There are numerous causes of receding gums. The fact of the matter is that the condition is extremely common among those forty and older, but in many cases it is thought that receding gums actually begin to develop as early as in the teens. This means that they can go unnoticed and untreated for many years. Of course, the vast majority of us do not get adequate professional dental care.  If we did, receding gums would likely be caught much earlier, at a stage in which they could be treated more easily and have a higher likelihood of growing back.

If you have ever wondered about the causes of receding gums, you should realize that they are many and varied, and that even those who are diligent about taking care of their teeth are at risk for developing this problem. While lack of proper oral health plays a huge role in the development of receding gums, the fact is that overzealous dental care can contribute to gums receding as well. It is no surprise that neglecting to brush and floss can cause bacterial growth, which can cause gums to recede over time. However, many people do not realize that brushing too hard, or even just incorrectly, can wear away the enamel of the teeth, which can (and does) cause the gums to recede. Many of the problems that contribute to receding gums can be avoided through regular professional dental care.

Some more causes include chewing tobacco and smoking, periodontal disease, chronic grinding of the teeth, sensitivity to a common toothpaste ingredient and oral piercings. Some of these things can be easily avoided; others take a little bit more diligence or intervention to remove from your life. If you are not sure exactly what is causing your gums to recede, your dentist may be able to take a look at your mouth and give you an idea as to what may be contributing to your problem, as well as advise you as to how to correct it.

Receding gums, whatever the cause, can be both a symptom of a larger problem as well as be a contributing factor to other dental problems. For example, cavities below the gum line can often develop as a result of receding gums. Another problem that is common to those people suffering from receding gum is excessive tooth sensitivity, often due to exposure of parts of the teeth that should be protected by the gums. In cases of severely receding gums, the roots themselves may even become exposed.

© 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.