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What can I do About Receding Gums?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Gingival recession, or receding gums, is a condition where the roots of the teeth become exposed because of the loss or shrinking of gum tissue. Treating gum recession is important, not only for comfort, but also to preserve the health of your teeth. Left untreated, this condition can lead to greater risk of tooth decay and other oral conditions such as a poor bite, sore jaw, periodontal disease and tooth loss. Depending on the degree of recession, treatments include changing brushing habits, deep cleaning by a dentist, and dental surgery to repair the gum damage.

Symptoms

Regular dental exams can help detect receding gums.
Regular dental exams can help detect receding gums.

Although receding gums are typically a normal part of the aging process in those over 40, many people may notice them much earlier than that. Sometimes gum recession can be identified by sight, or by feeling the top of the teeth at the gumline. Many people with receding gums feel like their teeth are notched at the top. Discomfort is another common symptom of receding gums, because the exposed top portion of the tooth is much more sensitive than the rest, making it uncomfortable to eat hot or cold foods and liquids.

Treatment

A soft toothbrush will prevent further damage to gums.
A soft toothbrush will prevent further damage to gums.

The treatment for receding gums depends on what's causing the recession. If it's caused by misaligned teeth, then an orthodontist may be able to help with braces or other appliances. For those who suffer receding gums due to overly exuberant brushing, consider switching to a softer bristled toothbrush and ask your dental hygienist for tips to improve your technique. The progression of the condition can be slowed by quitting smoking and brushing regularly. In the case of someone with periodontal disease, treating the underlying condition is a big part of treating gum recession.

Flossing can help prevent premature receding gums.
Flossing can help prevent premature receding gums.

For those with severely receded gums, a graft from another part of the mouth may be the only option for treatment. If the damage is not quite as bad, then a dentist can clean any gaps or holes in the teeth and gums, and then fill them in with a material that stops the gums from receding further and stimulates re-growth.

Herbal or homeopathic treatments offer less invasive solutions. Popular homeopathic remedies include massaging your gums with mustard oil daily, or using a solution of kali phos, nat sulph, and silicea on the gums. Merc sol is also sometimes recommended. Be sure to do your own research; herbal and homeopathic remedies aren't regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it's beneficial to be aware of any side effects or situations where the remedy may be contraindicated.

Prevention

A dental hygienist can offer advice about treating receding gums.
A dental hygienist can offer advice about treating receding gums.

Regular cleanings to remove plaque build up as well as treatments for possible periodontal disease should be undertaken where appropriate. Although some people are predisposed to receded gums due to heredity, premature gum loss may be prevented with proper oral hygiene including daily brushing, flossing and regular visits to a dentist. Many dentists advise patients to focus most on proper flossing, saying that it is even more important than brushing alone. Those who have minor or serious gum disease, particularly those with accompanying gum recession, should be examined by their dentist on a regular basis to check for pockets in the gum as well as bone loss. Prevention, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment will all help in avoiding loss of teeth and receding gums.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon1000165

I noticed this before but I guess it never clicked in my brain. Whenever I use antiseptic or antibacterial agents my gums start growing again. I don't know what it is. Whether it's rinsing with Listerine or brushing with peroxide toothpaste a person needs the antiseptic/antibacterial properties. It's like the gums don't want to grow when there is bacteria around. Hope this helps someone!

tdeamicis

Also, do know that you can heal/repair/prevent cavities/holes/pits in your teeth? Research with fermented cod liver oil combined with butter oil, along with grass fed bone broth soup, grass fed gelatin, raw milk, etc to heal and repair your teeth. Your teeth are bones, and you can heal broken bones. You can do the same for your teeth (but your dentist will never tell you this).

tdeamicis

Also, you do need fluoride, but not the kind in our water, in our toothpaste, etc. That fluoride is a hazardous waste byproduct. But you do need a quality natural fluoride (ideally, a cell salt works best as you only need trace amounts).

