Everyone wants to take care of their oral health because their teeth are what people notice first. Now, when it comes to your oral health, it’s important that you take good care of your gums. Yet, many people seem to overlook their gums as it isn’t really apparent when there are complications. This is because gum issues rarely cause pain or any apparent indications that anything is amiss. However, one telling sign of gum issues is receding gums.
To help you take better care of your gums, we’ve put together a brief discussion on everything you need to know about receding gums.
Should You Worry About Your Gums Receding?
The short answer to this is yes. The most common cause for receding gums is gum disease. While gums do recede naturally, this often happens later on in life. Genetics can also be linked to your receding gums. If your family has a history of this problem, it is likely it will happen to you as well. But if it becomes too evident, then it may be time to pay your dentist a visit.
Receding gums is typically caused by plaque that gets trapped between your teeth and gums. The plaque irritates your gums and causes bleeding when you’re brushing your teeth. Brushing too hard can also cause your gums to recede. To avoid this, it would be best to make use of an electric toothbrush with a soft bristle. If you can’t get an electric toothbrush, just be sure to exercise more restraint when brushing.
If your gums are receding, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can, as deep cleaning should help deal with the issue if you catch it at an early stage. However, more serious cases may require a gum graft to restore your gums to their previous healthy state. Remember that you must not delay this as gum disease can put your teeth, jawbone, and oral health at risk!
Why Are Your Gums Receding on One Side?
If your gums are only receding on one side of your mouth, it is likely that you aren’t brushing that part of your mouth as well as the other side. As such, just try to be more consistent with the way you brush your teeth. Another possible reason for this can be linked to how you chew. If you find that you chew more on one side of your mouth, then it’s normal for your gums to recede more on that side.
What Does It Mean If Your Gums Are Receding on One Tooth
Any of the reasons stated above could explain your gums receding specifically on one tooth. But another reason could be physical damage or trauma. If you accidentally cut your gums on one tooth while eating or scratched it with your nail while you were picking something out of your teeth, then the damage may cause your gums to recede.
Conclusion
We hope this article has convinced you of the importance of caring for your gums. As we’ve stated above, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice any issues regarding your gums receding. Otherwise, making regular trips to your dentist will also help keep your gums and teeth healthy!
If you’re looking for a dentist in Chattanooga, Shallowford Family Dental is the way to go. We’re rated number one when it comes to general and cosmetic dentistry. Contact us to book an appointment today!