Receding gums

Receding gums (gingival recession) refers to a loss of gum tissue resulting in an exposure in the roots of the teeth. Gum recession is a common problem in adults over the age of 40, but may also occur starting from the teens.

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Causes

• Overaggressive brushing - often gum lines recede due to toothbrush abrasion. The enamel at the gum line is worn away by scrubbing the sides of the teeth in a washboard fashion.
• Inadequate brushing or flossing - by allowing the bacteria to sit in between the teeth, bacteria can build up. The enzymes which the bacteria release can cause the bone to be eaten away from the teeth. This is very dangerous.
• Periodontal disease
• Dipping snuff - by "dipping" snuff in between your lip and teeth it affects the mucus membrane lining in your mouth and overtime will cause your gums to recede.

Treatment

If overactive brushing is the source of the problem, the patient should consider purchasing a softer toothbrush and be more gentle when brushing the receding areas. Because of its limited capacity to regenerate, gum tissue lost as a result of overzealous brushing is permanently lost. In cases of severe recession, dentists can perform an operation to graft tissue from one part of the mouth to cover the exposed areas.

See also

• Gum graft

Sources

• The Gum Recession Project