Why does my Gum Recede?

     There are many reasons why a person may experience receding gums, some of them due to poor personal habits, and others are simply due to factors beyond our control.

Here are some factors that can contribute to Gum Recession:

Overly aggressive flossing and brushing.
    In our quest to keep our teeth, gums and mouth in tip-top condition, sometimes we can overdo it. There are right and wrong ways to floss and brush, and if injure your gums, you could actually being doing yourself a disservice. It’s best to use a “soft” bristled toothbrush and make sure that you’re brushing according to accepted standards instead of scrubbing too hard that you cause damage to your teeth and gums.

Poor oral care.
    The opposite of brushing too aggressively is not doing enough brushing or flossing, to take care of your mouth. Either extreme can lead to receding gums.

Grinding your teeth.
     Also known as bruxism, is caused by grinding your teeth in your sleep even if you are not aware you are doing so. Teeth grinding not only damages teeth and gums, it can cause other health problems as well. Fortunately, it can be treated with a mouth guard or other options once it has been diagnosed.

Genetics.
     Sometimes, despite our best oral hygiene efforts, we are victims of our own DNA. If one or both of your parents have had receding gums, there’s a chance you may encounter it at some point as well.

Trauma.
     A blow to your mouth can cause trauma to your teeth and gums, resulting in receding gum issues.

Abnormal tooth positions.
     If your teeth are not aligned properly, you could also experience receding gums.