A receding gum line is not always noticeable at first. Dental habits such as grinding your teeth, aggressive brushing, or excessive use of alcohol-based mouthwashes can gradually chip away at your gums over time. A receding gum line can be the result of several different factors. Some of the most common include.
A medium to a stiff-bristled toothbrush (or even a heavy hand with a soft one) can be traumatic to delicate gum tissues. Over time, the gingiva gradually creeps away from the harsh scrubbing back and forth.
Gum disease is an infection that destroys the ligaments that connect your teeth to the gums and bone around them. When untreated, the gums slowly shrink away due to bacterial colonies underneath.
A tooth that is out of alignment with its partners may result in stretching or pulling of the gingiva, causing it to creep further down the root. “Lip ties” (tension in the labial frenulum that connects the anterior portion of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) are known to cause the same problem.
If stress seems to get to you, grinding your teeth can be a common side effect. As teeth microscopically flex in the mouth, enamel chips away along the gum line, contributing to recession.
Do you tend to bite your nails or use your teeth as tools? Everyday habits can lead to a cumulative effect on both your gums and teeth.
Delicate oral tissues are drastically affected by by-products such as cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Snuff, in particular, can cause severe gum recession in areas where users hold it throughout the day, even if you make a habit to rotate them.
