It can be painful, embarrassing and damaging to your oral health if you suffer from gum recession. In this post, we’ll look at the main causes of receding gums and I’ll share my professional tips on the best ways to prevent and treat them.

What are receding gums?

Receding gums occur when the gum tissue around the teeth wears or diminishes, and exposes more of the tooth and root. This gum recession causes gaps around the teeth where bacteria can buildup, causing serious oral health conditions that may result in tooth loss.

Lots of people have this problem and sometimes you may not even know you have it. That’s because it is a slow progressing condition. Some indications that you have receding gums are tooth sensitivity and your tooth appearing longer.

What causes receding gums?

• Brushing your teeth too hard
  We now know that brushing your teeth too aggressively results in damage to your gums causing recession and wedges
• Flossing too hard
  You can damage your gums by pushing down on them too hard with harsh floss tape
• Gum disease (gingivitis & periodontitis)
  This bacterial infection of the gums is a major cause of gum recession because it affects the tissue and bone that supports your teeth
• Your genes
  Unfortunately, if gum recession is in the family, it’s likely you will suffer from the same condition.
• Poor dental hygiene
  Not cleaning our teeth properly results in bacterial infections like gum disease.

Tips on how to prevent and treat receding gums

The good news is that all receding gum conditions can be treated. Advanced gum recession may need surgery, so I would advise going to see your dentist in this case.

Below are my top professional tips for treating and preventing receding gums:

• Don’t brush too hard
  Use a gentle motion and concentrate on brushing one tooth at a time. Brush twice a day
• Clean the bacteria from your tongue daily
  Use a tongue scraper to reduce your mouth bacteria (the white stuff on your tongue)
• Use interdental brushes to clean between your teeth
  Studies have proven that interdental brushes are more effective than flossing at cleaning the spaces between your teeth
• Use mouthwash
  Swilling mouthwash at the end of your nightly dental routine can help reduce bacteria and remove some of the final residue you haven’t managed to get with your brush or interdental cleaner

If you clean your teeth thoroughly every day using my tips above, you will prevent gum recession, keep your mouth healthy and avoid more serious health conditions such as gum disease, halitosis and cavities. It will also have a positive effect on your overall well-being!

Want to experience the oral health benefits of interdental brushes?

Biteaway’s monthly subscription gives you a 30-day supply of Swiss-made, custom fit interdental brushes so you can keep your mouth healthy, your breath fresh and your smile beautiful.

Cleaning between your teeth just got a whole lot easier…

GET MY MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION

xoxo Nora

• Share this:
• 
• 
•