Receding gums won’t grow back, how can I keep them in place?

This is true and a dentist can tell you that after gums have started receding, there is no way they will get back to their healthy form without treatment. As pleasant as it may be to have the soft tissues get back into their initial position after practicing good oral hygiene, the harsh reality is they are not going to. Instead, you have to devise a treatment plan with a dentist which often includes a surgical procedure to place new tissue over the receded gum areas.

Prevention is key! Often, the most important thing to do about receding gums is to ensure that they remain firmly in place so that they don't pull back. Gum recession, at times, can arise from aging, but other things could also cause receding gums such as smoking, lack of proper oral hygiene and brushing with a hard bristled toothbrush. If you want to ensure the gums are firm in their position, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush that gently cleans the teeth. Hard bristled toothbrushes can damage and irritate the gums, often causing them to start pulling back.

When flossing, make sure that you use the correct technique in order to avoid damaging the gums. If you grind your teeth, wear a mouthguard at night to protect your teeth, and if you smoke, quit the habit. It is also important that you avoid using your teeth as a tool to open packages because the odds of damaging the gums while doing this are high. Ensure you rinse your mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash formulated to combat gum disease.

Another cause of recession of the gums is improper placement of teeth, for example, dental crowding. If your teeth are crowded you will apply too much pressure on certain teeth while chewing with result in receding gums. Invisalign treatment is recommended to correct malocclusion, or improper placement of teeth. 

And seeing your dentist every six months is crucial because you need regular checkups and cleanings. Click here to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning appointment at Shine DDS in Bensonhurst Brooklyn.

Scheduling regular professional dental cleanings is one way to improve your oral health. The procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your dental health. It is usually done to achieve healthy teeth and gums. At our clinic, we will first examine your gums and teeth to ensure you have no problems. We will then use a small device known as a scaler to remove any plaque build-up that may be in between your teeth and at the sides of the gums.

After that, we will polish and floss your teeth and finally apply fluoride to strengthen and keep your teeth clean. After the procedure, you should expect some mild sensitivity, but it will soon disappear.

Call our dental clinic today to book your next dental cleaning procedure!

Author

Evelyn Shine Dentist