Things You'll Need:
- A soft bristle toothbrush with a small head, preferably a motorized or battery-powered brush
- Toothpaste approved by the FDA to fight gum disease
- Floss
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Step 1
Take note of any abnormalities in your gums and teeth. Plaque under the gum line can give way to infection, which causes the gum tissue to swell and gradually break down and recede. If your gums are swollen or discolored, they are probably receding.
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Step 2
Prevent further gum recession by brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Regular flossing is even more necessary to preventing gum disease than brushing is, because plaque that is embedded between the teeth and under the gums can only be removed with floss.
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Step 3
Brush and floss as often as you eat and avoid eating when you don't have the opportunity to brush immediately afterwards. Take a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you when you're going to work or going out to eat.
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Step 4
Use the right kind of toothbrush. Avoid using a toothbrush that is too large or has hard bristles, and don't brush too aggressively. Use a small-headed brush with soft bristles used in circular motions across all surfaces of the teeth. You may even want to choose a motorized toothbrush, as these come with smaller heads and have controlled brushing motions.
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Step 5
Avoid acidic foods and drinks such as citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, pineapple and carbonated beverages. Too much of the acid contained in these foods can aggravate sensitive teeth and cause additional damage over time.
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Step 6
Clean your teeth immediately before going to bed and as soon as you get up in the morning. Plaque has an especially good opportunity to develop overnight and infect your gums.
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Step 7
Consult your dentist about surgical procedures and non-surgical alternatives to treat gum disease and correct receding gums. Gum tissue can even be grafted onto the gum to replace lost tissue, but only your dentist can tell you what options are right for you.
Comments
shannaohmes said
on 8/11/2009 Nice article, but step 5 is off base. Yes, eliminate the sodas from your diet, they deplete the body of vitamin C as well as calcium, causing bone loss. Read your history: lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges were used by sailors to treat scurvy, as well as lacto-fermented foods like sauerkraut. I have been treating my gums this way and have had success in restoring the vitamin C back in my body.
grimsleygl said
on 5/3/2009 So sorry...I tried to give you a rating but the rating system has not worked for me for several days now. I had hoped it was back up and running. Perhaps you can ask the ehow team to rate you a 5 from their end on my behalf! Thanks bunches!
grimsleygl said
on 5/3/2009 Nice article. Thanks bunches. 5*'s and a recommend
sheri83 said
on 1/14/2009 i have receding gum on my front buttom tooth and a lil alse where but i am scared of the one on my buttom tooth and i dont know what to do. i stop brushing for 15 minutes and use floride but i dont have moneyto pay for the surgery.i dont know where i can get help or what i should do. i have a lil girl thats 11 month and im a single mom and detroit system for dhs isnt helping but taking away cause of child support but i dont want to file for it cause im scared what my soon to be ex husband will do. he has hurt me in the past when i was pregnant with my daughter thats why i moved here to michigan. i want to be able to fix the matter of my tooth but i dont know where to go, how to pay opr where to get help. im scared and i cryand stress everynite and pray that everything will be alrite. i went to the dentist but all they say is to get to the priodontrist but i dont have any income. i dont