How to Keep Your Gum Line Healthy

Showing off your healthy smile is great, but you don’t want too much of your teeth showing. Receding gum lines can lead to problems not just for gums, but for the roots of your teeth as well. This can lead to costly treatment down the road. By following proper hygiene habits, you can help avoid a recession, no matter what the news says.

Prevention Is Possible

Not too long ago, gum recession was thought to be a normal part of the aging process. The older you got, the more likely your gums would naturally recede, similar to atrophy in other areas of the body such as muscle mass. In fact, older adults are at greater risk for recession. But the link between age & gum lines is weak & non-causal. 

Studies are showing that gum recession is primarily linked to gingivitis & other buildup of plaque. While aging & certain other genetic factors can increase the ease which recession can occur, they are not the cause. 

What You Can Do

The best thing to do to avoid a receding gumline, & even possible corrective surgery, is to brush regularly & well. Not brushing your teeth properly allows buildup of plaque, which prevents gum tissue from taking hold where it naturally should. There are two things to keep in mind when brushing.

1. Be sure to brush at the gum line. Brushing in steady, circular motions at the gum line can help remove buildup before it hardens. With the added use of floss, this daily routine can eliminate most food particles from your mouth.

2. Don’t overdo it. Brushing too hard or with too hard of bristles can irritate gums & inflame them. This can contribute to receding gums, making all that hard work for nought. Most people should use a medium to soft bristle to brush with daily & press just hard enough to keep the brush on the surfaces of teeth without bending the bristles into a frayed state.

Hygiene Means Cleanings Too

Proper brushing does a lot to keep your gums healthy, but over time, it isn’t enough. Sticking to a regular schedule for cleanings at your dentist is also key. Professional teeth cleanings can remove plaque that has built up even with good home habits. Talk to your dentist about setting up a treatment schedule to keep your gums healthy.

Sources: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4944726/

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/receding_gums_causes-treatments

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4753713/