Comparing a quality (natural) fluoride to the kind in our water is not at all the same. Avoid all that hazardous waste byproduct fluoride (in the huge bags with poison written on them), and make sure to get a good quality fluoride cell salt.

tdeamicis

Oil pulling is great to help with bad breath, gum recession, healing cavities, gum disease, whitens teeth, etc, etc.

Pull with either sesame, sunflower or coconut oil (best, good, okay) for 20 minutes as soon as you wake up (before brushing teeth, before eating, etc). Pull through teeth, make sure to spit it out at the end (do NOT swallow this), it will be full of germs and nasty stuff.

anon345230

My gums receded because of me having braces. My front four teeth have this recession. Please help me out. I want them to grow back. It doesn't looks good. Please suggest some effective home remedies or homeopathic treatments. I am 21 years old. I don't want to have surgery.

anon344765

I am 55 years old. My gums have been receding for the past two or three years. They are in every other respect healthy. I visit for cleanings every six months, and have been told recently not to worry, that the gums are doing great. And yet, when I inspect my gums, they are receding more and more every month. I am doing all the right things, soft brush, floss, mouthwash with Neem, vitamins, they keep getting worse. This keeps up I will have no teeth in five years, but I am told not to worry. Any ideas?

Firewall

By the way, I discovered a better way to kill off the oral bacteria (stapholoccus mutens)which causes gum recession, caries(cavities) plaque and tartar. It's a sugar substitute called Xylitol. You simply put a heaped teaspoon of this in your mouth. As it dissolves, it draws out and mixes with a lot of saliva, producing a mouthwash.

Rinse with this an hold in your mouth, preferably for about 20 minutes, every day. You'll be amazed at the results.

ae8888

I am 65, and have been having receding gums since I was 40. I did try the dentist's treatment and it was very painful and expensive.

I gave up for years, but magically found the solution. Doctors are going to be very angry at me for making them lose all that treatment money, but I love to help. It is so simple, I wonder why no one found it before me. Using a pestle and mortar, I crush vitamin c, b1, niacin (b3), b complex and calmag. I put the mixture in an airtight, small bottle (to keep it from oxidizing) and store it in the fridge. Every 24 hours I take out a small amount and rub it between my teeth and gums. I did this for two weeks and my gums look like they did when I was in my twenties! Try it and post. Best to you.

anon323460

@anon7816: Try omega 3 fatty acids!

anon323323

To the guy stating that fluoride is a waste product and is put in our water to drug us and harm us. Fluorite is naturally occurring, it is also found naturally in fresh and sea water. our water is fluoridated to prevent tooth decay. Try going your entire life without eating, drinking or ingesting fluoride and we'll see what your teeth look like.

anon287991

Gums can't grow back but you can stop gum disease. I am 52 and here is how I did it. Use a salt based toothpaste (mostly made in Germany). Dip toothbrush in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and brush teeth and especially tongue, rinse with water and then take 1/2 teaspoon of xylitol (the biggest killer of mouth bacteria). Move it around mouth and after a while, just swallow. It is nice and sweet and good for your mouth.

anon261370

To anon who said they have this problem because of lactose intolerance: cow's milk is not the only source of calcium! Indeed, it is a very poor source, because it actually leaches calcium from the body! Much better and healthier sources are tahini, nuts, and green leafy veggies.

I've been getting receding gums since undergoing severe stress due to abuse to my children and me. This has resulted in nutrient deficiency, which I have tried to counteract, but obviously one needs to be very vigilant at this.

Interestingly enough, regarding teeth, I have found 'Relive' powder (this is rather expensive) and 'New Era' combination R tissue salts - this can be found in the health food store - helpful.

Firewall

Almost all gum recession and bleeding is caused by infections which grow between the teeth and the gums.

Systemic antibiotics or oral mouthwashes can't reach them.

This condition usually starts due to a vitamin C/L-Lysine deficiency. (chronic scurvy)search "linus Pauling vitamin c lysine". Most need 1000mg of each a day to redress it.

