Why Are My Gums Receding?

You notice that your teeth look a little longer. Perhaps one tooth feels oddly sensitive when you drink something. When you look closer you see that the gum has moved upward. Why is gum recession happening?

Usually gum recession occurs because the gum tissue is irritated or damaged over time. Sometimes the cause is obvious. Sometimes it is something you have been doing for years without realizing.

What Causes Receding Gums?

Brushing hard is a big cause. Your teeth do not get cleaner when you use force. Aggressive brushing can wear down the gum edge. Expose part of the tooth root.

Gum disease is another reason. Plaque around the triggers inflammation. If that inflammation continues, the tissues and bone that support your teeth can gradually break down.

Your teeth can also play a part. A tooth that sits outside the line of the others may have thinner gum tissue around it making gum recession easier to notice.

A Less Obvious Reasons

Grinding your teeth puts extra pressure on the tissues that support them. So does a bite that puts force on certain teeth. If you have had a lip or tongue piercing rubbing against the gum for years that repeated friction is not good for the area.

• Hard brushing, with a firm toothbrush is rougher than you need. Your gums do not need to feel scrubbed.

• Gum disease often starts quietly so bleeding during brushing deserves attention than it usually gets.

• A thin gumline can make gum recession easier to develop even when your brushing technique is decent.

What Does Gum Recession Feel Like?

Sometimes nothing all. That is why gum recession is easy to ignore.

You might notice sensitivity when cold water hits one tooth. The exposed root surface does not have the protective enamel as the crown so sensations can feel sharper. You may also see a notch near the gumline or feel it with your tongue.

When Should You Get It Checked?

If your gums are visibly receding it is worth having a dentist look at them. Especially if gum recession is getting worse. You have started having sensitivity.

A dentist can check for gum disease. Measure the amount of gum recession. They can also look at your bite. The way you are brushing because treating the cause matters more than simply covering up the exposed area.

If gum disease is involved, leaving it alone is not a good strategy. Early treatment is much easier than dealing with damage later.

Can Receding Gums Grow Back?

Gum tissue generally does not grow back on its own once it has physically receded.. That does not mean you are stuck watching it get worse.

Switching to a toothbrush and using gentle pressure can reduce further irritation. Your dentist may also recommend cleaning if plaque or tartar is contributing to the problem.

In noticeable cases gum grafting can cover exposed roots and rebuild the gumline. That is a dental procedure, not a home remedy.