Why Do You Have Receding Gums?

Receding gums are a widespread dental issue that can lead to sensitivity, discomfort, and even tooth loss if left untreated. You may notice that your teeth appear longer or that you have pockets between your gums and teeth where bacteria can collect. But why do your gums recede, and what can you do to prevent or stop it?

In this blog, we’ll discuss what to look for, why you’re experiencing this, and how to care for your gums to prevent future gum recession. 

What Do Receding Gums Look Like? 

The first step in identifying why you have receding gums is determining whether your gums are receding. There are a few characteristics that may indicate you’re dealing with gum recession, including: 

• Longer Teeth: If you’ve recently noticed that your teeth look longer than they once did, this may be a result of gum recession. 
• Visible Dips: If you notice visible dips where your gums are pulling away from your teeth, this indicates receding gums. 
• Gum Sensitivity: Your gums shouldn’t be sensitive throughout the day. If your gums are sensitive to touch and bleed when you brush and floss, this may indicate a problem, including gum recession. 
• Red, Irritated Gums: Healthy gums are firm and light pink to coral. When your gums turn red and are easily irritated, this is due to gum disease. 

Why Are Your Gums Receding? 

Now that you know what receding gums look like, here are a few of the most common reasons why someone may experience this: 

Tobacco Use

One of the most common reasons why dental patients experience gum recession is because of their tobacco use. The nicotine in tobacco products is incredibly damaging to your gum tissue. It narrows the blood vessels in your gums, starving the tissue of much-needed nutrients. Receding gums are especially prevalent in patients who use nicotine pouches. These pouches come in direct contact with your gum tissue, leading to sudden recession. 

Aggressive Brushing

Brushing your teeth twice daily is essential for removing plaque, bacteria, and food particles from your mouth. However, using improper brushing techniques can lead to receding gums. You shouldn’t apply too much pressure when brushing, as this can wear away at your enamel and irritate your gum tissue. Instead, rely on the weight of your hand and trust that weight is enough pressure to gently clean your teeth. 

Gum Disease

Gum disease is incredibly common among adults across the United States, with almost half of adults experiencing some stage of gum disease. As your gum disease progresses from gingivitis to periodontitis, you may notice your gums pulling back. Increased bacteria presence in your mouth leads to pocket formation along your gumline and receding gums, as the bacteria destroy healthy tissue. 

Teeth Grinding

While bruxism is incredibly harmful to your enamel, this isn’t the only thing that gets damaged in the process. You may also experience receding gums because of your grinding. The pressure on your teeth may also put stress on your gums, leading this tissue to recede if you don’t take action to address it. If you want to protect your gums from additional recession, it is best to speak to your dentist about custom mouthguards. 

Genetics

If you believe you’re doing everything right and are still dealing with receding gums, this might be a sign that your gum recession is due to genetics. It can be difficult to determine whether this is the case. If you want to be sure, speak to your family members about whether they’ve dealt with this in the past. Additionally, you might want to schedule a dental cleaning to determine if you may have undiagnosed gum disease. 

Misaligned Teeth

You may not have any problems with the appearance of minorly misaligned teeth. However, this misalignment can put stress on your gum tissue, leading to potential recession. If you are experiencing receding gums as a result of misalignment, you might want to speak to your dentist about whether you’re a good candidate for orthodontic devices like clear aligners. These devices can provide much-needed relief for this delicate tissue. 

How to Care for Your Gums

Once you’ve identified the cause of your receding gums, it is essential that you take active steps to maintain their health. There are a few great and easy ways to keep your gums in great health, including: 

• Brushing twice daily and flossing at least once a day to remove hard-to-reach bacteria, food particles, and plaque. 
• Use fluoride-rich oral hygiene products, including toothpaste and mouthwash, to strengthen your teeth and gum tissue. 
• Eat a smile-friendly, vitamin-rich diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks. 
• Stop using tobacco products, including cigarettes and nicotine pouches. It is important that you also give up vape devices. While they are tobacco-free, they contain nicotine, which is the major cause of gum problems. 
• Schedule regular checkups with a trusted dental team to ensure you are taking positive steps toward achieving better oral health. 

Protect Your Gums, Protect Your Smile

When you choose to work with an experienced, compassionate dental team, you are taking great steps toward achieving better gum health. If you’re looking for a dental team in the Mills River, NC, area to help you achieve your best oral health, turn to our team at Mills River Family Dental for support.

With years of experience helping patients achieve the smile of their dreams, we’re confident that we can do the same for you. From our cosmetic dental services to orthodontic devices, fluoride treatments, cleanings, and more, we’re confident that our services are the perfect solution for you. If you would like to learn more about the services we offer or have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to contact us today.