What Can I Do About Receding Gums?

Receding gums is not uncommon among most adults. In fact, most adults more than 35 have some form of gum disease. Genetics may play a role in the progression of the disease, but often there are other factors. Many people think that the harder they brush the better off they are, right? Wrong. Brushing too hard can damage the teeth and gum lines. The gum cells are scrubbed away and the teeth enamal is removed. Harsh mouth washes can compound the problem, since they contain potentially harmful chemicals that irritate the gums. Receding gums are a sign of periodontal gum disease and is usually easy to identify. However, one may have to take a closer look. If you see or feel the ridge of the tooth at the gum line, then, it is likely that the bacteria and their flesh-eating toxins are already at work.

With advanced receded gums, a gum graft may be a necessary gum treatment. If somebody has healthy gums and teeth then less severe measures may be taken. First, a dentist will drills holes in the teeth and fill them a substance that limits the gum recession. In the United States dentists use this gum disease treatment more often.

A second treatment for receding gums is to place adhesive material to the eroding area of the teeth. Dentists use a drill to roughen the surface of the tooth. An adhesive material is then applied, afterwhich is is dried. Afterwards another layer of adhesive material is applied after being cured by an intesnse blue light. This method is used by many oral care practitionors, but is not yet acknolwedged by the American Dental Association (ADA).

The treatment of receding gums is vital if you desire to halt the destructive effects of bacteria on your gum line, teeth, and supporting bone structure. If you do nothing then you will start to experience some unpleasant symptoms. You might notice that hot or cold liquids and foots cause pain or discomfort. Why does this happen? When gums recede, they expose the root of the tooth and allow bacteria to destroy bone material. Ultimatley your nerves are open to whatever is in your mouth. More advanced problems can be periodontitis, heart problems, jaw surgery, or severe gum infection.

If you already have receding gums there is hope. You can actually reverse receding gums. Yes, that is correct!  Furthermore, it is possible to prevent receding gums, if you don't have them already. It does not have to be an inevitable problem.  Of course prevenative oral hygience is a must. What does this entail?

• Regularly flossing (preferable after each meal)
• Brushing (using a soft-bristled brush). Remember don't brush too hard.
• Visits to your Dentists (at least twice per year)
• Daily use of a mouth product that effectively kills bacteria.

Your dental hygienist can help you put together a strategy. They should also be able to measure how effectively you have been dealing with bacteria. Periodontal pockets can be measured with each visit.

Be sure to check the labels of any commericial products that you use. Usually their are warning labels that are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If the product contains a drug then the FDA is involved in order to protect the consumer. Sometimes there can be some harmful side effects if the ingredients are swallowed. Poison control many need to be called. Children and pregnant mothers are particularly more vulnerable.

Homeopathic or herbal mouth solutions, however, do not contain drugs, therefore are not regulated. With natural receding gums treatments you need to do your own research. You need to make sure the ingredients are pure and that you do not have any allergies or reactions. Generally natural remedies are safer due to years of use by people in cultures throughout the world and over long periods of time in the past.

People who have chronic gum disease, particularly if they already have the accompanying symptoms (receding gums, bleeding gums, gum infection, red and swollen gums), should take action with delay. Furthermore a dentist ought to be regularly used in order to check for pockets in the gum as well as bone loss. Once you lose your bone, it cannot come back. Therefore prevention, early diagnosis, and aggressive treatment of gum disease and receding gums is not an option, but a responsibility.