Top 10 Reasons for Gum Recession

Receding gums occurs when the gums surrounding the teeth are worn or pushed back, exposing the root of the teeth. Receding gums may lead to health concerns like infection, tooth loss, and tooth decay if the tooth root is exposed.

If the problem is detected early and treated, gum recession can be reversed or stopped. Multiple treatment options are available for severe cases with symptoms such as pain, infection, and tooth sensitivity. These options include tissue grafts, deep cleaning, and medicating infections.

This problem is common in many people. Hence, they do not even know they have this problem. Ultimately, gum recession is not a problem to be ignored. Here are the top 10 reasons for receding gums.

1) Poor oral hygiene

Poor oral habits such as not brushing for a complete two minutes, improper flossing, and not rinsing the mouth with mouthwash can convert the plaque buildup into tartar. Routine dental cleaning is the best way to remove those hard substances that form on and between the teeth. Leaving it untreated may result in gum recession.

2) Misaligned bites or crooked teeth

When there is no proper alignment in the teeth, the bite will be misaligned. It creates too much force on the gums, leading to gum recession.

3) Gum disease

Gum disease/periodontal disease is a major threat to gum recession as this bacterial infection can damage gum tissue and the teeth supporting bones.

4) Hormonal fluctuations

Changes in hormones like during pregnancy, puberty, or menopause can cause gums to become more sensitive and increase the risk of gum recession and gum disease.

5) Genetics

According to many kinds of research, 30% of people from a total world population are more prone to gum disease even though they take care of their teeth well. This is just due to the genetic factor.

6) Aggressive brushing

Brushing your teeth aggressively or using a toothbrush with hard bristles can damage or wear away your gums. This kind of gum recession occurs almost at the left gums of your mouth as many people brush their teeth using their right hand. This is because they put more pressure while brushing on the left gums.

7) Smoking

Smoking and using tobacco can stain your teeth as well as damage your gums and result in receding gums.

8) Age

Age is another main factor for gum recession. People over the age of 40 are more susceptible to gum diseases. When the gum is receded, the tooth appears long.

9) Diabetes

Do you know diabetes can cause the risk of gum recession? Yes, diabetes causes changes in blood vessels. These changes thicken the blood vessels and decrease the flow of nutrients and waste removal process from body tissues. This decreased flow of blood can impair the bones and gums.

10) Oral piercings

Oral piercings such as tongue piercing and lip piercing cause gum damage due to the constant stress of metals against gums and teeth during lip and tongue movements in eating, speaking, or swallowing, etc., This gum damage pushes the gums back and leads to gum recession.

Taking care of your dental health is the ideal way to prevent gum recession. However, if you have receding gums, contact us for suitable treatment.