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What is gum recession?
When you think of receding gums, you might picture someone’s teeth exposed or even miss due to gum disease. This is because the gum tissue has pulled back from their teeth- causing your teeth and gums to be exposed and vulnerable to damage and infection. Receding gums can cause more problems than just cosmetic: they can lead to difficulty chewing and swallowing food that could eventually compromise your overall health.
Gum recession can be a serious problem for your oral health. Not only is it bad for your teeth, but gum disease can also lead to worse issues such as tooth loss. This is because the gums are receding from the teeth. Gum recession creates pockets between your teeth and the gums. These pockets provide an ideal home for bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease, leading to tooth loss or pain.
Receding gums can not only cause your teeth to become sensitive but may also expose the delicate tooth roots. You could experience pain when eating hot or cold food and beverages, as well as increased tooth sensitivity. To repair this problem, you would need gum graft surgery.
Can receding gums be reversed?
A lot of people ask ”do gums grow back?” Receding gums are the result of gum recession, which occurs when the gum pulls away from a tooth, exposing its delicate roots. When this happens, there’s an increased risk for tooth and bone loss. Gum recession can lead to tooth and bone loss.
If you notice your gums pulling back from your teeth, or if they look longer than usual, it likely means you have receding gums, and it’s time to schedule a dental visit. The overall health of your teeth and mouth depend on regular dental visits. Learn more about the signs of gum disease and what steps to take to protect your smile!
If you are experiencing gum recession, it is important to be proactive. Gum recession can occur for many reasons, but the most serious of these is periodontal disease – or gum disease. While there is no cure for this condition, it can be managed with hard work if caught early.
When it comes to healthy teeth, you need to look at the health of your gums. Gum recession takes place when the gum line becomes inflamed and sunken. As this happens, more of your tooth become visible which leads to sensitivity in the area. Gradually, more gum tissue will wear away, exposing more of a tooth and causing sensitivity.
What are the causes of gum recession?
There are a lot of things that can cause your gums to recede. One of the most common culprits is using an aggressive toothbrush or toothbrush with hard bristles. These types of brushes will make it easier for plaque to build up around your teeth and gums, which can lead to irritation and receding over time.
Grinding your teeth is not only causing you to grind down your tooth enamel and wear away at the surrounding gum tissue, but it can also cause other problems like headaches and jaw pain. You might even experience a sore throat or earache if you’re grinding too hard. It’s important to know that clenching the jaws tightly shut for a prolonged period can lead to structural misalignment in the mouth which can put abnormal forces on the gums and bone in one area of the mouth. As a result, gum recession may occur.
Gum recession because of poor oral hygiene, where the gum tissues are gradually pushed out of position. It’s commonly associated with gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease that leads to swollen, tender, and bleeding gums. As the disease progresses, it can develop into a full-blown infection that destroys gum tissue, as well as bone.
Other causes of gum recession
One of the most common causes of gum recession is smoking. Smoking has been shown to increase your risk for gum recession by as much as 50%. Gum recession can also be caused by injury or trauma to the mouth, such as a sports injury. In addition, poorly fitting dentures and grinding your teeth at night may also contribute to your risk for gum recession.
How can you Stop or reverse receding gums naturally?
When it comes to gum recession, you can’t ignore it. Gum recession is a sign of the healthiest and the worst kind of gums: diseased and unhealthy gums on one hand, and healthy and beautiful gums on the other. It’s essential to know the best way to stop gum recession because if you choose to do nothing, your gum recession will worsen.
It’s important to stay on top of your dental health routine even as you try these home remedies for receding gums. Brush and floss twice a day to avoid gum recession or other dental plaque problems.
- Salt
If you have inflamed or receding gums, saltwater rinses are a natural way to treat the problem. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse your mouth for 30 seconds. You can then rinse with salt water two or three times daily.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in nuts, fish, and seeds. They are unsaturated fat that can improve gum-to-tooth attachment which is great for people with receding gums. Omega-3s also reduce gum inflammation and increase attachment between teeth and gums.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that can be used as a remedy for gum health. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it not only can improve your gum health. It helps with symptoms of periodontal disease. Aloe vera is known to improve collagen production, which strengthens and tightens the gums, strength your teeth from bacteria
- Turmeric Gel
Turmeric has been traditionally used as a spice in India for centuries. It’s also been studied as a medicine and is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent research from the University of Kolkata found that turmeric contains curcumin which may lead to protecting against plaque and gingivitis – two of the most common causes of receding gums.
Drinking green tea can have plenty of benefits, and one of them is that it has been shown to promote oral health. Drinking a cup of green tea will eliminate bacteria in the mouth and strengthen tooth enamel, which reduces the risk of tooth decay. Green tea also contains anti-inflammatory polyphenols, not just for your gum tissue but also for the rest of your body. These natural compounds found in black tea may be linked with less heart disease and cancer.
- Vitamin C
I’m sure you know that Vitamin C deficiency can lead to a lot of unpleasant health issues. In addition to gum disease, inflammation, and swelling, you might experience general aches and pains, anemia, and fatigue. A lack of Vitamin C in your diet is usually the cause of this and often occurs when people eat a lot of processed food or skip vegetables in their diets. To get more Vitamin C into your system, add more broccoli, lemons, oranges, peppers, and tomatoes to your regular diet. It is a natural cure for receding gums
- Brush and floss gently
Brushing and flossing regularly ensure clean, healthy teeth. Some people may need to get a professional cleaning every six months to get out any tartar buildup. While gum disease is the most common reason for tooth loss, it’s easy to prevent if you commit to brushing in the morning and after dinner, in addition to using dental floss. It’s important not to brush too hard so that you wear away your enamel or injure your gums, which can create receding gums or periodontal disease.
- Rinsing with herbal extracts & oils
Oil pulling for gum recession, also known as ‘Kavala,’ is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that’s been used for years in India and has only recently gained popularity in the Western world. The 5-minute process involves swishing oil around your mouth to pull out bacteria and toxins from deep between teeth and corners of the mouth. Once you’ve finished swishing, spit the oil into the sink and rinse with warm water and a toothbrush. Here are the oils you can use:
- Clove oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Peppermint oil
- Thyme oil
- Lemon oil
- Coconut oil
- Sunflower oil
- Sesame oil
- Basil oil
So, this is how to stop receding gums from getting worse naturally
”Should I brush teeth before or after breakfast?”
The bottom line
Gum recession is often caused by age and genetics, but it can be prevented with proper oral hygiene habits. Even if you brush well twice a day, the natural aging process will cause gum tissue to soften and recede. That’s why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly for an exam at least once every six months. We’ll assess the condition of your gums and make recommendations about treatments like dental implants or grafting surgery.