Gum recession is very common — almost half of Americans have receding gums in some capacity.[ 1 ] So if you’re dealing with this problem, don’t worry; you aren’t alone! But don’t let its widespread nature make you take gum recession lightly. Once gum tissue is lost, it doesn’t come back, so catching this in its early stages is important — that way, you can focus on preventing further recession and dental complications down the line.
In this guide, we’ll learn a little about the causes of gum recession and explore whether or not clear aligners can help treat it. Our goal is for you to leave this guide with a greater understanding of whether or not clear aligners may be the help you need for receding gums.
Table of Contents
Symptoms of Gum Recession
Gum recession happens gradually and isn’t always painful, so in its early stages, you’re not likely to notice it on your own. Regular dentist appointments are a good way to keep an eye on oral health and catch any gum recession before it gets worse.1 If cost is keeping you from regular dentist visits, check to see if there are dental or hygiene schools in your area that offer free or discounted treatment.
If left untreated, gum recession can lead to numerous problems ranging from more superficial concerns, like a toothy smile, to more serious health concerns, like bone loss.1 Recession can also cause periodontal (gum) disease, which can cause tooth loss later down the line. So it’s important to address this issue as soon as possible.
Causes of Gum Recession
Receding gums can develop for a variety of reasons.[ 2 ] Failing to keep up with oral hygiene, smoking, and even just a genetic coin flip can leave you with gum recession. The condition can be a symptom of something larger, like periodontal disease, or it can be from something more easily corrected, like brushing your teeth too aggressively.
Plaque is one of the main culprits behind receding gums.[ 3 ] If plaque spends too much time at your gum line, the gums will instinctively shrink away from what they believe is a foreign body. As the gums recede, bacteria and plaque seep into the natural space between the tooth and the gum called the periodontal pocket. It’s almost impossible for you to clean this area with just a toothbrush and floss, so it’s easy for the bacteria to flourish and cause periodontal disease.[ 4 ] This is why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly and catch recession in its early stages.
Untreated periodontal disease can cause gum recession, too.[ 3 ] As the disease progresses, the bone will begin to erode. Since the bone is the main support system of the gums, bone loss causes the gums to recede.
Another cause of gum recession is trauma.[ 3 ] Trauma to gums can happen by over brushing, using a toothbrush that is too hard, clenching and grinding your teeth, misaligned teeth, and injury from a sudden blow to the mouth.
Can Clear Aligners Fix Gum Recession?
In short? No. Once your gums have receded, nothing can regrow them. What clear aligners can do is align your bite and straighten your teeth, which will help to create fewer places for the bacteria to hide as well as relieve certain teeth from being overly stressed due to misalignment. This will stop the gum recession — providing that a misaligned bite is the cause. Teeth straightening isn’t just an aesthetic decision; it can have very real health benefits as well.
Which Causes of Gum Recession Can Clear Aligners Treat?
Clear aligners can help treat causes of gum recession that relate to your bite and the way your teeth come together, both when you are awake and asleep.[ 5 ]
Misalignment
Misalignment can cause your gums to recede in a number of ways. A misaligned bite can put undue stress on certain teeth and areas of the jaw, causing the aggravated gums to recede. Misaligned teeth are sometimes even predisposed to gum recession. When teeth don’t sit straight in the jaw, it can mean the surrounding gums are thin — which can lead to recession.
Clear aligners gradually align your bite, which can save you from causing disproportionate wear on just a few teeth. A properly aligned bite evenly distributes the force of chewing across the whole jaw. This can save the gums around the previously stressed teeth from receding further.
Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth can present many challenges to good oral health. They provide all kinds of places for bacteria to hide from your careful brushing and flossing, making it easier for bacteria to flourish over time.
Clear aligners can correct a crooked smile, evening out your teeth so you can better access each nook and cranny during your cleanings. This makes it less likely that the bacteria will cause your gums to recede.
Bruxism
Bruxism (a fancy word for clenching or grinding your teeth) can cause so much stress on the gums that they begin to recede. Oftentimes, a solution for bruxism is wearing a night guard. This is a durable piece of plastic you put in your mouth overnight to prevent you from grinding and clenching your teeth together. Clear aligner treatment typically requires overnight wear, which can provide similar relief from sleep bruxism as offered by a night guard.
