Causes of Receding Gums

Receding gums is a condition wherein the attachment of the gum line to the surface of the tooth is lowered, due to which a small part of the yellow portion of the root is exposed. This is a condition that leads to many problems like sensitivity, loss of aesthetics due to an unsightly smile, etc. This is one of the leading symptoms of periodontal diseases and gum diseases and is mostly seen in elderly patients. There are many causes of receding gums, which can lead to this problem. So, given below are the various receding gums causes that will help you understand the etiology of this condition.

What Causes Receding Gums?

Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene affects the health of gums to a large extent. The presence of plaque and dental caries leads to contamination of the attachment of the gum line to the tooth. Due to the constant accumulation of plaque in the inter-dental crevices, bacteria start lodging in this region. This affects the attachment cells, which lose contact with the tooth surface and migrate lower to get attached to the surface of the root. One of the receding gums causes is also misaligned teeth. Due to malpositioning of teeth, the gum line tends to move lower to the tooth. Furthermore, when teeth are misaligned, it is a lot more difficult to maintain oral hygiene, which further leads to receding gums. Inner lip and gum piercings can also be one of the causes of receding gums.

Bad Habits
One of the common receding gums causes is bad habits. Many people tend to brush their teeth very aggressively. This kind of vigorous brushing weakens the gingival lining and the gingival tissue. Even bulimia, where a person constantly vomits and purges out food eaten, can be one of the receding gums causes. This is because the constant throwing up of acid that from the stomach can lead to destruction of the gingival lining. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, wrecks havoc on teeth and lays stress on the periodontal fibers. Due to this, it could lead to loss of attachment of the gum tissue. Chewing tobacco causes stress to the gum lining, which could lead to loss of attachment. Extensive orthodontic treatment, where there is movement of teeth brought about over large distances can also lead to a receding gum line.

Progressive Periodontal Diseases
Progressive periodontal diseases is also one of the leading receding gum line causes. In periodontal diseases, there is often inflammation of the gums, leading to swollen gums around tooth and other such symptoms. Due to the inflammation, the gum tissues become weak and contaminated. Instead, the microorganisms grow and adhere to the tooth surface. As the immune system tries to fight off these microorganisms, the gum tissue cells get damaged as well, leading to widespread loss of attachment. This is one of the rapidly progressing receding gums causes, especially when seen in cases of aggressive periodontitis or acute necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis. There is loss of attachment and recession of the gum line also seen in chronic periodontitis and abscesses of the periodontium.

These were the various receding gums causes. The receding gums treatment will depend on the underlying cause that is leading to receding gums. As the causes are so many and varied in nature, it is necessary to address the problem according to the exact cause. In the end, like they say, prevention is always better than cure, so with a little bit of dental care, you can always keep the problem of receding gums at bay!