How do I prevent receding gums?

Receding gums can mostly be prevented by treating the early signs of gum disease. Sore gums and bleeding gums are the first signs of gum disease, and much of the treatment can begin at your home at this stage.

Receding gums do not grow back. At best lost tissue can be reconnected in the pocket below the gums next to the tooth (gingival pocket), which can prevent further loss of gum. This only works if the area is free of gum disease.

You can start helping your gums by using a toothbrush with a soft bristle and wearing a mouth guard at night if you grind your teeth. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, eating high-sugar foods and consuming things high in acidity (such as fruit juice) are common causes of receding gums. Processed foods are similarly bad for gum health. Stress also leads to receding gums with the grinding and clenching of teeth so finding ways to unwind in a healthy manner will have a positive effect on your gums.

You can check to see if your gums are receding by looking in the mirror and checking that your gum lines are even with each other above each tooth. If you have a tooth that looks longer than the same tooth on the opposite side of the mouth then it might be suffering from some recession of the gum. Get your dentist to check regularly for any signs that you might have missed.

You can’t reverse the process of receding gums but if you treat any gum disease and change certain things in your lifestyle that is causing it you can arrest any further recession. Consult your dentist about the best course of action for your receding gums because if you don’t get it treated, it will lead to loose, mobile or lost teeth.