What causes gums to receed? Is there a way to stop them from doing this?!
Question:
What causes gums to receed? Is there a way to stop them from doing this?
I know, I know...I should floss. When you're gums are already sensitive, it hurts!
Answers:
Gum recession is usually caused by brushing too hard, using a very hard brush, periodontal (bone disease) or tooth placement. I also see many of my patients that have had braces in the past tend to have recession because of having to brush around the brackets.
You should try using a sensitive tooth toothpaste (Crest, Sensodyne, etc) exclusively to reduce sensitivity (it may take up to a month) as one of the chemical components in the paste will plug up the nooks and crannies that become exposed and get sensitive when the gum receeds. Often whitening and tartar control toothpastes will irritate these spots as well. You should also have regular dental cleanings to prevent build up (tartar and plaque) from causing gingivitis (a gum infection) that leads to periodontal disease (a bone disease) that causes recession and ultimately tooth loss. Brush 2-3 times a day for 2 minutes with a soft toothbrush, floss and rinse if you like to. I promise the soft toothbrush will remove the plaque and if you don't get plaque it can't harden up and turn into tartar.
Good luck!
JAMRDH - a dental hygienist