Receding Gum Lines

Many people of both sexes are concerned that, with age, their hair lines will recede leaving their hair thin and their scalp bare to the world. What many don't realize is that the gums are also capable of receding. While a receding hair line might be damaging to one's appearance or confidence, a receding gum line is a serious condition that affects the teeth and can have a negative impact on health.

In many people's minds, receding gum lines are associated with old age. In actuality, the issue is equally as capable of affecting the young as the old. It affects almost all age groups as it is usually caused by periodontal disease and poor dental hygiene. As these things can affect any age group, so too can a receding gum line.

Diseases that affect or involve the gum tissue are the most common causes of receding gum lines. Periodontal disease is a form of a bacterial infection that targets the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. This disease causes the gums to begin to recede which then leads to destruction of the bone supporting the teeth and beneath the gums.

While disease is the most common, or main, cause of receding gum lines, it is also thought that aggressive brushing habits contribute to the problem. When a person brushes too aggressively, the gums are not happy because it is a painful experience for them, even if the person's mouth doesn't register pain. As such is the case, they start pulling away in an effort to get away from the painful toothbrush.

Another problem that could be tied to receding gum lines is tooth grinding. People who have problems grinding their teeth while they sleep have been known to have gum lines that have pulled back from their original location. 

Aggressive brushing may, when it is too aggressive, cause the gums to recede but it is still the best form of defense against the problem. Poor dental hygiene will lead to recession of the tissues. 

In people who have good oral hygiene but still receding gums, a receding gum line is one of the few early warning signs of oral diseases. An individual might not be completely aware of periodontal disease until it is too late to do anything about it. Other early warnings include noticeably puffy or bleeding gums. This disease not only leads to problems of the gums but also to unsightly and painful tooth decay in the tissues surrounding the teeth.

Article Source:  EzineArticles