Can't stop thinking about receding gums, I'm terrified - any advice? - Photos inc

[Fauna21]

I hope this is ok posting here, I couldn't see a dental section. Since finishing orthodontic work I noticed my gums had receded slightly and this seems to be getting worse. The orthodontic work was completed just over 3 years ago now for something I was very self-conscious about but now I feel even worse with what I'm left with and notice it everyday, nothing I do helps.

I'm terrified as I'm late-twenties and I think about it everyday . Since my brace was removed, I have noticed I wake up with a dry mouth and occasionally bite my tongue in my sleep. I use an electric oral-b toothbrush with cross action heads (sensitive heads didn't remove any plaque), teepees and floss - all daily. I usually see the dentist twice a year and until this year, the hygienist 3 times a year for stain removal that has occurred since treatment but the dentist suggested reducing this in case it is impacting my gums.

My dentist also suggested using coconut oil after brushing but this hasn't helped. I could go back to the manual toothbrush but I'm afraid I could be too harsh on my gums and find the electric helpful. Does anyone have any advice please? (Sorry for the photos) I'm not sure who else I could turn to and I'm desperate as it's having such an impact on me.

Op thats very minimal recession. Some recession is perfectly normal following orthodontic work and as we get older and that level of recession is barely visible, certainly not more than I would expect of someone in their late 20s

Why are you terrified? Nothing is going to happen because you have a bit of recession.

Recession is either caused by age or traumatic brushing technique, a sensitive toothbrush head will remove plaque, plaque is very soft it just needs to be gently swept away. Make sure your toothbrush has a pressure sensor, get your hygenist to demonstrate proper atraumatic brushing technique. You could switch to a soft headed manual like curaprox which wont cause any trauma

Oil pulling is total bs and Im not sure why your dentist suggested it. There are sugeries that can be done to improve recession but you arent going to get a better result than you already have

Also I would try switching to just floss, if you have healthy gums (i.e. no gum disease) then tepes can be traumatic, normal floss will do the job.

But basically your gums are absolutely fine

@DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon

Op thats very minimal recession. Some recession is perfectly normal following orthodontic work and as we get older and that level of recession is barely visible, certainly not more than I would expect of someone in their late 20s

Why are you terrified? Nothing is going to happen because you have a bit of recession.

Recession is either caused by age or traumatic brushing technique, a sensitive toothbrush head will remove plaque, plaque is very soft it just needs to be gently swept away. Make sure your toothbrush has a pressure sensor, get your hygenist to demonstrate proper atraumatic brushing technique. You could switch to a soft headed manual like curaprox which wont cause any trauma

Oil pulling is total bs and Im not sure why your dentist suggested it. There are sugeries that can be done to improve recession but you arent going to get a better result than you already have

@DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon Thank you for your reply. I don't want it to get any worse as my gums are also red and puffy. I've seen what can happen if it progresses and I can't see any of my friends have similar problems with it. I did try the sensitive heads but it definitely didn't remove all the plaque, I could see it so I removed it and the little red dots appeared around my gum line. My toothbrush has a pressure sensor and I will ask my hygienist about what you suggest. I just wonder if a vitamin deficiency play a part in this as my gums never seem to be pink? I might try a supplement as well but I'm not sure where to start.

I wouldn't even notice they'd receded. It's really not a problem though. My sister had it awfully in her early 20's (ten years ago) She had a small procedure where they injected pig fat in to her gums! It was quite new at the time so lots of dental students watched. They've looked perfect ever since

Your gums look pretty much normal in those shots.

BTW Teepee brushes are supposed to be far superior to floss- that' s what my hygienist told me and I'm decades older than you with more gum recession.

Your gums dont look red or puffy in the photos. Has your dentist mentioned that to you? I would be suprised if you had enough plaque to be visible if you brush your teeth twice a day, did you use disclosing tablets?

Recession is different to gum disease. Gum disease is inflammation of gums caused by plaque, leading to inflammation of the bone, bone loss and tooth loss. Recession is not a disease progress, it wont cause you to lose your teeth.