This will strengthen up the gums, but the infections have to be killed by accessing them directly. Some dentists place antibiotic strips in the pockets between the teeth and the gums for this but most haven't a clue.

You can do this yourself using 1-2 percent hydrogen peroxide, salt or antibiotics but you need a special applicator and instructions.

anon205274

Gums don't grow back. you can stop the recession, but you can't make them grow back.

anon183548

I'm nearly 12 and I've noticed that my gums are receding. I've brush my teeth twice daily sometimes even thrice but its made no difference. But I'm extra concerned is that one of my gums on my front teeth has severely receded and like twice as much as the others, and if it recedes another millimeter or two it will get a notch. Please help. I don't know what to do.

My mum says it's nothing to worry about but I'm concerned. I don't know what's caused this though. It might be gingivitis, my mums had it almost all her life, I clench my teeth when I sleep (don't know why) so it could be that. My teeth are misaligned too, I think I need braces but I can't because "not all my teeth have fallen out".

And I've looked it up and it could also be gum disease. I might have that but my gums aren't at all swollen or red, they're pink but very thin and it is blue in one area. And I've seen something about sensitivity to this toothpaste ingredient. I'm unsure but I don't know if it could it be this because my mouth gets sore after brushing my teeth (I brushed my teeth 20 mins ago and it still feels weird) and if I get toothpaste on my lip it gets sore too plus my skin is super sensitive too and goes flaky easily. Maybe this is normal but I'm unsure.

Please help. I don't know what to do and I'm pretty freaked out. Luckily I've got a dentist appointment booked for tomorrow. Also does anyone else have sore gums after brushing (not because of harsh brushing) and just wondering is gum recession reversible in any way?

anon173484

I also suffer with inflamed gums and bleeding gums so I now floss and brush, and then I hold peroxide in my mouth for about three to five minuets, let it foam then spit it out, next I rinse with almost hot water with a teaspoon of salt and not a lot of water in it.

hold this mixture of very warm salty tasting water around all of your gums, don't swallow any salt water but do spit it out. your gums will feel better the tenderness will reverse itself. The only thing is you have to repeat this each time after you eat and before you go to bed. Your gums will feel and look better and the will tighten up around the teeth. this works for me. --MVP

anon168952

Part of gum recession is due to bone loss. Bone loss can happen when the body is eating acidic forming foods so the body needs to take calcium and other minerals from the bones to buffer the acidity. Eating less acid forming foods and more alkali forming foods can prevent this. Vitamin K2, Vitamin D, Calcium work together to build new bone. Taking calcium alone without vitamin K2 just makes the body deposit the calcium on the bones, not rebuild the bone structure.

Removing the bacteria alone by brushing is not sufficient to prevent recession but a combination of more greens in the diet, for Vitamin K1 (which can be converted to 2 but supplementing is quicker), making sure you get enough sun or supplement with vitamin D and then adding calcium and magnesium rich foods with make all the difference to those youngsters who haven't 'got it bad' yet.

I am hoping I can at least stop mine. Chlorhexidine stained my teeth badly. Giving up fluoride toothpaste reduced inflammation for me too. Good luck everyone.

anon158510

I've tried gengigel but can't approve of gums growing back. It would maybe work with a more periodontal case, but mine is just a mild recession. I visited a dental hygienist ten days ago, she recommended me to use curasept O.12 percent toothpaste and dental rinse. I have to admit it relieved my gums from being irritated. Give it a try, maybe it will help you.

anon146967

There can be no gum recession without infection. There can be no infection if brushing imitates the chewing motion in the way Nature intended. No sideways, only up and down the same as chewing.

anon139751

Seems that "Gengigel" mouthwash is an easy try solution. However, I searched the entire web site. Where can I buy it inside USA. I saw most vendors are from UK. The shipping charge is very expensive.

anon133391

I'm 12 and my gums are receding already!

