4 causes of receding gums and what you can do about it

Your gums play an important role in the function and health of your teeth. Not only do they help anchor the teeth in the jaw, the gums also protect the roots of the teeth from disease, but you can lose all of this and more if your gums recede or retract from the teeth. Why do the gums tend to retract? Find the causes of receding gums in the article below.

4 causes of receding gums

An exposed tooth is more susceptible to cavities and more sensitive to temperature and pressure. Here are 4 causes of receding gums and what you can do about it.

Gum disease

The most common cause of receding gums is a bacterial infection called periodontal (gum) disease that most often arises from plaque, a thin film of bacteria and food particles that accumulate on the teeth.

Gum disease in turn weakens the gums and causes them to recede. You can reduce your risk of getting a gum infection by brushing and flossing every day to remove the plaque that causes the disease.

Genetics

Gum tissue thickness is a genetic trait that you inherit from your parents. People born with thinner gums tend to be more susceptible to receding gums due to toothbrush abrasion, wear, or injury. If you have thinner tissues, you will need to be diligent about oral hygiene and dental visits, and pay close attention to the health of your gums.

Tooth eruption

The teeth normally emerge from the center of a bony casing that protects the root. If a tooth erupts or moves out of this housing, it can expose the root and cause little or no gum tissue around the tooth. Moving the tooth orthodontically into its correct position could help thicken the gum tissue and make it more resistant to recession.

Aggressive hygiene causes receding gums

While hard scrubbing can work with other cleaning activities, it is the wrong approach to cleaning teeth. Too much force applied during brushing can eventually result in gum damage leading to receding and wear of the teeth.

Let the gentle mechanical action of the toothbrush bristles and the abrasives in the toothpaste take care of removing plaque.

While we can often repair gum recession through gum disease treatment or graft surgery, it is much better to prevent it from happening. So be sure to practice daily brushing and flossing with proper technique to remove disease-causing plaque. And visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups to make sure your gums stay healthy.