If you are struggling with oral health problems such as gingivitis or periodontal disease, you are probably also dealing with the unsightly and embarrassing problem of receding gums. Receding gums are characterized by sensitive teeth, teeth that suddenly appear to be longer or farther apart than normal, teeth that appear or feel notched at or just above the gum line or even teeth with visible roots. Receding gums are among the most troublesome of dental health problems, because they are associated with the soft tissue of the gums rather than the teeth themselves. Receding gums can be difficult to treat, and often involve the combined expertise of a periodontist and a dentist in order to overcome.

One of the best ways to avoid developing receding gums is to understand the cause of receding gums. In most situations, receding gums are caused by poor oral health. For example, neglecting to brush and floss daily can allow bacteria to build up along the gum line and between the teeth. These bacteria can actually eat away at the bone of the tooth, causing receding gums as well as a whole host of other dental problems. Ironically enough, another cause of receding gums is related to overzealous dental care. More specifically, brushing the teeth too hard; believe it or not, brushing the teeth too hard can actually destroy the enamel at the gum line, resulting in receding gums.

Another big cause is tobacco. Both chewing tobacco and cigarette smoke are capable of eating away at the gum tissue, resulting in receding gums. Generally, if you are a cigarette smoker, any receding gums that you may experience will generally be roughly equal throughout your entire mouth. Those who chew tobacco, however, tend to develop severe patches of receding gums in the area(s) of the mouth in which they hold their chew. Receding gums that develop as the result of tobacco use may also be associated with oral cancer, so they should be taken extremely seriously. Oral cancer has the tenancy to spread quickly, so smokers or those who chew tobacco should immediately report any changes in their gums to their dentist or other health professional to ensure that they are not associated with a more serious problem.

Whether you know the cause of your receding gums or not, it is important to take your oral health seriously. Receding gums cannot be treated let alone grow back unless all of your oral health issues are addressed.

© 2009, Receding Gum. All rights reserved.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

This entry was posted on at and is filed under Information. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.