I don't eat many sweets and brush twice a day using a soft brush for a reasonable amount of time but I have a bit of an overbite and the dentist said I have slight gingivitis.

Plus strips of my gum come off and one of my teeth is wearing down because of my overbite but I have to wait for ages to get my braces fitted, as the last time I saw the Orthodontist that said my mouth was too small (I'm really small, LOL).

Neilmc

It is ridiculous to suggest that covering root tissue exposed by infection with a resin bonding technique will somehow stop further gum recession. Unless we create Nature's defense mechanism (which is tight healthy gums), the door is wide open for more bacteria to do more damage which allows more recession.

Close the door against infection by simply brushing the way Nature intended which simply is the best possible imitation of the chewing action - no sideways brushing!

Neilmc

To suggest that gum recession is part of the aging process has been proven incorrect. The damage done to the tissues supporting teeth is totally preventable, providing gum stimulation occurs in a way that imitates the chewing action just as Nature intended.

The little up and down movements with an accurate brush (not soft) will penetrate gaps where most infection occurs. This also eliminates the destructive action occurring when any sideways action occurs. Mother Nature knows best!

freegeek

Stay away from fluoride. It is more toxic than lead. If you don't believe me, read the warning label on you fluoridated toothpaste. It is the main ingredient in rat poisoning.

Sodium fluoride, which is in our municipal drinking water, toothpaste, sprayed on crops and put in our food, is an industrial waste by-product. It doesn't help your teeth. It accumulates in you brain and organs and it does not break down or get digested. Type a question into your search engine about the truth behind fluoride. If you are looking for a way to help your teeth, consider using colloidal calcium citrate which is good ol calcium that is in a small molecular form and can be absorbed into the body. It helps bone density, stops osteoporosis and stops dental problems but, it is kind of expensive. I hope that helps.

anon106244

Fluoride does not help your teeth. It really reduces bone density and makes your teeth more brittle. Sodium fluoride, which is in your toothpaste, is an industrial waste aluminum by product and is the main ingredient in rat poisoning.

The Nazis put it in the drinking water to keep the prisoners passive and dumbed down, much like they put it in our water now. Maybe it is time to rethink this medical dental thing going on now.

If you think a little won't hurt you, think again. It accumulates in our brains and in our organs and causes alzheimer's disease. It is being sprayed on or crops, put in toothpaste and drinking water and is in many processed foods. The thing you are looking for to give you healthy teeth is calcium citrate in a colloidal form. It adds bone density and stops osteoporosis.

anon102075

I have found the answer to receding gums.

I suffer from it and the amount of recession in the last two years has been severe leading me to have great anxiety about my teeth eventually falling out.

I raised the topic with my dentist and I wasn't at all happy with his response. I'd had a bit of gingivitis and that had cleared up by using a Chlorohexidine based mouthwash.

The dentist's response was "The gums are looking much better, it's probably the reduction in the inflammation that's causing them to appear to be thinner. Nothing to worry about". Boy was this dentist wrong!

I would estimate the total recession to be of the order or 3 milimetres or more.

My gums have also gotten very thin, and progressively getting worse.

The solution? I'm still undergoing treatment but I can visibly see the improvement.

The answer? I use a mouthwash called "Gengigel" which contains a substance called Hyaluronan.

The mouthwash is very expensive at 4 Great British Pounds per bottle. It needs to be used frequently, about four times per day so you need a lot of it.

I have used around three bottles of it so far.

Expect to use perhaps six or eight bottles over several weeks.

This stuff works, it really does. It is expensive, but is it worth spending 60 GBP to stop your teeth from falling out? Yes.

It's taken several weeks for me to determine whether this stuff works or not. I have a mark - an indentation in the surface of the enamel which I never knew was present as it used to be hidden below the gum line. That has been exposed now for the last couple of years.

The gum is quite literally growing back up and is now touching that indentation in the surface of the enamel.

