What do our gums do?

Healthy gums provide the support to teeth that enables them to function properly. They are generally light pink in colour, and have a rippled texture similar to that of an orange. When gums become unhealthy they tend to bleed, swell and recede. This not only creates pain, but also makes it harder to speak, eat, drink and swallow.

What are receding gums?

Receding gums develop when bone of the mouth and gums moves away from the tooth itself.

They may be the result of:

• Plaque accumulation/ poor oral hygiene, as the gum tissue is destroyed by toxic substances that are released from bacteria build-up on plaque.
• Imbalanced occlusion (the way teeth come together), which may potentially traumatize the gums and bone.
• Grinding and clenching.
• Fillings/crowns that are fitted without adequately balancing the bite.

Receding gums can often go undiagnosed until changes around the gum and teeth are identified, and sensitivity is noticed.

How we can treat receding gums naturally

Factors such as stress and inadequate nutrition can directly affects gum health essential for the efficient functioning of teeth. Luckily, there are many natural remedies available that help prevent and treat receding gums.

Many vitamins found in food sources and supplements may be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of receding gums. Some of these vitamins include:

• Vitamin D, whose anti-inflammatory qualities may decrease ones susceptibility to receding gums.
• Vitamin C, whose powerful antioxidant capability assists in faster bone regeneration and in the repair of connective tissue.
• Coenzyme Q10, another powerful antioxidant that assists in the repair of infected and damaged gum tissue.

The antibiotic properties of both Tea Tree oil and Cranberry may also useful in the treatment of receding gums. Cranberry may inhibit bacteria from sticking to the teeth, and tea tree oil may be beneficial in the treatment of symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding and gingivitis.

Recent scientific research has also shown that stress contributes to the accumulation of plaque on teeth and gums, which can often result in gum disease. Stress levels can be relieved by:

• Physical exercise, such as jogging, swimming, yoga, walking or any other fitness program you may be interested in.
• Meditation and specialised breathing techniques.
• Watching a movie or show that makes you laugh out loud.
• Hanging out with your pet.
• Writing down in a diary all that is bothering you.
• Soothing your senses by getting back to nature.
• Learning to prioritise and no say no when you need or want to.
• Listening to your favorite music.

To prevent receding gums you may also like to consider:

• Replacing your old toothbrush with an oscillating rotating toothbrush.
• Brushing and flossing your teeth as often as possible.
• Avoiding strongly acidic foods such as juices, soft drinks and citrus fruits that may cause aggravation to sensitive teeth and cause damage to the gums over time.
• Having your dentist correct old fillings and crowns that don’t meet properly.
• Switching to toothpaste that caters to sensitive teeth