A vitamin deficiency is unlikely to cause recession. Regardless though you dont really have recession

A water oil water flosser will really keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy.

@DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon I don't think what you wrote is correct. Gum recession (and shrinkage) occurs with gum disease - gingivitis. This has various stages - mild and severe. What happens is that eventually the gums recede so much (and are inflamed) that pockets occur (I have 2 pockets on back molars). Pockets are gaps between the tooth and gum where the gum has receded.
If left untreated and allowed to be more inflamed (gums bleed), the pockets get deeper so in time the tooth loses its support and can fall out.

Just read what I wrote and see spellcheck gremlins have sabotaged my suggestion

It's Waterpik

https://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/products/dental-water-flosser/WP-670/

I agree with other posters, your gums look fine to me. I often stress about receding gums but I think yours don’t look a problem at all.

OP, hope you don't mind me posting on here. I've receding gums for many years but apart from cleanings by the hygienist no treatments were offered.

I just have a look on the NHS dental page and it says free gingival grafts is offered at Band 2 for £62.10. Does anyone know anything about this? Can we get gum grafts on the NHS for this price? I thought it costs more than this.

@JinglingHellsBells it is correct. Im a dentist.

Whilst you can get recession with gum disease this normally occurs after treatment, recession does not equal gum disease.

With gum disease you get inflammation of the gums due to plaque - the gums become red, puffy and bleed. You get attachment loss - which is loss of the ligament holding the gum to the tooth which forms pockets, at this stage there is still the same amount of gum. Plaque gets trapped in the pockets and you get an inflammatory process leading to bone loss and eventual tooth loss.

Recession is when the gum around the tooth is lost revealing more tooth, this happens with age but can be due to traumatic brushing technique or someones anatomy can make them more prone. When dentists talk about recession they arent talking about gingivitis. Op does not have gingivitis she has recession, you dont lose your teeth becauae of recession you lose them because of gum disease.

[quote DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon]@JinglingHellsBells it is correct. Im a dentist.

Whilst you can get recession with gum disease this normally occurs after treatment, recession does not equal gum disease.

With gum disease you get inflammation of the gums due to plaque - the gums become red, puffy and bleed. You get attachment loss - which is loss of the ligament holding the gum to the tooth which forms pockets, at this stage there is still the same amount of gum. Plaque gets trapped in the pockets and you get an inflammatory process leading to bone loss and eventual tooth loss.

Recession is when the gum around the tooth is lost revealing more tooth, this happens with age but can be due to traumatic brushing technique or someones anatomy can make them more prone. When dentists talk about recession they arent talking about gingivitis. Op does not have gingivitis she has recession, you dont lose your teeth becauae of recession you lose them because of gum disease.[/quote]
I have exactly this, gum recession caused by over zealous brushing in my 20s. Quite bad in places. Switched to an electric toothbrush and had a few visits with the hygienist and they have not become any worse for over 10 years. I have also had Invisalign braces which did not make it worse. I brush and floss religiously and touch wood all is well (although we are well overdue our check up thanks to Covid)

well overdue our check up

Disclosing tablets are easy enough to come by from any chemist they will show up any plaque old and new attached to you teeth.

Do you think electric toothbrush is OK to use if you have receding gums? Some say to brush the gums but some say to avoid. So is it necessary to brush the gums as well as teeth? I had an appointment with the hygienist yesterday but forgot to ask questions.

@DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon
My Dentist hasn't mentioned it, my Orthodontist has and said they should really be pink, like the rest of my gums. I've noticed it and it's definitely more obvious since my orthodontic work. I've tried to take another photo but it makes me nervous to see, especially as the lower left incisor didn't look like that a couple of years ago and I really don't like them.
I have tried to follow their guidance with brushing technique but the redness never seems to go, the attachment loss which you've described is my biggest fear but I honestly don't know what else to do.

I think you are over fixating on your teeth and gums

Your gums look absolutely fine .

But can I advise that you use a soft toothbrush and don't over brush your teeth as this can cause gum recession in itself .

Another dentist backing up @DishRanAwayWithTheSpoon. Great advice

I don’t think they’re really that bad at all!