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Receding gums are a condition that many dental patients face, and has been correlated with the accumulation of bacteria linked to a variety of larger health issues like diabetes, hypertension, and vulnerability to strokes.  Dr. Martin Abelar believes that understanding the causes of receding gums can help patients stop the problem at its source.

Sometimes gum recession is the result of overly aggressive brushing.  While the ADA recommends that all patients brush and floss at least twice a day, and ideally after every meal, brushing too hard or with a brush that’s bristles are too firm can cause irritation to the gums.

Gum recession can also be an early sign that a tooth is abnormally shaped or positioned, inhibiting the gums from growing to their normal position.  In such cases, Dr. Abelar recommends having a visual examination including dental x-rays to determine where the teeth are improperly aligned stunting the growth of the gum tissue, so that spacers or braces can be used to create room for the teeth and gums to grow in naturally.

Teeth grinding can be another cause of receding gums.  Signs that teeth grinding could be the cause of your receding gums include frequent migraines, head, neck or jaw pain upon waking up, and stiffness in the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint.  A variety of treatment options are available to treat TMJ disorders.