Why Do I Have Receding Gums?

Gum recession is one of the most common dental issues that people of all ages experience. When your gums start to recede, a lot of pain and discomfort can arise in your sensitive gum tissue, your teeth, and the rest of your mouth. Bacteria can also build up in the pockets between your teeth and your gums, which could lead to tooth decay over time. Here are a few main causes of receding gums.

Genetics

Regardless of how well you take care of your mouth, receding gums could still affect you. This is due to the fact that 3 out of 10 people are genetically predisposed to having issues with their gum health. While receding gums may be unavoidable for these people, good dental hygiene can go a long way in making the treatment of their receding gums more effective.

Poor Dental Hygiene

Not caring for your teeth and gums can do a lot of damage to them over time. Poor dental hygiene causes tartar to build upon and around your teeth, which creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. When these bacteria begin to reach your gums, they become more prone to tissue damage and receding.

Excessive Brushing

While it’s certainly important to brush your teeth every day, many people fall into the habit of brushing excessively to the point that they actually harm their gums. Brushing harder and more often than necessary creates cuts and other types of damage to the tissue of your gums. When these cuts become infected, bacteria can arise and lead to gum recession.

Teeth Grinding / Bruxism

Grinding your teeth on a regular basis, known as bruxism, can have several negative effects on your mouth. It can impair tooth enamel, cause jaw pain and misalignment as well as cause receding gums. While teeth grinding there is pressure put on the gum line which results in the gums receding. A dentist can provide a mouth guard to protect your mouth from grinding which will help the gum recession.

Gum Infections

There are a lot of ways that your gums can become infected. Regardless of how this occurs, such infections are a major cause of receding gums. This is because infections weaken the tissue of your gums to the point that they begin to draw away from your teeth. The best way to deal with this is to identify the source of your gum infection and consult with a dental professional to find an appropriate remedy.

These are just a few of the main causes of receding gums. Though these causes may apply to your situation, it’s still a good idea to visit a dentist to determine the root cause of your receding gums. This will help you find the best treatment option possible and get your gums back into a healthy condition.

If you are in the NJ or NY area Dr. Paul Feldman at Suburban Essex Dental can help you. Our friendly dental office is located in West Orange, NJ in Essex County. Give us a call to schedule your appointment. We will be happy to help you to find a solution to your receding gum problems and advise you as to how to stop receding gums from getting worse.