Still some way to go before the gum line is back up to it's original height up the tooth. it's slow, but you can't expect to grow 3 or 4 milimetres of gum in a couple of weeks!

Conventional mouthwashes do not contain Hyaluronan. they deal with killing bacteria and contain fluoride to strengthen the enamel from decay.

Gengigel is the only thing I've seen which deals with repairing the soft tissues in the mouth.

anon100022

@anon40769: Are you sure that you just didn't have staining along the gum line that has been brushed off? If you're sure it definitely was exposed dentine, can you think of anything you did with your diet around the time it started resolving? Thanks! --Honey

anon92349

I am only 22 and have pretty severe receding gum lines. My dentist says its from brushing too hard (I'd always tried to keep my teeth extremely clean/white, but I guess it was too much). I go to the dentist every six months and each time I get some sort of treatment where they "paint" over the sensitive part of the tooth.

I have also had the procedure of putting a permanent hard coating to "extend" my tooth enamel. Last time, they did a count of the gum thickness and it was some "2", but mostly "1" across the board. What does this all mean for me as far as tooth loss, etc.?

shaitzeeshan

i have problem in my lower jaw. is that due to smoking?

anon88881

I'm an acupuncturist and I had (past tense) severe receding gums on about 12 teeth, about three in each quadrant. I had gum grafting in the upper right. I left the others for a later time when I could afford it.

Since then, I've been doing acupuncture on my face. My gums have grown back. Amazing. I cannot see the roots of my teeth like I could. Also have a patient whose gums bleed daily and her dentist couldn't do anything about it. With acupuncture, the bleeding has stopped. Please give acupuncture a try.

anon85941

my front teeth are coming outside and made my smile very bad. i visited the dentist and he suggested me to replace them with artificial teeth. is it OK with artificial teeth?

anon85625

I have found in all my years that like any tissue, diet makes a huge difference.

Dentists in the US are not trained in seeing the bigger picture like diet at all. They can only see what they are taught.

Work healthy gums a bit by eating organic apples. Teeth that have toxic silver/ mercury removed from them are sensitive for a food long while, but this is better than having extremely toxic mercury in an acid environment in your digestive system and near your brain. This dental cover up is surely one for the records.

anon84705

if receding gums can lead to more tooth decay, why don't UK NHS dentists routinely give veneers and fillings at the baseline of the tooth?

anon83907

I'm 19 years old and I've already had three gum graft surgeries. I do not brush overly hard, use a soft toothbrush, have good oral hygiene, don't smoke, and my teeth are not misaligned as I've already had braces and my wisdom teeth are removed.

I still have about a millimeter of recession on most of my front teeth except for the ones with the grafts. I was hoping that there is some explanation for why my gums are receding so quickly at my age.

anon79632

I am 48, have taken good care of my teeth and yet still have a little gum recession. To those much younger than I, please make it a priority to get your teeth cleaned by a dentist or hygienist, floss, and try rinsing with some of the other remedies listed above.

Your gums can't heal without those steps and will get worse. And yes stop the dipping, chewing, and wearing tongue rings. Stress and a poor diet can be huge contributors to your dental problems, so make some changes. Get assistance!

If you can't afford it, get the phone book out and make some calls, be politely assertive and find out what resources are available in your community.

Please don't wait till you are my age because, like my grandmother when she was my age, you won't have any teeth left!

rams1320

It's called yuck mouth. Brushy brushy.

anon78231

i have periodontal disease and lost a lot of bone. I am having treatment for this with the dental hygienist where she cleaned all the pockets out. This was healing well and i continued without fail to floss and brush and use mouthwash twice a day but when i went back for her to check the gums she was shocked to see that they were all inflamed again and the pockets have gone back to how they where when i was first referred to her.

