This month we’re talking all about the health of your gums! You might not realize it, but your gums are actually really important to your overall oral health. If your gums aren’t healthy, your mouth isn’t healthy! Periodontal (gum) disease and other dental issues can lead to advanced tooth decay and tooth loss.
But gum disease isn’t the only reason for receding gums, and poor dental hygiene isn’t always the cause of gum disease. Here are some of the most common causes of receding gums that Delton Dental recommends you look into.
Gums can recede with age.
The rest of your body is affected by aging. Why wouldn’t your mouth be affected as well? Sometimes gums can start to recede simply due to age. If you have certain genetics and/or have a blood relative with receding gums, it is much more likely that this will be the case for you, too.
Aggressive dental care
How aggressive are you with your brushing habits? You should be brushing your teeth with firm strokes without excessive pressure. You should also only be brushing your teeth two to three times per day for two minutes per brushing session. If you brush your teeth more than this or if you brush too hard or too fast, it can cause significant damage to your gums.
Dental hygiene mistakes
You could fully believe that you are doing everything right and still have poor dental hygiene. A surprising number of people do not know the proper way to take care of their teeth. You must have a good regimen of brushing, flossing, and using a therapeutic mouthwash, but you also have to know the proper way to do those things. If you’re not sure if you’re brushing or flossing properly or if you don’t know if you’re using the right mouthwash, we are more than happy to teach you. We can also schedule more frequent cleaning appointments to meet your needs.
Side effects of medications or symptoms of certain medical conditions
There could be a medical explanation for your receding gums. If your dentist suspects this is the case, they should refer you to your doctor for further evaluation. Some medications have horrendous side effects on your teeth, and most pharmacists and doctors fail to mention these side effects specifically. Some medical conditions can also lead to dental problems such as receding gums.
If you have receding gums and don’t know the cause, contact us today for an evaluation appointment.
