Gum recession or receding gums also known as gingivitis or gingival recession is a condition that is common with adults that are over 40 years of age.

Nevertheless, warning signs of this condition can be observed in younger people (e.g. teens). Now the condition itself actually refers to a situation where the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth is pulled away or lost, revealing the teeth’s roots.

You see the gums plus the periodontal ligament (periodontal connective tissue) in a mouth that is healthy surround as well as provide support for the teeth in the jawbone. And receding gums often involves a meaningful loss of these tissues that protect your teeth. What happens is that the gum line recedes in the direction of the root exposing a greater part of a tooth to the immediate environment of the mouth.

Gum recession happens as a result of gum tissue damage. The two most common causes of this condition are gingivitis / periodontitis and improper or excessive tooth brushing, or both. First, gingivitis / periodontitis; gingivitis also known as gum inflammation often precedes periodontitis, which is also known as gum disease. Now disease in the gum is the major cause of gum recession. And this happens due to improper oral hygiene.

Another cause of gum recession that is worth mentioning here is improper tooth brushing. Aggressive tooth brushing, not brushing or flossing the right way can destroy the light gum tissue of the mouth making this to inadvertently break down. To avoid this, do not apply too much pressure on your tooth brush while cleaning your teeth or mouth. As this can bring harm to your gingival tissue without necessarily increasing the cleaning of your mouth.

An immediate consequence of gum recession involves aesthetics as one may not be willing to show off a toothy smile since one’s gum is receding. This is why it is important that once the onset of gum recession is noticed, one should make every effort to correct this condition. Symptoms such as gum inflammation (red and swollen) must be taken seriously as this as noted earlier may result into periodontitis or gum disease.

Besides this, another consequence of gum recession to the mouth is the fact that one may lose his/her tooth or teeth as the case may be. For example, gum recession will ultimately cause the roots of the mouth to be exposed, providing less support for the teeth that may eventually fall off. In addition, the gum line receding can equally lead to jaw bone destruction, meaning that the teeth will provide less support for them too

The first step that should be taken in the treatment of gum recession should involve eliminating the underlying cause or causes of this condition. Practicing adequate oral or mouth hygiene should suffice in most cases caused by inadequate tooth brushing or gum disease. If the problem is more advanced then further treatment might be required. With respect to this, depending on severity surgical treatment or non-surgical treatment may be required.

Lastly, prevention they say is better than cure. If you do not have gum recession, then it is wise that you do the things that will not make you have it. These include: brushing your teeth twice daily, making use of a good soft toothbrush without applying too much pressure on it while brushing among others.