Why Are My Gums Receding?

Healthy gums fit snugly around the teeth. Gums that are unhealthy can pull back from the teeth, exposing more tooth enamel over time. This is called gum recession. Gum recession can be a symptom of disease or injury.

When this happens, your teeth roots can become exposed over time, leading to damage. If this happens to you, your dentist in Jacksonville, FL can help. The professionals at Mandarin Dentistry can help you identify gum recession and give you treatment.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Several things can cause gum recession. Sometimes finding the cause of gum recession can be difficult. Some examples of gum recession causes:

• Gum disease. Gum disease causes the gums to become inflamed and puffy. Gum disease can also cause gum recession.
• Dental injury. If you’ve injured your mouth, you may experience gum recession in the location of the injury.
• Lip ring. Lip rings can rub the gums, causing gum recession.
• Brushing too hard. Brushing too hard wears the gums down a little at a time, leading to gum recession. Brushing with hard bristles can lead to gum recession as well.
• Using tobacco products. Using tobacco products can lead to gum recession, whether you’re smoking or chewing tobacco.

What Can You Do About Gum Recession?

Sometimes, identifying the cause of your gum recession can help you stop the problem. If your lip ring is causing gum recession, for example, you may wish to remove it. Your dentist can help as well. If you have a condition causing gum recession, the dentist can identify the cause and prescribe treatment.

Start with a dental cleaning in Jacksonville, FL. Your dentist, Dr. Matt Henry, can help you identify the cause of your gum recession and what can be done about it.