Receding gums are a common condition in adults. It’s caused by the loss of blood flow to your teeth due to aging or other health problems. When this happens, it causes the enamel around your teeth to gradually erode away, which leads to a gradual decline in quality of life for you and your loved ones.
The problem with receding gums is that there isn’t much known about its cause, so many people don’t get any treatment options. Some doctors believe that the root of the problem lies in your diet, while others think it’s related to stress and poor dental hygiene habits. There are various treatments available though, but they’re not always effective.
If you have receding gums, then you’ll want to know what causes them and how to treat them effectively.
What Causes Receding Gums?
There are several factors that contribute to receding gums. One of the most significant contributing factors is age. As you get older, your body starts losing fluid, which means less saliva comes out every day. This results in your teeth becoming dryer and weaker than before. Since your gums don’t receive the nutrition they need to stay strong and healthy, this is what leads to receding gums.
There are also some medical conditions that can cause you to have weak gums, including vitamin deficiencies or even an underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism. If you notice your gums bleeding a lot more than normal, see your doctor right away. Don’t try to self-diagnose, since this could lead to a serious medical condition that needs immediate care.
If you’ve been losing weight at a fast pace, this can also cause you to have weak gums. People who have lost a lot of weight in a short period of time are more prone to having weak gums than the average person, so this should be something you keep an eye on.
Finally, if you have certain medical conditions that cause your blood vessels to weaken, it can cause your gums to recede. Things like kidney failure and liver disease can result in this condition. If you have any of these conditions, it’s best to see a doctor before it gets out of hand.
How Can You Treat Receding Gums?
There are some things you can do at home to treat your weak gums. For one, you can start flossing your teeth and brushing after every meal. Don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth in the morning and before bed as well.
You should also try to improve your diet by eating more foods that are high in Vitamin C. This will encourage the production of collagen, which promotes strong blood vessels in your gums. If you don’t like eating foods that are high in Vitamin C, you can always take a multivitamin instead.
When you brush your teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub your teeth and gums, but don’t use excessive force. Remember to brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth as well as the inside of your teeth. Make sure you don’t forget to floss!
If you’re struggling to do this yourself, ask a family member or loved one to do it for you so you make sure it gets done properly.
When you’re done brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth out with salt water. Mix ½ a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water, then rinse your mouth out with the salty water. Spit out the salty water after you’re done, but make sure you get all of it out of your mouth so it doesn’t irritate your gums.
If these methods aren’t helping your weak gums, it’s best to see a doctor right away. There are some medical conditions that can cause your gums to recede that are serious, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Having weak or receding gums can make your teeth and mouth susceptible to many diseases. If you want to keep your teeth for many years to come, it’s important that you take care of them now.
Common dental problems like weak or receding gums are easy to prevent and treat if you catch them early on.
Sources & references used in this article:
Periodontology, with Special Reference to Recession of the Gums’ by AJ McDonagh – Journal of Dental Research, 1919 – journals.sagepub.com
BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY by MMD NOSTRUMS – Elsevier
For Patients & Visitors by J Lu – nucohs.com.sg
Holistic Dental Care: The Complete Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums by N Artemis – 2013 – books.google.com
Buying In: Views from Entry Level by B Sparling – Chicago Review, 2008 – JSTOR
Nutrition and oral health by A Middleton, S Medlin – Dental Nursing, 2018 – magonlinelibrary.com
See also: Alcohol and Tobacco Use; Drugs and Tobacco Abuse by DB Abrams, R Niaura, RA Brown, M Karen… – The Truth about …, 2010 – books.google.com
