When your gums start to recede, take it as a clear sign that there are deeper issues at play. Receding gums are never a good thing, especially when you aren’t up-to-date on your oral health needs. Let’s take a look at how to prevent gum recession.
Gum recession occurs when the gums surrounding the teeth start to pull back, exposing the roots and ends of the tooth that should remain under constant protection. The longer this goes on, the more susceptible your mouth becomes to a multitude of serious problems.
At the dental office of Dr. Justin Raanan, a top periodontist in Beverly Hills, we offer several treatments and prevention methods to stop your gums from receding. Read our below guide to determine what causes receding gums and the best way to avoid the lasting damage that can occur as a result.
What Causes Gums to Recede?
There are plenty of different causes of receding gums, and they should all give you good reason to schedule an appointment with your trusted dentist as quickly as possible. Some of the major causes of receding gums include:
Brushing your teeth too hard:
Scrubbing abrasively can lead to the enamel on your teeth wearing down, which leads to receding gums.
Periodontal disease:
This is an advanced stage of gum disease that can be very hard, if not impossible, to reverse. Symptoms include swollen, red, and bleeding gums – as well as signs of recession, of course.
Lack of proper dental hygiene:
If you don’t take care of your teeth and gums, they will start to show signs of decay. Please schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.
Genetics, hormones, and chronic smoking can also lead to gum recession. The biggest sign of gum recession, however, is with gum disease. There are many different stages of gum disease, and the more advanced the disease becomes, the harder it can be to treat it.
Symptoms of Receding Gums
How exactly can you tell if your gums are moving away from your teeth, though? How high is too high? It can be hard to understand what your gums are up to if you do not frequently check up on them. However, as the recession progresses, some of the resulting symptoms are more apparent.
The most prominent symptoms of receding gums include exposed roots, loosened teeth, and elongated teeth. If you look at your mouth in the mirror and you feel your teeth look longer than usual, it’s probably because your gums have receded to show more of the tooth than ever before.
Treat and Prevent Gum Recession
Now that you are aware of what can cause and contribute to this harmful condition, what can you do to prevent gum recession? How can you treat your gums so the recession stops?
If you have a mild case of receding gums, your best option is to invest in a deep cleaning to have healthy gums in Beverly Hills. This will remove plaque and tartar and apply antibiotics to rejuvenate your gums.
If you are worried about the state of your gums and you are looking to prevent recession as much as possible, practice the following tips:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day if you do not already. Consider an electric toothbrush over a manual one.
- Floss every day and massage your gums gently with your fingers.
- Add a tongue scraper to your daily oral hygiene routine.
- Invest in a specialty gum-treatment toothpaste.
Make sure to schedule regular dental cleanings with your trusted dental expert at least twice per year. If you have any existing conditions or dental issues, you can create a treatment plan with your dentist to keep track of the health of your gums. This will also help you prevent your gums from receding in the future.
Get Your Gums and Teeth Cleaned ASAP
If you are starting to notice the signs of receding gums, you don’t have any time to waste. Get in touch with your dentist right away and schedule an exam so you can determine the cause and subsequent treatment of your receding gums. The more it is left untreated, the bigger chance it has of contributing to some very serious conditions. Don’t wait any longer; contact us online or give us a call at (310) 205-5315 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Raanan. Together we can help you prevent gum recession.