How to Prevent Receding Gums in Harrisonburg & Winchester, VA

Along with bad breath and gum pain, gum recession is often the result of a larger issue such as infection or misalignment. However, it is also fairly easy to prevent in many cases. Patients of Shenandoah Valley Implant Institute can follow these steps to avoid receding gums:

• Practice Good Oral Hygiene
• Eat Healthy
• Avoid Oral Piercings
• Monitor Changes in Your Mouth
• Maintain Regular Exams and Cleanings

Since gum recession occurs so gradually, most people do not even realize they have receding gums until they can see the gaps or experience extreme tooth sensitivity. If your teeth appear longer than normal, it may be because the gums are pulled back and you can feel a notch or a small dent around the gum line. If you are noticing signs of gum recession, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. 

Practice Good Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent infection. By brushing and flossing every day, you can easily prevent plaque and bacteria from building up. However, be sure not to brush too hard as this can also damage tissue and cause gum pain. Using an electric toothbrush at least twice a day and flossing daily is a great way to stay healthy.

Eat Healthy

Avoiding foods that contain a lot of sugar or have been heavily processed can help reduce the effects of tooth decay. Teeth are at a higher risk of decay when gum recession has occurred. Maintaining a healthy diet is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Avoid Oral Piercings

Piercings in the tongue or lip often cause irritation and gum pain. Avoiding such piercings helps to keep your gums healthy and prevent recession.

Monitor Changes in Your Mouth

Problems such as grinding your teeth or misalignment can place a lot of stress on certain teeth or areas of the gums. Eventually, you may start to notice gum pain or recession occurring. Keeping an eye out for these issues and monitoring any other changes in your mouth can go a long way in preventing gum recession.

Maintain Regular Cleanings and Exams

Plaque and bacteria can get trapped below the gum line where your toothbrush and floss cannot reach. Here, plaque can quickly harden into calculus and cause inflammation and gum pain. The only way to remove calculus deposits is to undergo a professional cleaning procedure.

When the gums begin to recede, they will not grow back on their own. Patients who are experiencing receding gums in Staunton and Leesburg, VA are encouraged to contact Shenandoah Valley Implant Institute and schedule a consultation today!