Your gums are receding?! Help?! Many people are concerned when they notice receding gums.
Rightly so, because in contrast to bleeding gums, which can also be more harmless, receding gums are actually an indication of a serious problem. If the gums lose substance, inflammation or periodontitis can be the cause.
Gum recession: what is it actually?
Receding gums occur when the gums literally recede and the neck of the tooth becomes exposed at some point.
At some point the root surface of a tooth or teeth will be visible. This can happen at different speeds and to different degrees.
Typical symptoms of gum recession
How you can recognize receding gums is very simple. You will notice the typical symptoms of gum recession relatively quickly:
- Greater sensitivity: The tooth suddenly becomes more sensitive and reacts more strongly to cold, acid or hot drinks.
- Increased bleeding gums: Your gums bleed noticeably frequently when brushing your teeth.
- Redness and swelling: The gums are noticeably red and the gum pockets swell.
- Tooth longer: When you look in the mirror, your tooth somehow seems longer.
- Gum line: When 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
The causes of gum recession are usually inflammation or illness. Any cause that causes the gums to recede should be taken seriously and addressed with professional support.
1. Receding gums due to grinding and clenching
Periodontal damage is promoted or even caused by grinding and clenching. Both can have different causes. Stressors such as chronic irritations caused by inflammation, root canals or metals in the mouth should be examined closely when determining the cause. An unfavorable dental situation can further increase the pressure.
But the well-known everyday stress or difficult phases of life are also a very common cause of grinding and thus the cause of receding gums.
Stress also weakens the immune system and the risk of deficiency symptoms increases. 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. Receding gums due to poor oral hygiene
If you scrub too hard and horizontally when brushing your teeth every day instead of carefully polishing, your gums will become irritated or even damaged. Adjusting the cleaning or polishing technique is very helpful in many cases.
Poor dental hygiene promotes gum recession, as does brushing too hard. If we don't remove the deposits on our teeth regularly, tartar will form over time. In the worst case, periodontitis occurs, i.e. the loss of the tissue that holds the teeth firmly in the mouth. There is a risk of losing teeth.
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 more difficult for the body to fight the resulting inflammation and making the healing process more difficult.
4. Receding gums during pregnancy
Receding gums can occasionally occur during pregnancy. Due to the hormonal change, the blood circulation is stronger, which also affects the mouth area. This makes the gums more sensitive and prone to bleeding.
The intensified blood circulation can also loosen the oral mucosa and gums. This makes it easier for bacteria to invade the gums and cause inflammation, also known as pregnancy gingivitis.
5. Receding gums due to braces
Gum recession caused by wearing braces is not uncommon. The tensile forces of the braces, which are intended to cause the teeth to shift, also affect the tissue. In severe cases, the dentist will recommend correcting your gums.
6. Age-related gum recession
Some gum recession with age is completely normal. So there is no reason to worry. However, this decline differs significantly from pathological gum recession. Anyone who is not entirely sure whether the decline is still normal should, to be on the safe side, seek dental advice about regular prophylaxis.
7. Receding gums due to vitamin deficiency
Our immune system needs vitamins. This also applies to our dental health. Vitamin C in particular plays a major role because it is directly related 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 mucous membranes dry out, which promotes bacterial inflammation and thus gum recession.
Will the gums regenerate?
Unfortunately no. Once gum is gone, it is 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, you unfortunately cannot hope that the gums will regenerate and exposed tooth necks will grow back over.
Help my gums are receding: what can I do?
But how can progressive gum recession be stopped? What really helps against receding gums? When symptoms first appear, simple home remedies can soothe and regenerate the gums and stop inflammation.
If the receding gums are already progressive, dental treatment and support is unavoidable - especially considering that other diseases should be ruled out as a 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 anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects and can prevent and possibly stop a decline.
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 add a tablespoon of coconut oil to your mouth. The oil liquefies quickly and should be actively rinsed through the mouth for 2-10 minutes and also drawn through the spaces between the teeth.
Then dispose of the now white-yellowish oil in the household waste (DO NOT swallow it).
2. Schüssler salts against gum recession
According to some naturopaths, beginning gum recession, which is accompanied by inflammation, can be treated with Schüssler salts.
For this purpose, Schüssler salt number 5 – Kalium phosphoricum – is recommended by naturopathic experts as an accompanying agent in a holistic treatment.
3. Massage the gums
Many people have probably never heard of a gum massage. In fact, this can be used to strengthen the gums and possibly stop the shrinkage. The massage also promotes blood circulation and healing processes.
Gently massage the gums with a soft toothbrush or a clean finger. Apply very gentle pressure and make sure to make circular movements. A combination with a little coconut oil is suitable.
How can I prevent gum recession?
The most optimal situation is of course to completely avoid receding gums and to prevent them accordingly.
What is essential for this is:
- Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a high-quality dentifrice and a gentle polishing technique. This means plaque and tartar have less of a chance.
- Clean the spaces between your teeth with dental floss several times a week to prevent food particles from causing inflammation.
- Regular dental check-ups and professional teeth cleanings in the practice are definitely more thorough than anything you can do at home.
- Avoid smoking!
- Eat a tooth-friendly diet: little or no sugar, but fresh, vitamin-rich and balanced food. With a few hours between meals.
Our toothbrush powder made from 100% natural active ingredients makes a valuable contribution here. It gently and thoroughly cleans the teeth and prevents receding gums.
Having receding gums treated: How much does it cost?
Once the train has already left, professional treatment remains the only measure. However, treatment for receding gums is associated with costs, which in some cases you even have to pay yourself.
For gum reconstruction you have to expect costs of 60 to 150 euros per tooth - depending on how many teeth are affected, this can add up.
If periodontitis is diagnosed by the dentist, most health insurance companies will cover the treatment costs and the necessary follow-up care.
However, depending on the diagnosis, some health insurance companies only cover part of the costs or none at all, so you should discuss this with the insurance company in advance.
Conclusion
Before your gums irreversibly recede, there are a few helpful steps you can take yourself. In most cases, taking early measures can strengthen the gums and promote healing processes.
As a preventive measure, attention should be paid to healthy daily oral hygiene, a conscious diet and regular dental prophylactic appointments.
