How Can I Prevent Receding Gums?
Putting too much pressure when brushing teeth can destroy gums in the process, the reason why it is important to know the proper brushing technique.
Receding gums or gum recession is a condition wherein the gums or soft tissues of the mouth that protects the teeth pulls away from the teeth.
Gum disease and poor oral hygiene can both cause receding gums. It is the gums that protect the roots of your teeth. This is where oral health care becomes important. It is hard to detect receding gums unless the person feels sensitivity. Not only that receding gums may cause dental problems, they as well make your teeth look elongated thus destroying your smile.
Gum disease, during its early stages is marked by swollen or red gums that easily bleeds. Gum disease is reversible when detected early and when appropriate treatments are given. Regular dental check-ups should be maintained as they can spot the signs of gum disease. When the disease is left without treatment, it will progress into periodontitis which is the advanced stage of gum disease. The disease can destroy the bone and soft tissues that support the teeth whenever it is left untreated and progressing. The teeth can become loose and eventually fall out or needs to be removed by a dentist. As a matter of fact, 70 percent of tooth loss in adults over 40 years of age is caused by periodontitis.
Poor oral health care allows bacteria to sit in between teeth which causes gum infection that leads to receding gums. When bacteria are left uncontrolled in your oral cavity, they release toxins which painlessly cause the bone to get eaten away from around the teeth.
So how do you prevent receding gums?
With good oral health care habits, regular dental check-ups and the use of natural mouthwashes one can prevent gum recession. Know the right brushing and flossing techniques so as to avoid receding gums.
According to American Dental Association, smoking and wearing oral jewelry can increase the risk of gum recession. As a result, individuals are advised to quit smoking and stop wearing oral jewelries.
But when gum disease becomes severe and irreversible, restoring gums to their previous health condition through improving home oral care may not be enough. There will be a significant loss of critical bone mass and structure that leads to tooth loss.
The use of toothbrushes with pressure and sensitive handles which shut off automatically whenever too much press is applied to the teeth is recommended by dental experts to be used in preventing receding gums. Desensitizing toothpaste can be used by people who are experiencing tooth sensitivity. To make exposed roots less sensitive, a bonded resin can be applied. Regular or frequent dental examinations are important for those who have minor to serious gum infection, particularly those who are found to have receding gums.
Prevention, early diagnosis and proper dental care treatments are all you need to avoid receding gums and tooth loss.