When it comes to preventing serious gum recession, diligent oral hygiene is critical. Ironically, many people overlook their gums and instead focus only on a bright white smile. But you can’t have a bright smile without healthy gums.
In fact, gum recession and related disease can result in tooth loss altogether and a host of additional serious issues. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Following a responsible oral health routine—from proper brushing and flossing to regular dental checkups—goes a long way in preventing and even reversing gum recession treatment.
Here are 5 proven oral care steps to minimize gum recession and maintain excellent overall health from head to toe.
Proper brushing with the right toothpaste
There is a right way to brush your teeth and doing so is key to having a healthy mouth and gums. Experts at the American Dental Association recommend following these brushing guidelines:
- Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles begin to fray
- Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle to the gums
- Move the toothbrush in short, circular strokes
- Press gently on your teeth
- Clean the insides of your front teeth by turning the brush vertically and making several short strokes along each tooth
The toothpaste aisle in your favorite store is loaded with a huge selection of toothpaste brands, including whitening paste and those containing baking soda. When selecting a brand and type, be sure it contains fluoride and displays the ADA seal of approval on the packaging.
Floss daily and rinse with care
Many people neglect daily flossing, but this is a very important component of thorough oral care. Flossing removes food and plaque from between your teeth and gums, which if left unchecked leads to tartar, the buildup of hard layers of bacteria that can only be removed by a dentist in Temecula.
Many people rinse their mouths out after brushing their teeth but doing so can wash away the fluoride in the toothpaste. On the other hand, rinsing your mouth out after eating provides the benefit of rinsing away bacteria that causes plaque and tartar. Remember that oral hygiene practices should complement the effectiveness of fluoride products, not hinder them.
Use mouthwash every day
According to the ADA, there are two types of mouthwash available over the counter: therapeutic and cosmetic. Therapeutic mouthwash helps prevent gum recession and disease, reduces the rate of tartar buildup, reduces the amount of plaque on your teeth, and removes food particles trapped between teeth and elsewhere in the mouth.
While mouthwash is very effective, do not use it as a replacement for brushing and flossing. When choosing a brand, look for the ADA seal indicating the manufacturer has demonstrated enough evidence to support the product’s safety and effectiveness. Keep in mind that children under the age of 6 years should not use mouthwash at all.
Get regular dental checkups
It might seem obvious, but regular dental checkups are extremely important. These checkups typically include professional cleaning of the mouth, which is the only way to remove tartar from the teeth. Professional cleaning also helps eliminate plaque missed when brushing.
During regular visits, a dentist can also help identify potential early signs of gum disease and gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums. Early detection is the best medicine in preventing more severe problems from occurring.
Stop smoking and maintain a healthy diet
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking weakens the immune system and makes a person highly susceptible to gum disease. The best advice? Stop smoking, and certainly don’t start the habit. Using other tobacco products can also increase a person’s risk of gum disease.
Diet also plays a big role. In fact, what you eat can directly affect the health of your teeth and gums. Some foods to consider incorporating into your diet include:
- High-fiber fruits and vegetables
- Black and green teas, help reduce bacteria
- Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt help increase saliva production
- Foods with lots of fluorides, including water, poultry, and seafood products
- Chewing sugar-free gum also helps increase saliva production
Always remember to avoid carbonated soft drinks with phosphoric and citric acids as well as sugar, excessive alcohol, sticky candy, and starchy foods.
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FAQs
Proper oral hygiene practices, such as brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, can go a long way in preventing and reversing gum disease. Additionally, using an antibacterial mouthwash can help kill bacteria that contribute to gum inflammation.
How to fix gum recession at home? ›
Below are some natural remedies that people can use alongside standard treatments for gum recession.
- Oil pulling. ...
- Herbal extracts. ...
- Antioxidants. ...
- Aloe vera gel. ...
- Septilin. ...
- Omega-3 fatty acids. ...
- Brushing and flossing.
Can I prevent gum recession?
- Brush your teeth thoroughly twice every day.
- Floss once daily.