She was shocked because there was hardly any plaque around my teeth to cause this amount of bleeding. Please help me. I am at breaking point to why this is still happening when my dental hygiene is very good.

anon76912

I am 20 and have receding gums on my lower teeth from brushing too hard. I saw the dentist today and was told to brush with a softer brush, always in a circular motion,not horizontal strokes. Also, you should floss daily and rinse with a cap full of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1 cup water mixture vigorously for one minute after brushing and flossing to kill germs and reduce inflammation of the gums.

It is also important to get regular cleanings every six months to remove tarter build-up which leads to periodontitis.

anon76383

Vitiman C seems to help.

anon73971

I'm 14 years old and I have misaligned teeth, but I can't afford braces. My gums have also been bleeding a lot and now I think they might be receding a bit. I also can't afford to go to the dentist. What should I do to treat this on my own?

anon73652

I'm 15 and recently hit my mouth on something, but my tooth has curved in. I always brush twice a day and use mouthwash/floss throughout the day and recently looked and it seems that my gum on my front tooth where the other tooth turned in a little. It looks like my tooth is going to fall out.

anon72456

I'm 20 and my gums are receding due to my lactose intolerance which causes a loss of calcium making my teeth brittle and my gums recede, also the sensitivity. I brush twice a day and use mouthwash and floss, but it's not helping. I would be grateful of any help or tips. thanks

anon69466

I'm 24 and recently had a check up at the dentist. I was told the gum near two teeth was receding. He said i have a little bit of gum disease.

Since then I've been paranoid as i already have a bridge at the front which I'm already worried over.

i brush and floss and use mouthwash every day, but i seem to be getting a little bit of bluish gum at the back.

does anybody know anything that can help it? thanks.

anon69162

@27: I highly recommend you consult a dentist about it. You need to find a dentist in your area. Regular visits to the dentist (I go every six months and I'm only 20) are very important.

Try the yellow pages (I don't know what the equivalent is in America), look on the internet, hell, even ask your neighbours!

anon61472

I will be 59 this year. I moved and have not found a dentist in area for the past two years. I have noticed my gums are beginning to recede. I floss everyday and brush my teeth with a soft toothbrush twice a day. I also use Listerine mouthwash.

Whatever I do, it seems like it is not enough.

I recently noticed my front teeth are protruding out. Is there anything I can do or can a dentist to solve this problem of losing my front teeth?

zkc

anon55430

I have had my tongue pierced for a little over a year and I noticed about a month ago that on one of my lower teeth, my gum line was receding. So i took it out.

Now that is exposed and you can easily get an infection in the open tissue. This happened to me. And now its not cute at all. haha.

So just to let you know, if you start to notice a change in your gums you should take it out and pay special attention to your gums. Luckily I caught it in time and it will be fine.

anon51201

to anon 26814: Get a second opinion! long story short: i saved $3,200 dollars and 16 root canals, thanks to a second opinion. your dentist may be addicted to drugs or have a gambling debt or alimony.

anon49774

I am 27 years old. I have been having a problem with my gums as well. Well, not all of my gums. Just around the one bottom front tooth. I had braces when I was young for about three years and everything looks great, but this one tooth is like longer the the one next to it [you can't notice it] but i can. either that or its just like aligned wrong. I don't really know. Well that gum area is going all the way down. I don't know what to do. I feel like my tooth is going to come out or something. what can i do? please help me. any information on how to make this better would be extremely helpful.

anon45731

I am about to have braces fitted to straighten my teeth. I also have receding gums which I would like treated. Should I have this treatment undertaken first before I have the braces fitted?

anon45095

Receding gums can be due to multiple factors, bad oral hygiene, periodontal disease -- which yes can be caused by smoking, clenching/grinding teeth, and bite issues to list a few. It is best to speak to a dentist regarding your particular concern, diagnosing the cause and learning what you can do about it; what your options are. It is most important for long term tooth stability!

