Exploring the Issue of Receding Gums: What are They?

A problem many people experience in their mouths is the issue of receding gums. Being a common problem, we feel a need to make sure the problem is outlined and understood in order to help you prevent and/or reverse receding gums.

What are Receding Gums?

Healthy gums lead to healthy smiles!

It’s all in the name: receding gums. This means our gums begin to pull away, or recede, from our teeth, potentially exposing more and more of a tooth’s root. When this occurs, patients will typically complain of increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, and sugary foods. Sensitivity is often described as a sudden sharp pain. In severe cases, eating foods becomes unbearable because of the pain experienced.

It’s an issue that occurs over a long period of time, often gradually until symptoms begin. The worse it becomes, the easier it is to detect. Those with receding gums will have teeth that appear longer than they should since their gums have pulled away.

Why are your Gums Receding?

You’re Brushing Too Hard

This is the most common reason why people suffer from receding gums: they are brushing too hard. This is why many dentists suggest “soft-bristled” toothbrushes – because they are softer on our gums. Having a soft-bristled toothbrush doesn’t mean we are safe from receding gums. If you brush too hard with a soft-bristled toothbrush, then you can still develop receding gums.

Quick tip: Before brushing, run your toothbrush over warm or hot water to soften it up and make it easier for your gums to handle.

You Haven’t Quit Smoking

Smoking poses many risks, and it should be no surprise that receding gums are one of them. Those who smoke suffer from a buildup of sticky plaque that irritates our gums and causes them to recede over time.

Gum Disease

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can cause bacterial infections in our mouths that can destroy our gum tissue – leading to receded gums. Gum disease can be reversed if it’s treated early enough.

You’re Not Visiting Your Dentist

Tartar can cause gums to recede, as well as begin the process of gum disease. By not visiting your dentist, you are allowing tartar to build-up along your teeth. Tartar forms on your teeth when plaque hardens and cannot be removed at home. A professional dentist using special tools must remove tartar.

Healthy gums are an essential aspect of your mouth that can make or break your oral hygiene. For healthy gums, you should always stay consistent on brushing and flossing your teeth every morning and night, as well visit your dentist twice a year for a dental checkup and professional cleaning.

Deep Cleaning Your Way To Great Oral Hygiene At Home

Effective dental hygiene is all about managing the build-up of plaque. Routine brushing and flossing should be a given by now, but there are products on the consumer market that can enhance the removal of plaque and improve your oral health. These dental products are known as deep cleaning water flossers marketed under various different names. Who knew deep cleaning could be done at home!

Deep Cleaning Water Flossers Make Up For The Slack

Water flossers are perfect for adding a little spark into your dental routine. An example of one is the Waterpik® Water Flosser that has been around for a while. Traditional flossing methods are not as effective in cleaning under your gum line, and water flossers are a great way to make up for the slack.

You should always floss every day!

The space under your gum line is known as a periodontal pocket and a good pocket will not be any more than 3mm deep. When your dentist or hygienist is checking your pocket space, they will read off numbers that are written down. These numbers are referring to the amount of space between the many different pockets of your teeth. Spaces that are more than 6mm deep point to periodontal disease that is often treated with gum irrigation and deep cleaning methods within your dentist’s office.

Water flossers shoot a steady, pressurized stream of water under your gum line in an effort to remove any plaque, tiny food particles, or other gunk that exists there. Most water flossers offer different speeds for a gentle experience that does not result in pain. Find a speed that works for you and stick with it.

Water flossers do not have to be used everyday, but if you have one around then you will only benefit from daily use. Don’t be alarmed if your gums bleed at first, they will have to adjust to the new pressure.

They Are Also Great For Orthodontics!

Aside from a deep cleaning experience, water flossers serve as a great way to floss with orthodontic appliances. Many children – and adults – struggle with special flossing tools that are used to clean out food particles stuck between your braces. Water flossers excel in removing anything stuck in between your braces or teeth.

Even with a deep cleaning tool, you are still absolutely recommended to visit a dentist because they possess the knowledge to see exactly how your teeth and gums are faring. They can also remove any plaque and tartar that you may have missed. Tartar is a very hard substance that water flossers are not strong enough to remove, making it essential to visit your Las Vegas family dentist who has the necessary tools to rid your mouth of this strong build-up.

Disclaimer: We are not endorsing the Waterpik® Water Flosser in any way, we are just merely using it as an example to explain the effectiveness in the removal of plaque in areas of our mouth that traditional methods do not perform as well in.