Your smile, no doubt, is one of your most memorable facial attributes. This is why most people strive to ensure it stays in tip-top condition. It’s not an easy task maintaining those pearly whites; you have to choose to do so deliberately.
Sometimes, however, despite your attempts, there are dental issues that may occur that can compromise your smile and oral health. One prime example of such dental issues is receding gums.
Gum recession occurs when gum tissue separates from teeth, causing the roots beneath to become visible. Receding gums increases tooth sensitivity and makes the affected teeth more vulnerable to cavities and tooth decay.
Gum recession leads to the formation of pockets between the affected teeth and the gum line. These pockets are an ideal location for bacteria accumulation. Over time if unchecked, gum recession can cause tooth loss.
If you notice or suspect this dental issue, you should first step to schedule a dental visit with our dentist in Calgary, SW. This is because there are procedures available that can be utilized to combat this dental issue and prevent it from becoming worse.
Receding gums is a prevalent dental issue that often goes unnoticed until it’s so pronounced. Keeping up with your scheduled dental appointments allows our family dentist in SW Calgary to notice and counteract this dental issue before it goes out of hand.
What Are the Causes of Receding Gums?
Some factors can bring about gum recession. Here are some of the common causes of receding gums:
- Plaque accumulation along the gum line
- Dental trauma or an injury to the gum tissue
- A tendency to brush too vigorously and to use a toothbrush with hard bristles
- Smoking
- Having tongue or lip piercings that rub against the gum tissue continuously, causing inflammation or irritation to the gum tissue
- Chewing tobacco
- Misaligned teeth and other orthodontic issues such as crooked teeth
- Poor oral hygiene practices
- Periodontal disease. This is among the leading cause of gum recession
- Genetic predisposition
- Bruxism and clenching teeth
- Aging
- Ill-fitting dentures
How Can You Prevent Receding Gums?
Gum recession is a preventable dental health issue. This means that you have the power to protect and safeguard yourself and your loved ones against the perils of this dental issue. Unfortunately, once your gums recede, they cannot naturally grow back to be like they were before; however, they are certain ways to prevent the dental issue from progressing or getting far, much worse.
Here are seven ways you can prevent gum recession from progressing:
- The Role of Diet In Preventing Receding Gums
Your diet plays a fundamental role in promoting healthy gums. Eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet will help improve and maintain your gums. For instance, crunchy fruits and vegetables are excellent in removing plaque and food particles that can accumulate along the gum line and lead to recession.
They are packed with vitamins and nutrients that promote good gum health. On the other hand, opting to eat sugary and acidic foods can lead to further gum recession. This is because bacteria thrive in an acidic environment, and this can cause gum irritation and further recession.
- Good Oral Hygiene Habits to Prevent Receding Gums
Good oral hygiene habits involve brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes after meals and flossing your teeth once a day. This will help prevent plaque buildup along the gum line that can cause periodontal disease, which is the root cause of gum recession.
You should also consider getting dental cleanings in Calgary as part of your oral hygiene program. These scheduled cleanings ensure that any plaque buildup is removed before it can bring about gum recession.
- Brush Gently
Brushing too vigorously using a hard bristled brush is one of the habits that promote gum recession. You should get a soft-bristled brush and gently brush your teeth, tongue, and along the gum line at a 45-degree angle using circular motions.
- Seek Orthodontic Treatment Where Necessary
You may be more vulnerable to progressive gum recession if you have an orthodontic issue such as crooked or poorly aligned teeth. You should talk to our family dentist in SW Calgary about a suitable orthodontic treatment, such as braces, which can resolve the issue and prevent further gum recession.
- Avoid or Cut Back On Smoking
Cigarettes contain nicotine which promotes gum recession and hinders any healing process on the gums. This can contribute to further gum recession.
- Deal With Bruxism
Bruxism and clenching teeth are habits that can also lead to gum recession because of the pressure it puts on the teeth. A customized mouth guard will help eradicate this issue and improve your teeth and gum health.
- See the Dentist Regularly
Aspire to keep your biannual dental appointments with our dentist in Calgary, SW, to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy and strong. These appointments are the key to maintaining your oral health.
Contact us today at My Dental Clinic for receding gum treatment and prevention.