Gum shrinkage

[Tanya L]

Hello

I was brushing my teeth this morning and I noticed that my teeth were very sensitive. My teeth have always been a little sensitive but now my gum's seems to be shrinking back.

I have read that gum recession can eventually make the teeth loose and one by one I might loose my teeth if this gum shrinkage continues. So I am really now worried about my gums because I am only 29 years old and want to avoid dentures for as long as possible.

Is there any treatment that could reverse my gum shrinkage and maybe take it back to how it was a few years ago? Is there anything that I am eating or doing to my gum's that is damaging them?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

There are in general 2 reasons for gum to recede or as you put it shrink. One is the natural process of aging which I am afraid no one can stop (but you are too young for it) or very hard and vigorous brushing and hence the sensitivity. I can assure you that it is also very unusual to lose teeth due to either of these causes.
However there is the possibility of losing teeth in people that suffer from uncontrolled and unstable gum or otherwise known more accurately as periodontal disease. Here there is loss of bony support around the root of the teeth and can be associated with receded gum or gingivae. In any case you need to come and see us and have your teeth and gum clinically assessed and we would be happy to do it for you.