Causes of Receding Gums

When it comes to dental problems, one of the most common is receding gums. Unfortunately, this condition affects many around the country. If you have struggled with gum recession, you may have wondered about the causes of receding gums. For answers to this question, contact the general dentists of Lovett Dental Upper Kirby today at 713-490-8888.

There are many causes of receding gums. Before going into what can cause receding gums, you should know what gum recession is first. Gum recession is when the part of the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth pulls back. This can lead to more exposure of the tooth or greater exposure to the root of the tooth. In either case, the gum recession creates several gaps between the gum and the teeth. That makes it more likely that bacteria that can cause disease will accumulate in said gaps. This may cause several negative effects if not treated, including:

Damage to supporting tissue of the teeth
Damage to bone structures which support the teeth
Severe damage to both tissue and bone of the teeth
Tooth loss

Despite these potential effects, gum recession is a fairly common issue for your dental health. Here are some of the causes of receding gums:

Gum Disease

Gum disease is one cause of receding gums. In fact, gum disease is the most common cause of gum recession. Gum disease starts with the growth of bacteria in your mouth and can cause tooth loss if you leave it untreated. In short, it can damage the surrounding tissue around your teeth. While gum disease is the most likely cause of receding gums, there are also many other potential causes. Your genes might be one of them.

Your Genetics

Unfortunately, not all causes of receding gums are preventable. One such cause is your genes. Many people are more susceptible to gum recession simply due to their genes.

Overly Aggressive Tooth Brushing

Regular tooth brushing is a great way for you to keep your teeth healthy. However, if you brush your teeth with too much force or do it incorrectly, you can actually hurt your teeth. You can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear down and, as a result, gum recession. If you don’t take care of your teeth properly, you could experience gum recession.

Other Common Causes of Receding Gums

Not brushing or flossing your teeth regularly may lead to gum recession. You should also rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash for healthy teeth. Not taking any one of these steps may lead to plaque becoming tartar. Tartar is a hard substance that forms on and between the teeth in your mouth. Only a dentist can remove tartar. The buildup of tartar can be one of the causes of receding gums.

One likely consequence of using tobacco products is a sticky plaque developing on your teeth. This sticky plaque is hard to remove and can lead to gum recession.

If you grind or clench your teeth, you might be putting too much force on your teeth. This can make your gums recede. Grinding and clenching teeth is one of the most common causes of receding gums.

Learn More About Healthy Dental Habits at Lovett Dental Upper Kirby

There are quite a few causes of receding gums, from lack of proper dental care to grinding and clenching your teeth. However, you can make sure that you don’t have to deal with gum recession. Don’t let gum recession ruin your teeth and destroy your oral health. Proper dental care is one way to help prevent receding gums. You can help prevent gum recession by getting high-quality dental care from one of our dentists. We offer a range of services, including: