Receding Gums

[absolutehush]

I've noticed that the gum on my upper teeth is receding... in particular on one tooth that is already quite sensitive.

I will make a dentist appointment tomorrow when they're open but is there any hope it will get better and is there anything I should do/take to help the gums heal in the meantime?

Thanks! I'm quite upset about it!

P.S. I couldn't find a dentistry topic...

Hi there

I’m not sure if there is anything that could be done but I’m hoping so as I have this with one of mine.

I’m surprised that there isn’t a dentistry topic, I have looked myself too.

Buy some corsydol toothpaste and use it twice a day, rinse regularily with salt water, dentist can do a good clean which will help

If it's sensitive then Sensodyne toothpaste is quite good for taking away the sensitivity. But it's not a cure. Certainly see your dentist and take their advice. They might recommend those little interdent brushes or swap to electric toothbrush. Ask. And agree with good clean and scrape at the dentist.

I asked my dentist about this when I last went and she just said to make sure I brushed my gums gently.

Soft toothbrush, Sensodyne rapid relief, brushing in circles one tooth at a time, flossing all help, in the sense that they prevent it geting inflamed and deteriorating faster. But it's not really reversible. Sorry.

Receding gums are caused by gum disease, simple as that. If you have a little bit of recession on only one tooth, for example the upper canine on the left side, you may just be being a bit vigorous brushing. If you have any bleeding or general recession it is gum disease which can be improved by meticulous hygiene, brushing flossing and interdental brushes. Start with the dentist who will tell you what the situation is, then scale and polish preferably by a hygienist prob every 3 months and instruction how to daily maintain. Exposed sensitive roots can be sealed by a dentist. Sensodyne and corsodyl can be helpful also. If its gum disease it is a long haul, but with lots of work can be managed

Mine was over vigorous brushing in an attemp to be super hygienic. I switched to an electric toothbrush that shows a light when I'm brushing to hard.

I caused gum recession over one tooth on the right in my twenties with over zealous brushing. I had it filled with a white filling on the top and that stopped the sensitivity. Obviously still looks a bit odd if you stare closely at my teeth.

I think you need a hygienist appointment and ask if you have any active gum disease. If it's down to brushing alone then you need a soft brush attachment on an electric toothbrush and you need to go up and down or small circles. If the gum recession was particularly noticeable there is a procedure where they snip the gum right at the top of your mouth, let the gum drop down and then do a tissue graft. Other than that gums don't grow back sadly, once they're gone, they're gone 😔

Mine are quite bad all along the bottom. Dentist said it isn't caused by gum disease, just one of those things. It can't be cured but good hygiene should stop it getting worse.

I brushed too hard for years and it caused my gums to recede. Nothing whatsoever to do with gum disease - it stabilised when I bought a soft toothbrush and started brushing more gently and less often. You need advice from a dentist as only they can diagnose why it's happening and what to do about it! I was told some people naturally have beefier gums and others more fragile gums. There is a strong link between joint hypermobility and thin, fragile gums.

Thanks everyone!

I've bought a new soft toothbrush and some corsodyl until my appointment next week. I think it's over brushing rather than disease but have made an appointment to check

I have receding gums on a couple of teeth. My dentist tells me it's because of my jaw alignment and pressure from my back teeth being clamped together at night. I have a guard to wear at night but it's taking some getting used to. Nothing to do with gum disease.

I have this too and this I have had it for a while. The tooth that it is happening on is one that grew very wonky initially and was put into line by a brace so I think the gum was a bit higher anyway but I think it's getting worse. I also feel there might be recession on other front teeth that has happened gradually as my teeth seem slightly gappier at the top.

The dentist didn't seem to think it was gum disease so it is not always that, he just said to use a soft brush. However using a soft brush and restricting my brushing to twice a day (used to brush more!) is not helping and I feel it is getting sore which it wasn't before. Am seeing the hygienist soon so will check again with her.

I have been diagnosed with LPR so I am wondering if I have more acid in my mouth than normal too, I have jaw issues, a permanent retainer behind by front teeth, I think my gums are thin anyway, and another weird problem with my palate - none of which are probably helping matters. I keep asking if the permanent retainer is OK and they all say it is fine and there are no issues with hygiene because of it!

Am getting paranoid about it but luckily the tops of my teeth aren't particularly visible so it is not easy for others to see. Really worried my teeth are all going to drop out though! I have had xrays recently and no one noticed anything wrong (apart from impacted wisdom teeth) that no one wants to remove!

Had this problem a few years ago. I think I was brushing to enthusiastically. I switched to an electric toothbrush (Oral B) and my gums sorted themselves out.