Gum recession is a problem that can affect everybody, even more so as we grow older. This affects roughly about fifty percent of every adult over 30 years old.

For this article, we shall be going through some general information about gum recessions. This will be including what it is, what causes it, as well as  tips for how to prevent it. As always, we have corroborated with dentists in Los Algodones to bring you the best information.

What is Gum Recession

Gum recession is when the gums “pull back”, revealing more and more of the teeth’s root. This is an infection that is actually destroying the tissue that is in charge of giving support and holding our teeth in place.

It is important to know when it is happening, as once we lose gum tissue, the body cannot replace it by its own. Of course, with today’s medical advances, it is possible to indulge in gum grafting to make up for the loss of gum tissue, but prevention is key in order to avoid unnecessary issues.

What causes Gum Recession

There are many reasons behind this. Most of them are due:

• Periodontitis and gingivitis. If given enough time and by not taking proper countermeasures, periodontal diseases can target gum tissue and destroy it.
• Bad dental habits. Not brushing and flossing properly leads to poor dental hygiene, which makes plaque deadlier. This plaque can turn into dental calculus and lead to gum recession.
• You are brushing too hard. Constantly damaging your gums through brushing can cause not only harm to our gums, but also for the tooth enamel.
• Bruxism and teeth grinding. This can also happen if you use your teeth like tools often.
• Smoking and tobacco products. Smoking, besides causing bad breath, is well known for aiding gingivitis and the like to go unnoticed.
• Genetics. Our genes also play a big role whether or not our gums will recede more easily with time.

In short words, anything that can irritate and harm the gums.

Tips for slowing down gum recession

Gum recession will happen eventually, whether we like it or not. But we can slow it down by taking a good measures. We have asked Los Algodones dentists for the best tips around, so here they are:

• Good oral habits. Practicing good oral habits is essentials towards a great oral health. This includes proper brushing and flossing techniques.
• Pick a good toothbrush. It does a difference to use soft-bristle toothbrushes rather than hard ones. It is also advisable to change them every three months, as the frays start getting frayed.
• Fix your bite if it is misaligned. A malocclusion is also a reason why gum starts receding. This also brings us to the next tip.
• Get orthodontic therapy if it is necessary. Not only will this place your teeth where they should be, it also helps brushing a great deal. By having your teeth aligned, it makes reaching all the necessary places far more easy.
• Avoid using your teeth as tools. Anything that brings unwarranted pressure and force onto your teeth should be avoided.
• Visit a dentist twice a year. Getting a professional cleaning and checkup every now is absolutely fantastic. A professional is able to tell you what you should be paying attention to, and will also address anything before it becomes a bigger issue.