The Problem of Receding Gums

Good dental hygiene to prevent gum disease

None of us really like getting older. Whilst we may enjoy some aspects of the maturity that comes with being older, some of the side effects are less pleasant such as the wrinkles, receding hair or baldness and the lesser acknowledged side effect of receding gums.

Because our gums start to recede very gradually, it is likely that we will not even be aware of it at all for quite some time. In fact we are more likely to think that there is something wrong with our teeth when we feel that they are becoming more sensitive when in fact it is because our gums are receding.

The main cause of receding gums is without a doubt the onset of gum disease. The effect of this is that the bacteria in our mouth eat away at the gums, exposing more of the teeth than is normal. Whilst good dental care is very important to prevent gum disease, it is also important to keep up regular checkups with your regular dentist at our practice near Burton to monitor any potential gum disease. Because it is easily treatable early on, the earlier it is caught, the easier it can be treated whereas ignoring it will lead to a number of problems of which receding gums is just one.

Although brushing the teeth is important, brushing them the wrong way may even add to the likelihood of your gums receding sooner that should be expected. If you are uncertain about the best way to brush your teeth, don’t be afraid to ask your dentist; at Alexandra Dental Care we will advise you the best way to brush your teeth to prevent this problem whilst keeping your teeth free of plaque and tartar.

Smoking, perhaps unsurprisingly, also has a detrimental effect on the gums and increases the risk of gum disease so if you smoke, stopping is perhaps the best thing that you can do to help preventing or at least delaying the onset of gum recession. In fact, generally eating healthily will give your body the boost to help fight the gum disease should it occur though this does not negate the need for checkups and treatment for gum disease if needed.

Although old age will (hopefully) come to us all at some time, this doesn’t mean that we have to accept the negative aspects of it earlier than necessary and taking care of our teeth will leave us feeling more positive about ourselves. You may also like to look at some of the cosmetic dental treatments that we offer which can keep your teeth looking great, such as dental veneers and dental implants. Please ask us for advice about how to look great well into your old age.

Google+