Apart from swollen gums, one of the most common gum problems is receding gums. In receding gums, the roots of the teeth become more visible and create small gaps that can become an entry point for bacteria. What causes receding gums and how do you overcome them? Check out the following review.

What are receding gums?

Receding gum is a form of gum disease. This condition occurs when the gum tissue detaches from the teeth so that the roots of the teeth at the bottom are exposed. This makes your teeth more susceptible to cavities, making them more sensitive when eating or brushing.

Receding gums can be mild, moderate, or severe. The condition can affect one or more teeth. In severe cases, it can lead to tooth loss.

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Causes of receding gums

Normally, the gums are perfectly attached to the teeth and jawbone. However, if your gums are receding, you can see pink-colored tissue close to the tooth root. Teeth with this condition are more prone to bacteria and plaque buildup, which can cause brittleness and fractures.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are a number of reasons why receding gums can happen, including:

• Brushing your teeth too hard
  Use of toothbrushes with excessively hard bristles or excessive tooth brushing pressure can cause receding gums.
• Genetic factors
  Some people are born with thinner gums, which makes them more susceptible to receding gum.
• Hormonal changes
  Women's hormonal changes during menstruation and menopause can make their gums more sensitive and prone to receding.
• Tobacco use
  Smokers and users of tobacco products frequently have sticky plaque that is difficult to remove from their teeth and, if left unclean, can cause the gums to recede.
• Tongue or lip-piercing
  Users of tongue or lip piercings often experience friction between the piercing and the teeth or gums, causing the gums to recede. This condition can cause the gum tissue to be damaged and prone to falling.
• Age factor
  Receding gums can happen to anyone, but it is more common in people aged 65 years and older.

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Can receding gums go back to normal?

Because the enamel layer is not covering the tooth root, receding gums can be painful. Unfortunately, receding gums cannot grow back and be restored to their original state. The tissue in the gums cannot regenerate, which makes them reattach to the teeth and jawbone.

However, there are some treatments that can be done to prevent cases of gum recession from causing further infection, among others:

• Administration of antibiotics
  Antibiotics are used to stop the growth of bacteria in the gums that are receding due to gum and tooth disease. The dentist will also clean the teeth with scaling and root therapy.
• Tooth bonding
  Dentists can perform dental bonding by attaching certain materials that have a color and shape similar to those of natural teeth. This procedure can cover exposed tooth roots and make them look more aesthetically pleasing.
• Orthodontic treatment
  Receding gums may be the result of misaligned, angular, or rotated teeth. In order to correct this, the dentist might suggest braces to realign the teeth.
• Gum craft
  Receding gums can also be treated with a gum graft, which involves adding gum from another area of the mouth or other tissue to the affected area.

Receding gums can cause gaps to appear between the gums and teeth, making the area prone to plaque and bacteria buildup. Perform regular dental check-ups to prevent receding gums and other infection risks.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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