Receding gums are a form gum disease in which your gums pull back from the tooth surface, exposing the root surfaces of your teeth. This can be a serious condition as a consequence of poor oral hygiene, which may eventually lead to tooth loss.
How Far Can Gums Recede? Gums can recede to the extent at which the uppermost portion of the root becomes visible. Damage can also extend to the ligament and the bone, where it cannot be seen.
The gum that surrounds the teeth begins to pull away, which can cause the tooth's root to become exposed when left untreated. Without treatment, pockets will begin to form between the teeth and gum line, which provides the perfect opportunity for bacteria to become trapped in the pockets.
When gum recession occurs, "pockets," or gaps, form between the teeth and gum line, making it easy for disease-causing bacteria to build up. If left untreated, the supporting tissue and bone structures of the teeth can be severely damaged, and may ultimately result in tooth loss.
Periodontitis – In severe gum disease, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These may become infected and when they do this can damage the tissue and bone that holds teeth in place making them loose and wobbly. It can even lead to tooth loss.
Receding gums are an oral health concern when they get to the point where tooth roots are exposed. It leads to a higher risk of decay, infection, and loss. Therefore, if you suspect your gums are receding, or a dental professional has brought it up to you, it's time to seek treatment.
Flossing Regularly
Flossing removes plaques containing harmful bacteria from tough-to-reach places your toothbrush can't get to. These bacteria can cause receding gums and other dental problems. Flossing at least twice daily is the easiest way to keep gum recession at bay.
It may sound like an exaggeration, but bacterial gum disease like gingivitis leads to periodontitis. Periodontitis, on the other hand, can lead to life-threatening endocarditis. Aside from giving you bad breath, gum recession, sensitive teeth, and bad taste, it can turn your life around in a way you wouldn't like.
Sugary items promote the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, worsening gum recession or causing decay. Avoid donuts, candy, energy drinks, cake, and chocolate. Since gum recession exposes the tooth's roots and nerves, extreme temperatures from ice cubes or popsicles can cause your gums to be more sensitive.
What do Receding Gums Look Like? The way to identify receding gums is by looking at the gum tissue surrounding each individual tooth. If the height of the gum tissue varies or if you see that the gum tissue surrounding the teeth draws back and seems red or worn away, then you are looking at receding gums.
In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums can become swollen and red, and they may bleed. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out.
Periodontitis is an infection that causes your gums and bone to pull away from your teeth, possibly leading to tooth loss. It's usually the result of poor oral hygiene allowing bacteria to get below the gumline and solidify there.
Periodontitis – Advanced Stages of Gum Disease
In addition to symptoms of gingivitis, signs that you have periodontitis may include: Receding gums. Increasing spaces between teeth. Loose teeth.
Poor oral hygiene can cause receding gums in two ways. First, if you do not brush your teeth properly, some plaque remains, which can buildup up tartar. Tartar breeds disease-causing bacteria which affect the gums, causing them to recede towards the tooth root. The second is through aggressive hygiene.
Too much salt in the diet can dry out your mouth and create an unhealthy oral environment. Not only does dry mouth lead to bad breath and an increased risk of tooth decay, it can lead to unhealthy gums and, in extreme cases, chronic and advanced gum disease.
These toxic and destructive acids created when you consume sugary foods and drinks also form a friendly environment for an unwelcome guest: the hordes of tiny bacteria that lead to gum diseases such as gingivitis and in turn, receding gums and the need complex procedures to repair the damage.
Receding gums are a common condition. Even with good oral hygiene habits, aging and genetics can still cause gum loss. While your gum tissue can't grow back, there are many treatment options that can help stop or slow down the process.
So while permanent tooth loss can occur at any age as an adult, significant averages in partial and total tooth loss tend to occur in people aged 50 years old and above.
Gum disease—Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is the No. 1 cause of tooth loss in adults. It is a serious infection that affects the soft tissue and bone supporting your teeth. Without treatment, gum disease can destroy the supporting bone and cause tooth loss.
Gum recession is an all too common problem for millions of people that if left untreated could lead to tooth and bone loss. But the good news is not only can the process be stopped, much of the damage can also be repaired through periodontal plastic surgery.
Therapeutic mouthwash helps prevent gum recession and disease, reduces the rate of tartar buildup, reduces the amount of plaque on your teeth, and removes food particles trapped between teeth and elsewhere in the mouth. While mouthwash is very effective, do not use it as a replacement for brushing and flossing.
While your gums won't grow back on their own, surgical treatment can be used to replace the missing tissue, and restore both your appearance and your oral health. Gum grafting involves taking soft tissue from another part of the mouth and grafting it onto your gums.
Getting dentures won't make it go away. In fact some people are affected by periodontal disease after they receive dentures, even though they were not previously affected by it. If dental plaque builds up between the dentures and your gums, an infection can result, and if it's left untreated, gum disease will occur.