Receding Gums In Your 20s
Receding gums in your 20s
Gum recession, a condition where the gums pull away from the teeth, affects millions of Americans yearly. Because most recession sufferers are older, most people don’t realize that younger people are also susceptible to the same type of gum problem.
Receding gums in your 20s
Gum recession occurs incrementally over time. As a result, most people only notice it once they have a significant gum problem. Because young people don’t expect gum recession until much later in their lives, they tend to wait even longer than others before seeking professional treatment.
Young people typically notice they have a problem when their teeth look or feel different than they have in the past. Gum recession makes teeth appear longer and can often create chronic tooth sensitivity.
Causes of gum recession in your 20s
• Gum disease: Gum disease is the most common cause of gum loss for patients in their 20s. It is caused by plaque buildup on the teeth and below the gumline. Over time, the plaque hardens, leading to a gum infection that damages the gum tissue.
• Genetics: Some people are simply predisposed to gum recession. For those who are, you should follow a disciplined dental hygiene routine to prevent further damage.
• Aggressive brushing: It’s important to use proper technique when brushing your teeth. Some people apply too much pressure or use a toothbrush that is not soft enough. If you aren’t careful, aggressive brushing can damage the tissue and lead to gum recession.
• Teeth grinding: Grinding your teeth at night can create several dental problems, including gum recession. While a retainer can prevent further damage, periodontal treatment is often required to repair the gum recession that has already occurred.
• Tobacco: Smoking and snuff / chewing tobacco increase the risk of gum disease and gum recession. While we understand quitting is extremely difficult, we recommend you start the process now by cutting back your use or pursuing tobacco alternatives.
Tips for preventing gum recession
Use proper brushing technique: Make sure to apply light pressure and use a soft-bristled brush. Additionally, angle the brush 45 degrees towards the gum tissue to remove plaque below the gumline.
• Floss regularly: While it may seem tedious, flossing contributes significantly to gum health. You can prevent a great deal of future damage simply by adding flossing to your daily routine.
• Keep up with regular periodontal cleanings: Periodontal cleanings remove the plaque below the gumline in areas you can’t reach with brushing and flossing alone. We recommend scheduling periodontal cleanings every 3-6 months.
• Wear a retainer or mouth guard: Retainers and mouth guards prevent you from grinding your teeth, a common contributor to gum recession.
• Keep stress to a minimum: Excess stress weakens the immune system and slows down the healing process. By limiting stress in your daily life, you can improve your gum health and your overall health as well.
Gum recession treatment options
After a thorough diagnosis, your periodontist should recommend a treatment plan that is tailored to your symptoms and personal preferences. The most common treatment options are:
• Gum grafting: You may be a good candidate for a gum graft if your recession is caused by something other than gum disease. During the gum graft procedure, we take a small amount of soft tissue from the roof of your mouth or from the surrounding gum tissue and place it over the area where your gum tissue has been lost or damaged.
• LANAP laser treatment: The LANAP laser procedure is an excellent treatment for gum disease. It is a minimally invasive procedure that kills bacteria and helps stimulate gum healing. Recent evidence also suggests that LANAP stimulates bone growth in areas where the bone has decayed as a result of gum disease.
• Root planing: Root planing is similar to LANAP but employs traditional periodontal techniques instead of laser technology. By cleaning below the gumline, we remove the plaque and tartar that cause irritation and infection.
• Gum Disease Surgery: In severe cases, gum disease surgery may be required. Although it is rarely necessary for someone in their 20s, traditional gum surgery is often the recommended treatment for people with severe gum disease.
We can help you through this
Our team of periodontal experts believes in open communication, transparent pricing, and compassionate care and has been helping patients solve their gum problems for over 30 years.
We understand it is stressful to discover that you have receding gums in your 20s. But we can help you through it. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.