Receding Gums: Why It Happens, And How You Can Avoid It

What is gum recession?

Gum recession is when the gum tissue around the tooth starts to reduce in size. It wears away or drops down, exposing more of the tooth and sometimes even the root. As more of each tooth is visible, your teeth look longer than when healthy gums surround them. The teeth and nerves are also less well-protected.

What causes the gums to recede?

To a degree, time! Most people will experience a certain amount of gum recession as they get older. When we’re young, the gums surrounding our teeth sit high and nicely protect our teeth, but as time passes the tissue can become thinner, which will make the gum recede. This recession exposes more of the tooth, which often causes discomfort such as sensitivity to hot or cold. It also poses a higher risk of cavities, and affects the aesthetics of the smile as the teeth will appear to be longer. We know this sounds scary - but don’t worry, it‘s something that we can manage and help you prevent.

One additional – and much more avoidable! – cause of gum recession is gum disease. Periodontitis (more commonly known as gum disease) is caused by the bacteria between the gum and tooth. Over time, these bacteria cause the bone to shrink, and this takes the gum with it, resulting in less bone and gum to support the tooth. It acts silently, without any obvious symptoms, so you need to be proactive. An early sign of gum disease, which often doesn't get to much attention, is bleeding while brushing or flossing. The blood is a sign of inflammation; the gums are saying they are irritated and need a thorough cleaning. Many people do the exact opposite when they see blood while brushing: they either stop brushing altogether, or don't brush as effectively because they're afraid of causing more bleeding! This is totally understandable if you don't know why the gums are bleeding in the first place, so book in with your dentist or dental therapist for a professional opinion.

Lastly, another cause of receding gums is overbrushing – yep, it can happen! Taking inspiration from the energetic morning routines we see in the movies can result in a more aggressive technique than our gums can handle. Harsh back-and-forth motion accelerates the wear on your gums. This makes them thinner and eventually will expose the roots of the teeth, causing further issues even if the teeth themselves are healthy.

What should I do if I have receding gums?

Once worn away, receding gum cannot regenerate on its own. However, there are a few treatments available, such as gum grafting. In cases of severe gum recession where the tooth root is exposed, a gum graft can be a great solution to restore the tissue and protect the teeth. During a gum graft procedure, a small amount of gum tissue is taken from another area of the mouth and carefully stitched around the exposed tooth root. A few weeks later, the grafted gum tissue integrates with the existing gum, covering the exposed root.

This surgery is quite minor and typically does not even need a recovery time, as the mouth heals fairly quickly. When performed by an experienced surgeon (like our own Dr. Sehmi), a gum graft will be completely unnoticeable once healed. This treatment restores both the function and aesthetics of the gums.

How can I prevent gum recession from happening?

Of course, prevention is better than cure and there are a few things you could do to prevent gum recession. Booking in with the hygienist, ideally twice a year, will hugely benefit your oral health. As well as giving you a deep clean to help keep your teeth and gums healthy, the hygienist is the best person to guide you on the best oral hygiene routine for home. They will demonstrate effective brushing techniques and teach you how to apply the right amount of pressure. This will ensure thorough cleaning, without the overbrushing we mentioned earlier! By finding this balance, you can prevent gum recession, maintain a healthy smile and steer clear of gum disease.

So, when you’re brushing your teeth tonight keep an eye out for any tell-tale signs of gum recession. You might not be suffering any major symptoms now, but receding gums can lead to bigger issues if not addressed in time. You could also be contributing to the problem without even realising! This is yet another reason why it's essential to see a hygienist or dental therapist regularly. Hit the Book Now button at the top of the page to check out our availability!