What Causes Gums To Recede?

23 November 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Your gums are the pink tissue found inside your mouth, and they are there to hold your teeth securely in place. When the gums begin to wear away and shrink, dentists refer to it as receding gums. Receding gums can lead to problems if left untreated, and here are some of the top reasons people experience receding gums.

Age

Over time, your gums may naturally begin to wear out and shrink. There is not a lot you can do about age-related gum recession except for taking good care of your teeth and mouth over your lifetime. This will require good brushing and flossing habits, and you should make sure that you address dental problems early on when they initially begin.

Poor hygiene and habits

While gums may naturally wear away over time, they will also begin to recede if you do not provide proper care for your mouth. In addition, if you smoke or use any other type of tobacco, it can also lead to the recession of your gums. Brushing your teeth too hard is another bad habit that can damage your gums, and you can avoid this by choosing a soft-bristled toothbrush. The best thing you can do is take care of your teeth and avoid all types of tobacco products.

Health problems

There are a variety of different health conditions that can cause your gums to recede faster than usual, and this is more likely to happen if you have a health problem that causes inflammation. When the gums become inflamed, they are more prone to infections and other problems.

Diabetes is an example of a health problem that can lead to gum problems. With diabetes, uncontrolled blood-glucose levels lead to inflammation of the gums, and this can in turn lead to receding gums. To protect your gums with this disease, you must control your blood-glucose levels.

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is a condition that is caused by bacteria on your gums, and this bacteria is found in plaque. If plaque is left on your teeth, it can damage your gums, and it can even cause you to lose bone mass in your jawbone.  When your jawbone is not dense enough to support your teeth, your gums may begin to pull back and your teeth may fall out.

If your dentist tells you that your gums are receding, find out what he or she can do to stop this from worsening. To learn more about receding gums and the treatment options available, contact a clinic like Mammoth Spring Dental Clinic LLC.