Gingival recession, or receding gums, is a common condition in the elderly but that doesn’t mean that age is the sole cause. There are a number of factors that can cause gum recession and potentially accelerate the age at which your gum line recedes!
When your gums recede, the part of your gums that protect your teeth wear away, revealing more of your tooth’s root. This allows gaps to develop between your teeth and gums where bacteria often build up. This can lead to severe damage to your teeth, and can lead to tooth loss it’s not treated.
There are numerous factors that attribute to your gums receding, and it’s not just ageing that can cause your gums to recede. You need to beware of the various causes of gingival recession, including:
- periodontal (gum) disease
- not brushing or flossing
- aggressive or incorrect tooth brushing method
- hormonal changes that make the gums more vulnerable
- grinding your teeth
- malocclusion (crooked teeth or misaligned bite)
- oral piercings rubbing against the gum
- a genetic predisposition to gum disease
While the elderly do suffer from gum recession more often, recession of the gum should not be dismissed as something young people need not worry about. If you can identify your gums receding early, you may be able to preserve your teeth and gums with help from your dentist!
Our team at Somerset Dental are big believers in prevention being the key to maintaining great dental health, so if you’re worried that you’re experiencing signs of gum recession such as sensitive teeth, teeth looking longer, or notches in your gum line, it may be time to ask one of our experienced dentists about your potentially receding gums. Contact Somerset Dental with your enquiry on 02 4648 0909.
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