anon44986

I am 70, had four implants in my lower jaw two years ago due to lower gum loss and have worn dentures since my early teens. I find that my gum has receded dramatically and the more than half the implants are visible. I brush regularly with a electric toothbrush, and also brush the gums. What to do now? I find I am clenching my teeth and keep moving my top dentures with the lower ones. Can this problem be solved by bone density increase? how do I do that?

anon40769

I have to say this article isn't quite right. I had my receding gums grow back on their own after a few months. They were receding so much you could see the dentin and it was getting stained. Now all that is gone from every tooth. I did absolutely nothing to encourage or discourage it. Since it seems dental professionals (and I've visited many!) won't discuss this possibility with you, you should bring it up with them. I don't know how often it occurs but I am telling the truth that it happened for me!

anon37323

I am 16 years old and a few months ago I noticed my gum on one of my front bottom teeth was receding and my gums were bleeding for a long time before that but not a lot. and now my gums started bleeding in different parts of my mouth and the gum is still receding on that one tooth. i need braces really bad, but i'm afraid if i get braces that they will make my gums bleed more and my gums will still recede....

anon32942

do receded gums grow again by themselves? do gums recover the same way any cut recovers in the human body?

anon32083

I am only 15 years old, and I have recently noticed my bottom front teeth, along with my canines, appear as though they have receded and there is only about of millimeter or two left of the teeth not showing. I think this is due to the fact that my bottom front teeth are misaligned, and I fear that i may need braces. Will the braces reverse the effect of my receding gums or what will I have to do to reverse the effects?

nonanon

My dentist and orthodontist both recommended gently brushing my gums when I brush my teeth. I've found that brushing them in a downward motion seems to be slowly getting my gums to move back into their proper position over my teeth. It's very gradual but after a few months of this I'm pretty sure they're covering a bit more of my teeth than before. At the very least they've stopped receding and I'm less prone to them getting sore.

anon26814

I am a survivor of cancer, now 20 something years later I am discovering that I have receding gum lines from all of the chemo and radiation that I had and that it is one of the many late side effects of the treatment.

Every time I have gone to the dentist lately I have cavities, I am at a loss because I brush and floss and even use the prescription toothpaste with extra fluoride. Rather than help and give me suggestions, my dentist scolds me and doesn't seem to understand what I am going through.

Is there something else that I can do besides have major work done on my teeth?

anon25665

To "Proudmom" and other tongue ring posters:

I had a tongue ring piercing for many years. I switched earrings quite frequently- from the steel barbells, to the acrylic barbells, to the rubber barbells. No matter what type of earring you so choose (even a spacer just to keep the hole) the damage is inevitable. Your gums on the top and the bottom of your mouth will begin to erode. The most damaged spots will be on your gum line below your tongue, just touching your lower front teeth (this is where the barbell rests).

From normal talking and chewing, you are going to also start getting invisible-to-the-eye cracks in your teeth. I currently have a molar I will need to have capped because I accidentally bit my barbell, and cracked my tooth while eating.

Due to the character limit, I can't keep going, but believe me- it was one of my most favorite piercings. But, the damage it causes is inevitable and it costs a lot to fix. Please take my advice and don't learn the hard way.

anon20661

I have a problem with my gums which started a few days ago, it seems like my gums are receding away from my teeth, whenever I brush my teeth and the toothbrush touches the gums it hurts and bleeds, for some reason my smoking should be one of the causes. How can I prevent this from receding further? Or how can I treat it by myself?

neophyte2

Since treating receding gums requires regular cleaning, but without aggravating the gums, I have added fluoride enhanced mouth wash to my routine each night after brushing. A good way to reduce plaque, strengthen teeth, without additional brushing (which can be bad for teeth). Hasn't been long enough to see whether it is working, but can't hurt.

sabretooth13

So im 18 years old and i been dipping, which is not chewing tobacco, although its probably worse for your gums, but anyway, I've been dipping since i was 14 and i was driving today and i saw in the mirror that my gums were down like real bad. I really don't want to stop dipping but id rather keep my teeth. so how do i keep my teeth from receding further, do they grow back at all, and what happens if they recede all the way?

