Why are my gums receding, and should I be concerned if I can see my teeth underneath my gums?

Doctor's Answers 1

Gum recession can happen for a few reasons.

1. Aggressive brushing

Brushing vigorously can damage and push the gum which causes the root of the tooth to be exposed and in the long run, that will lead to tooth sensitivity.

2. Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)

Gum disease causes gum inflammation and if left untreated, it will lead to gum and bone loss.

3. Poor Oral Hygiene

Inadequate dental care which includes poor brushing habits, lack of using dental floss and infrequent visit to the dentist makes it easier for plaque to turn into calculus which requires professional cleaning by the dentist to remove it.

I would advise you to see a dentist for dental examination to find out the cause for your gum recession. Your dentist will be able to find out the cause of your gum recession and advise you on the next course of action to take to prevent your gum from further recession.

Similar Questions

How can I permanently get rid of aphthous ulcers in mouth?

If the diagnosis is indeed recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), there is, unfortunately, no permanent cure to it. RAS appears to represent an immunological reaction by the body to various causes such as stress, trauma, nutritional deficiencies, allergies, genetic predisposition etc. There are also certain medical conditions that may cause ‘aphthous-like’ ulcerations eg) anaemia, gastrointestinal diseases etc. Thus the treatment would generally be to first rule out any potential systemic causes for the recurrent ulcers before the diagnosis of RAS is made.

Photo of Dr Joanne Lam

Answered By

Dr Joanne Lam

Dentist

What OTC medications can I use for sharp gum pain?

Hi there! Yes of course you could get over the counter painkillers. Panadol is generally the cheapest and safest. The painkillers are able to help relieve pain except in extreme cases. That is when you know you have to urgently see a dentist to help you with it instead. Your pain may likely be due to: Sensitivity possibly from decay/ wear of the enamel surface Severe gum disease Nerve involvement possibly from decay Cracked tooth The above are only the common causes, there are many other possibilities, and thus it would be better to get it checked by a dentist early.

Photo of Dr Joanne Lam

Answered By

Dr Joanne Lam

Dentist

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox