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Original poster

My gums are receding

26 replies

TooOldForSims · 26/05/2020 15:13

And I haven't got a clue why Confused.

For context, I am only 29 and whilst I went through a short phase of brushing my teeth way too hard as a teenager when I had braces, I do not brush hard now nor have I done so for years.

Do I need to see a dentist now or can it wait? I was planning on waiting as I didn't think it was urgent but of course I have only gone and scared myself by Googling it and apparently if they are left untreated then they'll probably just receded further and my teeth will fall out...

OP posts:
slipperywhensparticus · 26/05/2020 15:15

See a dentist I'm losing mine because of this

Original poster
TooOldForSims · 26/05/2020 15:22

I'm not entirely sure they will see me at the moment but I will give them a try.

OP posts:
Sukhwinder · 26/05/2020 15:26

Dentists in England aren’t seeing patients face to face as they are not allowed for the moment. When they do reopen they are likely to be busy clearing the backlog of emergencies. If you are at a private practice you might be seen sooner.

Unfortunately some people have genetically thinner gums than others, and they can recede more quickly. Especially around the lower incisors. Braces can sometimes exacerbate this.

It is only a sign of disease if the gums look puffy/ red/ bleed when brushing. When you are able to your dentist can also do a pocketing year to make sure you do not have gum disease.

In the meantime make sure you brush in the correct way, with a soft or medium bristled toothbrush, or an electric toothbrush with sensitive gums brush head. Circular motions with a manual tb, no scrubbing or aggressive back and forth. Floss and/ or tepe.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dental health General health
Sukhwinder · 26/05/2020 15:27

*pocketing test

LaughingDonkey · 26/05/2020 15:30

I have had this problem and turns out I was brushing too hard. I have bought electric toothbrush with pressure sensor. No problems since and as added bonus - scaling and polishing is needed once in 1 a year! instead of regular 2 Grin

www.boots.com/oral-b-pro-2000-pink-rechargeable-electric-toothbrush-10182233?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs--(GB:Whoop!)+Oral+B-_-(GB:Whoop!)+Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Electrical+Beauty+-+Desktop&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn9jZkt7R6QIVU-3tCh1bsQOnEAQYAyABEgIjxvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

choosesoap · 26/05/2020 15:31

I was told it was a mix of brushing too hard but also just genetics and aging

Dangermouse80 · 26/05/2020 15:32

Realised I have the same problem yesterday. Thought I had a mouth ulcer and was shocked to see that my gum line has dropped and one tooth looks huge.
I'm late 30's and never had any issues before. From googling I'm heading out to buy medicinal mouth wash and keeping a careful watch on it till I see the dentist next.

sarahC40 · 26/05/2020 15:33

Try corsodyl mouthwash twice a day - I had this problem beginning of lockdown and this stuff has stopped the bleeding and everything feels much healthier and cleaner.

Sukhwinder · 26/05/2020 15:35

Corosodyl will not help with recession. It just masks the symptoms of gingivitis. Also it will stain your teeth if you use full strength corsodyl twice a day

Original poster
TooOldForSims · 26/05/2020 15:38

How do you actually know if you are brushing too hard? I mean, I'm pretty sure I don't but this whole thing has started to make me doubt myself. I'm going to get that toothbrush that LaughingDonkey has posted a link to.

OP posts:
Pinkginhelps · 26/05/2020 15:38

Floss with teepee sticks. Brush very gently with ultra soft brush always away from, never towards gums. Brush 2x daily. Use corsodyl. No drugs or cigarettes.
Receding gums will encourage pockets sensitivity and loose teeth which will move in socket or worst case scenario, fall out.
Take the 5 minutes twice a day to avoid this....

Original poster
TooOldForSims · 26/05/2020 15:39

I'm late 30's and never had any issues before.

Me neither. I have always had healthy teeth which I think is also why I am panicking a bit.

OP posts:
Original poster
TooOldForSims · 26/05/2020 15:41

worst case scenario, fall out.

Sad

How likely is that?

OP posts:
Sukhwinder · 26/05/2020 15:44

It takes years of unchecked gum disease (which this may not be) before teeth fall out! Normally we see it in patients over 40, not in those who are 29!

Sukhwinder · 26/05/2020 15:47

You might not even have gum disease. It could be a genetically thin biotype.

LaughingDonkey · 26/05/2020 15:58

That is the thing - we can't really feel how hard or light we brush with regular toothbrush!

It was hygienist who insisted I get a brush with pressure sensors. She took a fake jaw with teeth and showed me how to use it properly! ''Divide'' your teeth in 4 sections, each section 15 seconds times two for both sides of brushing. Place the head at 45 degree angle and slowly move from front to back.

Original poster
TooOldForSims · 26/05/2020 16:43

Just ordered myself one of those electric toothbrushes.

OP posts:
LazyDaisy10 · 27/05/2020 08:11

I have this, one dentist said they were terrible and will fall out!! I went to a different dentist, he gave me a big clean and recommended a Colgate electic toothbrush. Make sure you brush your gums as well as your teeth, I'm not sure I wasBlush I also use a water flosser now and tepe sticks, you can buy a mixed size bag, if your gums are receding the gaps will be different sizes so different brushes will fit. I went back 3 months ago for a clean and he said they were good and none were wobbling which was my main concern.

LazyDaisy10 · 27/05/2020 08:12

Also stop googling!! I drove myself crazy and was so worried I started imaging I could feel them movingConfused

hamstersarse · 27/05/2020 08:13

Stop eating junk food and sugar, and brush properly

Sukhwinder · 27/05/2020 08:41

Junk food and sugar will have no effect on the gums.

Also again, you have recession it’s doesn’t mean you have gum disease. Recession can just be an aesthetic issue, it doesn’t mean your teeth will fall out.

Don’t listen to random advice from people who aren’t dentists

hamstersarse · 27/05/2020 11:15

Gum disease and diet are intimately related.

www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/gum-disease

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3228943/

Have consistently raised blood sugar (not necessarily T2) and your gums will suffer 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
TooOldForSims · 27/05/2020 11:51

I actually don't eat much sugar or junk food Grin.

I actually don't have any other symptoms of gum disease so I think Sukhwinder is right and it is probably just a aesthetic issue.

OP posts:
Sukhwinder · 27/05/2020 12:17

@hamstersarse yes. Diabetes is linked to gum disease very closely that is a separate issue. That is because of the reduced ability to deal with infection/ difference in your body’s inflammatory response and because of the prolonged high blood sugar as the receptors in your pancreas have become desensitised and aren’t as effective. There are other links between diabetes and periodontal disease as well that are too complex for a forum like this.

Eating a bit of sugar a couple of times a day in the way you are describing is not going to make your blood sugar raised enough for long enough to measurably effect your gums.

Eating a bit of sugar a few times a day will however cause tooth decay, so I would recommend low frequency of sugar intake anyway to my patients.

Sukhwinder · 27/05/2020 12:31

Sorry obviously I am not trying to be offensive or argumentative at all. I think it is just a bit better to listen to a dentist rather than google searches/ anecdotal advice x