Your gums are receding?! Help! Many people are worried when they notice their gums receding.
And rightly so, because unlike bleeding gums, which can be more harmless, receding gums are actually an indication of a serious problem. If the gums lose substance, inflammation or periodontitis may be the cause.
Gum recession: what is it actually?
Gum recession is when the gums literally recede and the neck of the tooth is eventually exposed.
At some point, the root surface of a tooth or several teeth becomes visible. This can happen at different speeds and to different degrees.
Typical symptoms of gum recession
How you can recognize receding gums is quite simple. You will notice the typical symptoms of gum recession relatively quickly:
- Increased sensitivity: the tooth suddenly becomes more sensitive and reacts more strongly to cold, acid or hot drinks.
- Increased bleeding gums: Your gums bleed remarkably often when you brush your teeth.
- Redness and swelling: The gums are noticeably red and the gum pockets swell.
- Tooth seems longer: When you look in the mirror, the tooth somehow seems longer.
- Gum line: If you run your finger over the tooth, you can feel a notch between the tooth and the flesh. This is the gum line.
7 Possible causes of receding gums
Gum recession is usually caused by inflammation or disease. Any cause of receding gums should be taken seriously and addressed by a specialist.
1. gum recession due to grinding and clenching
Periodontal damage is encouraged or even caused by grinding and clenching. Both can have various causes. Stressors such as chronic irritation caused by inflammation, root canal treatment or metals in the oral cavity should be scrutinized when determining the cause. An unfavorable dental situation can also increase the pressure.
However, the well-known stress of everyday life or difficult phases of life are also quite common causes of grinding and thus the cause of receding gums.
Stress also weakens the immune system and increases the risk of deficiency symptoms. All of this can lead to serious gum problems, which can result in receding gums.
You can find the best tips against inflamed gums in this article.
2. gum recession due to poor oral hygiene
If you scrub too hard and horizontally when brushing your teeth every day instead of polishing carefully, the gums become irritated or even damaged. In many cases, adjusting the brushing and polishing technique is already very helpful.
Poor dental hygiene also promotes gum recession, as does brushing too hard. If we do not remove the deposits on our teeth regularly, tartar forms after a while. In the worst case scenario, this can lead to periodontitis, i.e. the loss of the tissue that holds the teeth firmly in the mouth. There is a risk of tooth loss.
3. smoking as a cause of gum recession
The nicotine contained in cigarettes promotes gum recession. Cigarette consumption makes the mouth and throat more susceptible to inflammation, which can lead to bleeding and inflammation of the gums. Smoking also weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight the inflammation that develops and making the healing process more difficult.
4. gum recession during pregnancy
Gum recession can occasionally occur during pregnancy. Due to hormonal changes, blood circulation is increased, which also affects the mouth area. This makes the gums more sensitive and more susceptible to bleeding.
The increased blood flow can also loosen the oral mucosa and gums. This makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate the gums and cause inflammation, also known as pregnancy gingivitis.
5. gum recession due to braces
Gum recession caused by wearing braces is not uncommon. The tensile forces of the braces, which are intended to shift the teeth, also have an effect on the tissue. In severe cases, the dentist will advise a gum correction.
6. age-related gum recession
A certain amount of gum recession with age is completely normal. There is therefore no cause for concern. However, this recession is clearly different from pathological gum recession. If you are not quite sure whether the receding gums are still normal, you should seek dental advice during regular prophylaxis to be on the safe side.
7. gum recession due to vitamin deficiency
Our immune system needs vitamins. This also applies to our dental health. Vitamin C plays a particularly important role in this, as it is directly linked to healthy gums. Vitamins A, D and E are also important for our oral flora. If there is a deficiency in one of the vitamins, the oral mucosa dries out, which promotes bacterial inflammation and therefore also gum recession.
Do the gums regenerate?
Unfortunately not. Once the gums are gone, they are gone and in most cases will not grow back.
Fortunately, minor injuries to the gums can heal completely if supportive measures are taken. However, if you are struggling with severe gum recession, unfortunately you cannot hope that the gums will regrow and exposed tooth necks will close up again.
Help my gums are receding: what can I do?
But how can progressive gum recession be stopped? What really helps against receding gums? At the first symptoms, simple household remedies can soothe and regenerate the gums and stop inflammation.
If the gum recession is already progressing, dental treatment and support is unavoidable - especially in view of the fact that other diseases should be ruled out as the cause
1. coconut oil for receding gums
If you want to strengthen your gums with a simple home remedy, we recommend coconut oil. The lauric acid it contains has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect and can prevent and possibly stop receding gums.
For lasting results, you should “pull” with coconut oil every morning.
To do this, clean your tongue with a tongue scraper immediately after waking up and then put a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth. The oil liquefies quickly and should be actively rinsed through the mouth for 2-10 minutes and also pulled through the interdental spaces.
Then dispose of the now white-yellowish oil in the household waste (DO NOT swallow).
2 Schüssler salts against gum atrophy
According to some naturopaths, the onset of gum recession associated with inflammation can be treated with Schüssler salts.
For this purpose, Schüssler salt number 5 - potassium phosphoricum - is recommended by naturopathic experts as an accompanying remedy in a holistic treatment.
3. massage the gums
Many people have probably never heard of a gum massage. However, it can actually strengthen the gums and possibly put a stop to gum recession. The massage also promotes blood circulation and healing processes.
Massage the gums very gently with a soft toothbrush or a clean finger. Only apply very gentle pressure and make sure you use circular movements. A combination with a little coconut oil is suitable.
How can I prevent receding gums?
The best situation is, of course, to avoid receding gums altogether and prevent them accordingly.
Essential for this is :
- Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a high-quality toothpaste and a gentle polishing technique. This gives plaque and tartar less of a chance.
- Clean the spaces between your teeth with dental floss several times a week to prevent food debris from promoting inflammation.
- Regular dental check-ups and professional dental cleanings at the dental practice - they are definitely more thorough than anything you can do at home.
- Give up smoking!
- Eat a tooth-friendly diet: little or no sugar, but a fresh, vitamin-rich and balanced diet. With a few hours between meals.
Our toothpaste powder made from 100% natural active ingredients makes a valuable contribution here. It cleans the teeth gently and thoroughly and prevents receding gums.
Have receding gums treated: How much does it cost?
If the train has already left the station, professional treatment remains as a measure. However, treatment for receding gums is associated with costs, which in some cases even have to be paid for by the patient.
Gum reconstruction can cost between 60 and 150 euros per tooth - depending on how many teeth are affected, this can add up.
If periodontitis is diagnosed by a dentist, most health insurance companies will cover the treatment costs and the necessary aftercare.
However, depending on the diagnosis, some insurers will only cover part of the costs or none at all, so you should discuss this with your insurer in advance.
Conclusion
Before gum recession becomes irreversible, there are some helpful steps you can take yourself. In most cases, taking early action can strengthen the gums and promote healing processes.
As a preventative measure, attention should be paid to healthy daily oral hygiene, a conscious diet and regular dental prophylaxis appointments.