Since you’ll most likely be wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day, only removing them for mealtimes, that doesn’t leave much time for your teeth to grind. Additionally, once you’ve finished treatment, you’ll need to wear an overnight retainer in perpetuity. This retainer is durable and protects against bruxism just like a night guard.
Which Causes of Gum Recession Can’t Clear Aligners Treat?
Since there are so many different reasons a person’s gums might recede, clear aligners aren’t able to help every single case. With severe gum recession, surgery or grafting may be necessary. In other cases, simple lifestyle interventions could be enough to change course. It all depends on your particular situation.
Genetics
Clear aligners are a pretty powerful teeth-straightening tool, but they can’t change your genetic makeup.[ 6 ] People naturally vary in their gum thickness. If you are genetically predisposed to have thinner gums, yours may still do some receding even if you maintain perfect oral hygiene.
Brushing Too Hard
Clear aligners can’t make you brush more softly — but the good news is that you can learn how to brush gently without aligners! If you’re brushing too hard, it’s entirely possible to retrain yourself to take it a little easier on your gums. Try holding your toothbrush with just three fingers — your thumb, index, and middle. This is all the pressure you need to properly brush your teeth. Check in with your dentist to get some other tips and tricks on how to brush your teeth more gently, and be sure to always use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Advanced electric toothbrushes often come with pressure indicators, which alert you if you’re pressing too hard on your teeth/gums. This technology is a great way to ensure you’re brushing correctly.
Smoking
Aligners won’t help you break a nicotine habit. However, quitting smoking is something you can choose to do for yourself as a preventative measure against gum recession (and all manner of dental horrors that can occur from smoking).
How Else Can I Stop/Slow Down Gum Recession?
Nutrition
We all know a dentist’s greatest adversary is a candy bar — since sugar is the greatest fuel you can give the bacteria in your mouth. Processed sugar is not to be mistaken with naturally occurring sugars like you find in fruit; your dentist won’t shed a tear over you eating a banana. Eating a whole-foods and plant-based diet can help to keep the bacteria in your mouth balanced and less likely to get emboldened enough to burrow into your gums, causing them to recede.
Mental Health
Stress can wreak havoc on our bodies.[ 7 ] Mental health problems often lead to clenching our jaws or grinding our teeth, (whether consciously or unconsciously), which can cause gum recession. Taking care of your mental health as much as possible can help you dodge physical health complications later down the line. We know that’s easier said than done, but even something simple like taking a walk or keeping a journal can make a big difference.
Final Thoughts
Gum recession is common, but that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. There are preventative measures and steps you can take in order to slow the recession of your gums to prevent further complications down the line.
If misalignment, bruxism, or crooked teeth are the cause of your receding gums, clear aligners may be a great option for you. Be sure to talk with your dentist or orthodontist to see which options may work best for you and your unique smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for gum recession: braces or clear aligners?
Braces and clear aligners can fix many of the same causes of gum recession, but in our opinion, clear aligners come out slightly ahead due to the fact that it’s much easier to maintain good oral hygiene than it is with braces.
Is gum recession permanent?
It is. So it’s very important to catch it in its early stages to prevent any further damage.
What is the best defense against gum recession?
The way to prevent gum recession is pretty much the same as preventing most dental issues: brush twice a day, floss daily, and see your dentist twice a year.
Is gum recession rare?
It is not! Nearly half of American adults have receding gums. So if you do, don’t worry; you aren’t alone! Lots of people are working through the same oral health problem as you.
How do I know if I have gum recession?
It can be hard to tell on your own that your gums are receding since it usually happens pretty gradually, so it’s important to see your dentist twice a year so they can catch any problems (like gum recession) early.
What if my gum recession is genetic?
Your dentist or orthodontist will be the best judge of what the right move will be for genetic gum recession. If your case is on the milder side, action beyond changing your oral care routine may not be needed. If your recession is on the aggressive side, they may recommend a gum graft. It all depends on your particular set of circumstances.
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