Why Are My Gums Receding ? Early Symptoms, Causes, Precaution, and More

People usually aim to have healthy white teeth as it helps enhance their smiles. But having strong gums to support that smile is equally important. Receding gums can impact your teeth, leading to acute problems.

Your gums surround and hold your teeth into place that helps you have a pretty smile. They also help in protecting your teeth from bacterial infection and other problems. Receding gums can pull that gum coverage from your teeth resulting in more teeth to expose.

Fortunately, there are ways you can reverse and slow down the process of gum receding. So, here are some gum receding causing problems and the way you can treat it.
 
What usually leads to receding gums?

Several reasons can lead to receding gums. Some of them are unavoidable but you can care for them to avoid further damage.

1- Aging: Aging is an inevitable process that leads to receding gums. But, this does not mean you cannot maintain your teeth to help your gum strength last for a long time. You can do it simply by gently brushing your gums whenever you brush your teeth. It is important to push the brush away from the gums.

This means you’ll have to move your brush in downwards when brushing the upper jaw and move the brush upwards when brushing the lower jaw. Another important routine to follow is flossing and rinsing regularly. Maintaining oral hygiene is very important for not just your teeth but your gums as well.

2- Periodontal Diseases: Mouth infections are another major reasons that lead to receding gum. The most common disease is gingivitis. This is a trivial mouth infection that causes gums to turn into dark pink color. It is caused by infectious bacteria that target gum tissues and the bone supporting your teeth.
 
A regular visit to your dentist can help prevent this problem as your dentist will be able to identify any early signs of periodontal diseases. Some of the common symptoms related to the disease include redness in gums, swelling, bad breath, and bleeding gums.

3- Incorrect method of brushing: Poor brushing habits can lead to devastating effects on your gum health. Using a brush that has hard bristles or brushing your teeth very hard can cause your gums to recede because of the pressure. Always choose the brush that suits you and is comfortable on your teeth. Use a brush with soft or medium bristles.

4- Poor Dental Habits: Gum receding is a process that can be aggravated due to poor hygiene and oral habits. Not brushing regularly, grinding your teeth, biting down hard while chewing, clenching your teeth too hard, etc. can cause receding gums. Other habits like chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes can also cause damage to your gums.

Consult your dentist and buy a mouth guard that can help you protect your teeth when you grind your teeth at night or clench them in a tense sports match.
Genes

If your family has a history of periodontal diseases or your close relative has recently been diagnosed with the same, there are high chances that you might develop receding gums. To avoid an early contraction of the disease, consult your dentist regarding the same.

Receding gums can be caused due to several factors. To avoid this problem at an early age, you need to maintain oral hygiene and brush properly with the right brush. You also need to limit the consumption of acidic drinks and maintain good oral hygiene. With proper care and timely visits to the dentist, you can slow down or reverse the process of receding gums.