You may have noticed in yourself or in others the receding of gum lines away from the teeth-this can be both unsightly and irritating, as it changes the very appearance of your smile. While for some people this happens naturally, for others it can be the symptom of a more serious problem.
Many people concern themselves with their hairlines receding with age. What they do not realize is that a far more important, but less visible, "line" may be receding: their gum line.
It is a common misconception that only old people's gums can recede. However, in reality, people of any age may be affected.
Receding gum lines are usually caused by periodontal disease, which is most often the result of poor dental hygiene. People in their twenties and thirties often consider themselves "too busy" to take much care of their teeth and gums, and this can bring on the onset of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is actually a bacterial infection which attacks the gums and the bone underneath them. The gums retreat from the constant assault of pathogens and the acid produced by them.
They also become inflamed as the body tries to kill the infection. However, since the infection is actually seated between the teeth and gums, the normal immune response cannot get to it.
The body's immune system only can reach what is inside the body, not in the crevasses which are outside the gums but next to the teeth. Unfortunately, all this pathogenic activity and inflammation begins to destroy the bone beneath the surface.
This is what leads to tooth loss, which is something nobody wants to go through. The last thing you want is to end up with dentures!
Another reason for this annoying problem, surprisingly, is brushing your teeth too vigorously and roughly. It is ironic because people who brush hard are usually trying to get their teeth super-clean to avoid having any problems with their mouth!
However, overly aggressive brushing directly damages the surfaces by scraping them too roughly. In turn, they then pull back in response to the repetitive mechanical damage, in order to try to protect themselves.
Grinding the teeth can also cause the mouth's inner surfaces to recede. Often damage or stress in one area of the body will negatively affect nearby parts.
Tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, has been known to cause this painful issue as well. This can be treated through a TMJ specialist, which your dentist can recommend.
Even though overly-aggressive tooth brushing can cause painful problems, proper brushing is a big key to keeping the mouth healthy-the key is to do it correctly, which your dentist can teach you.
Proper brushing is done meticulously but gently, and covers not only the tooth surfaces, but the part of the gum at the tooth border-the lines. Also, flossing is important, because debris left between the teeth and at the gumline is a banquet for bacteria.
For hard-to-reach spots, there are many inexpensive varieties picks sold at drugstores and pharmacies. The designs range from soft, flexible rubberized picks to firm but tiny brushes, which can fit between larger gaps in the teeth.
Use a combination of good brushing, flossing, mouthwash, and special picks to reverse early periodontal disease in yourself and your family. Your dental hygienist will be amazed at the difference made in just six short months!
One of the big problems with periodontal disease is that "deep pockets" form next to the teeth and let debris lodge in them. The disease then uses this opportunity to get roaring along without interference.
Use soft, long picks with rubber "bristles," which you can dip in mouthwash for an antibacterial effect, to get down into these pockets and interfere with those germs. At first, this may hurt, but soon, with the germs being killed on a daily basis, your gums will heal up and the deep pockets will improve greatly.
Though dentists can't guarantee that this will work for you, it is definitely something to try before submitting to expensive scaling and root planing. Talk to your dentist today if you or anyone in your family is having this problem-it is never too late to head off a more serious problem before it starts!
Author Resource:-
Ronald Pedactor is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health and dentist in Santa Cruz. He has been a guest dental lecturer for over 15 years.
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