- Use an antimicrobial mouthwash twice daily.
- Follow your dentist's recommendation for teeth cleanings. ...
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Don't smoke or use chewing tobacco.
Proper oral hygiene practices, such as brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, can go a long way in preventing and reversing gum disease. Additionally, using an antibacterial mouthwash can help kill bacteria that contribute to gum inflammation.
Can you push receding gums back? ›
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
Do gums grow back if cut? ›
If a fingertip is severed, it will need to be reattached through surgical methods. So, how do gums magically regrow themselves in 48 hours? The truth is, they don't. The gums cannot grow back once they recede.
How can I stimulate my gums to regenerate? ›
How Can You Rebuild Your Gums Naturally?
- Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is a popular age-long practice for removing plaques and other food particles from the mouth with natural oils. ...
- Salt Water. ...
- Eucalyptus Oil. ...
- Brushing Correctly. ...
- Peppermint Essential Oil. ...
- Green Tea. ...
- Flossing Regularly. ...
- Hydrogen Peroxide.
Corsodyl Toothpaste
Chlorhexidine is the active ingredient in Corsodyl, working as an antiseptic in your mouth. Various mouth conditions such as thrush, mouth ulcers, cleaning wisdom teeth, and improving gum disease, which results in gum recession, receive help from Corsodyl besides battling against receding gums.
What mouthwash is best for receding gums? ›
The Corsodyl mouthwash helps with bleeding gums as well as recession, and it prevents gum disease. It is the go-to brand for many people with gum recession. Corsodyl contains an active ingredient called chlorhexidine digluconate, an antiseptic that kills bacteria that aren't layered onto the teeth.
Can salt water tighten loose teeth? ›
Your dentist may suggest you rinse with salt water regularly to clear the bacteria from your mouth. This will hopefully let the bone and tissue mend, resulting in your tooth tightening back up after a few weeks. It is still recommended to discuss this with your dentist in case you need more urgent treatment.
Daily brushing and flossing. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing is still one of the best home remedies for good oral health. Removing plaque and disrupting bacteria that colonize the teeth and gums removes the primary cause of gum disease.
How to brush teeth with receding gums? ›
Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle along the line of the gums. Don't hold the brush flat against your teeth. This lets the brush skim the surface without getting into the crevices where bacteria and plaque hide.
Can 7mm gum pockets be reversed? ›
For deep pockets over 7mm, surgery may be needed. Pocket reduction surgery requires making small incisions in the gum to peel back the gum tissue. Deep cleaning is completed and any underlying bone loss is addressed. Finally, stitches are inserted.
Does salt water reduce gum pockets? ›
Saltwater rinses help with treating gum disease but are not capable of fixing the problem by themselves. You require help from a professional periodontist and maintain good oral hygiene habits if you intend to get over periodontal disease.
How to reverse 4mm gum pockets? ›
Periodontal pockets with a 4-5 mm depth can be conveniently treated with a professional dental cleaning and an aggressive at-home oral hygiene routine. Once the bacterial load reduces, it gives the gums a chance to heal and reattach with the tooth.
Can you fix receding gums naturally? ›
Receding gums won't grow back because gum tissue doesn't regenerate like many other tissues in the body. And while receding gums can increase your risk of tooth decay, they are often the sign of a more serious oral health condition.
Can gum recession heal on its own? ›
While your gums won't grow back on their own, surgical treatment can be used to replace the missing tissue, and restore both your appearance and your oral health. Gum grafting involves taking soft tissue from another part of the mouth and grafting it onto your gums.
What does hydrogen peroxide do to gums? ›
Plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria. Failure to remove this results in hardened tartar. Using hydrogen peroxide in caring for teeth and gums eliminates harmful bacteria. This cuts down the formation of plaque and tartar.
What gel helps your gums grow back? ›
Straumann Emdogain is an easy-to-apply, protein-based gel that is designed to promote predictable regeneration of lost periodontal hard and soft tissues caused by periodontitis, helping to save and preserve the tooth.
