Reviews: I see that some of my teeth have gumlines that are receding. I’m fairly good at my oral hygiene. I brush twice a day and floss once. What could be causing this? Is there a way to fix it?
Candace
Dear Candace,
I’m glad you wrote. I can tell you care about your teeth a great deal and do your best to take care of them. There are a few reasons you could be dealing with receding gums.
- Gum Disease
If plaque or food gets trapped under your gums, it is not only an irritant but can cause the teeth to become loose. I don’t know who your dentist is but most dentists check for this at each of your cleanings and checkups. Some discount clinics, though, will skip this step. You can call your dentist and ask how your gums looked at your last checkup or just go in for another one.
- Brushing too Aggressively
If you are super aggressive about brushing and using a hard-bristled toothbrush. I always recommend to use a soft-bristled brush. It does a great job and is safer for your gums.
- Bruxism
This is when you grind or clench your teeth. This can cause notches on your teeth at the gumline. When that does happen, it will cause your teeth to recede. This is also dangerous for your teeth. A simple nightguard, which your dentist can custom fit to your bite, which will protect your teeth. Without that, you will end up grinding your teeth down to nubs, which will require every tooth in your mouth to be crowned. That is known as a full mouth reconstruction and can cost you up to $60k.
Repairing Receding Gums
There is gum surgery which can be done to repair your gums. Periodontists do the surgery. Some dentists do it as well. A few, including Dr. Delaune, invest in further training to learn the pinhole technique.
Unlike traditional gum grafting surgery, this requires no scalpels or sutures. It’s worth looking into.
This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.