Gum recession is a gradual problem that occurs when the gums loosen around the teeth and expose their roots. The first sign is usually increased tooth sensitivity, but you may also notice that your teeth look longer than normal just by looking in the mirror.
Although a mild case may cause no other symptoms, more severe receding gums can initially cause tooth pain and sensitivity and eventually lead to tooth decay or tooth loss.
But knowing what’s behind the recession can help you manage the problem. Here are seven causes of receding gums.
1. You brush your teeth vigorously
Regular brushing is essential for oral hygiene, however you should emphasize intensity or you could irritate the gum tissue causing inflammation. This could lead to receding gums over time, according to a study published in the Dental Press Journal Orthodontics. The same attention should be paid to the quality of the toothbrush, as a hard toothbrush could injure the gums.
2. You have plaque or tartar build-up
If you don’t brush your teeth often, the chances of receding gums increase. Poor dental health favors plaque and calculus around the gum line, which could lead to inflammation. As a result, the tissue is more prone to recession.
3. It is periodontal disease
If the plaque and calculus get below your gum line, further increasing the inflammation and creating gum disease. These gum diseases can also cause them to recede and eventually even loosen or fall out of the teeth.
4. Grit your teeth
Repeated teeth grinding can put pressure on the gums, eventually causing swelling and inflammation. Over time, this inflammation could contribute to receding gums. Teeth grinding is often triggered by unmanageable stress, notes the Mayo Clinic, and often occurs during sleep.
5. Crooked teeth
Teeth that are tilted or rotated can damage the gums. If there is misalignment between the teeth, the gum tissue covering the root may be more exposed to trauma and wear and tear from activities such as chewing or brushing. This can lead to receding gums.
6. Smoking
It is already known that smoking can cause tooth discoloration, but it can also affect the gums. Tobacco use weakens the immune system and prevents the gums from fighting infection, which can lead to inflammation and receding gums, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
7. Tongue or lip earring
Sometimes the piercing causes irritation and inflammation that causes the gums to recede. In other cases, the piercing can cause an injury that damages the teeth or gum tissue, which can also create gum inflammation.
