Receding gums are not necessarily a part of the aging process

Many people assume that receding gums are a sign of aging. While older individuals do tend to have more root exposure, gum recession is often tied to other very specific issues unrelated to age. Things like grinding or clenching your teeth, brushing improperly, plaque, and thin gum tissue are the primary causes of recession. By addressing these issues, you can prevent and even correct receding gums. Some of these problems can even be identified in childhood, when intervention can prevent recession from even happening. If you notice that your gums are receding in yourself or a child, evaluation by a periodontist as soon as possible is the best way to prevent or correct this problem before it becomes a major issue that ruins your smile or leads to tooth loss.