Receding gums do not just negatively affect our appearance; they may also adversely affect our overall health. Some scientists believe that problems with the teeth and gums can lead to: heart disease, oral cancer, and systemic infections elsewhere in the body. Moreover, being unhappy with the appearance of your mouth can affect the mental health of the sufferer, leading to the lack of self-confidence, problems in relationships, and so on. It’s obvious that receding gums are not something that can be put into the corner. Receded gum-line is a condition that needs to be addressed and treated as soon as you can.

The first line of defense is starting to maintain proper oral hygiene, i.e., brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. Your toothbrush has to be soft, and neither the floss nor the brush should cause your gums pain or discomfort at the time of using them.

There are a few more tips that can help you to battle the recession of the gums, as well as to slow it down.

- Using homemade mouthwash. Tea tree oil, which has potent anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties, will help you in treating and prevention of this problem. Add 1-2 drops of oil to a glass of room-temperature water, and rinse your mouth twice daily (do not swallow the wash, as tea tree oil is toxic if consumed orally in large quantities).

- Avoiding acidic foods (coffee, chocolate, tomatoes, etc.). High-acid foods may lead to damage of the teeth over time. Thus, if you know that you have sensitive teeth, it’s best to avoid excessive consumption of acidic foods.

- Visiting your dentist twice a year. If you see that your condition is progressing, or if you see signs of any other problems (cavities, decay, bleeding or swollen gums), you need to see your dentist who will help you to determine and to treat the condition. Overall, it’s considered a very good practice to pay a visit to your dentist every six months.

It is very important to commit yourself to proper oral hygiene, which will not just help you with your dental health, but which will also help you prevent any negative outcomes of improper dental hygiene for your overall health.

And, finally, remember that receding gum lines have a lot to do with genetics. If you have this condition, it does not necessarily mean that your oral hygiene is improper; it may merely mean that you have inherited this condition from your ancestors.

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