Just learned something kinda interesting from my dentist today. Apparently, things like brushing too hard or even stress can make your gums shrink back over time. I always thought it was just aging or genetics, you know? But turns out lifestyle stuff matters more than I realized. She said even diet and hydration play a role. Kinda makes sense, but still surprised me. Curious if anyone else heard about this or knows other habits that might help gums stay healthy...
"Apparently, things like brushing too hard or even stress can make your gums shrink back over time."
Yeah, that's spot-on. I learned the hard way about brushing too aggressively—my dentist showed me how my gums had receded a bit from years of scrubbing like I was cleaning grout or something... Anyway, since switching to a softer toothbrush and easing up on pressure, things seem better. Has anyone mentioned flossing technique to you? Heard that improper flossing can also irritate gums and cause issues long-term.
Yeah, flossing technique definitely matters. I used to snap the floss down hard between my teeth—thought I was being thorough—but turns out that was irritating my gums more than helping. Dentist suggested gently sliding it along the tooth surface instead, and it's made a noticeable difference. Plus, softer toothbrushes are cheaper anyway, so win-win for my gums and wallet, haha...
