteria while reducing biofilm production. Zinc lozenges are an over-the-counter treatment option, but consult your dentist before taking this.It is essential to keep your mouth healthy by brushing and flossing at least twice a day to prevent receding gum lines. If you have any indication of gum recession, see your dentist or periodontist as recommended for more treatment options that may be available.
