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My dentist mentioned gums shrinking - can habits really help?
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...
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"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...
Diet and hydration can support overall oral health, but they aren’t established ways to reverse gum recession. Plaque-related gum inflammation is another factor worth discussing with a dentist; daily brushing and cleaning between teeth help control plaque.