anon13023

to anon 7813&16; i went through the same problem with having silver fillings replaced. i think the problem is any time you drill a old filling out you risk getting closer to the nerve chamber i had to have a couple replaced and one was redone 4 times the last time a dentist covered the dentin with calcium hydroxide which stimulates dentin to form more dentin and then put the white filling over that and that solved the problem. he showed me a nerve ending that was poking through the thin wall of dentin which the other the other fillings where hitting the calcium hydroxide built up the dentin which covered the nerve that was 7 years ago and it is fine//going back to amalgam may not work.

ProudMom

I'm 22 years old. I've had an oral piercing (tongue ring) for over 5 years and i've noticed my gum line has begun to recede on the bottom half due to the constant touching and irritation of the barbell on my gums. I've taken the tongue ring out since i've noticed the damage. I'm very worried and kind of scared because i've learned of all the things that can happen due to gum recession such as tooth loss. It's only a slight recession of my gum line on the back of my bottom front teeth. i was wondering, will my gums continue to recede even though the piercing is out? Is there anyway to fix the slight damage that has already be done, and am i at risk of bone and teeth damage even though the damage appears to me slight?

anon7816

A few months ago I had my five old amalgam fillings replaced with white fillings. Two of them were very sensitive after replacement and I've had them both re-done again. The one is now okay but one of them is still feeling really sensitive when I eat and I am even in discomfort at other times. Other than going through the whole procedure yet again is there something I can use to ease the sensitivity? (I am already using a sensitive toothpaste and rub some directly on the filling at night before going to bed) I have even considered going back to an amalgam filling as I never had any trouble with it. Does anyone please have any suggestions?

anon7813

A few months ago I had my five old amalgam fillings replaced with white fillings. Two of them were very sensitive after replacement and I've had them both re-done again. The one is now okay but one of them is still feeling really sensitive when I eat and I am even in discomfort at other times. Other than going through the whole procedure yet again is there something I can use to ease the sensitivity? (I am already using a sensitive toothpaste and rub some directly on the filling at night before going to bed) I have even considered going back to an amalgam filling as I never had any trouble with it. Does anyone please have any suggestions?

anon7040

very useful article

somerset

In parts of the Mediterranean, where sage grows in the wild, the folk remedy for healthy gums is rubbing sage leaf over the gums. Supposedly that keeps them healthy.

anon5016

I have recently noticed that part of my lower gum has receded quite dramatically in a short period of time. I visited my dentist who took an x-ray and he wasn't at all worried about it, saying there was no inflammation and the bone around the tooth was healthy. In spite of all that I still feel concerned as the tooth by which the gum has receded is misaligned (inclining inwards) even after having worn braces for 18 months. It was the only tooth that didn't move much with the brace. I still have to wear retainers as I am in my 30's (I notice the teeth try to shift back if I don't). Could it be that the retainers are irritating the gum and causing it to recede? What advice (other than thorough oral hygiene, which I do already) could you offer me as I don't want the problem to get any worse or affect any other part of the gum.

Many thanks

anon4333

How does the golden seal help? And the hydrogen peroxide? I really need help with my receding gums. They are so painful and I don't have dental insurance right now! Please help!

anon427

I've successfully treated my gums for years. I use a handheld gum stimulator (available from a dentist), hydrogen peroxide and golden seal powder. After brushing and flossing, I put a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide in my mouth (being careful not to swallow it!). While the hydrogen peroxide is bubbling on my gums, I slowly drag the stimulator's rubber tip across my gums, especially in the narrow spaces between the gum and each tooth. After spitting and rinsing, I use a finger to apply a little golden seal powder to the gums, rubbing it in. Golden seal tastes bitter and can upset the stomach, so I try not to swallow any. I then go to bed and sleep with the golden seal in my mouth. The next morning, I rinse and brush, and my gums feel better. I hope this helps someone!

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