50% of Americans have Gum Recession. Your toothbrush choice can prevent it.

You would think that a problem that affects half of the population would be a little more well-known, but there has been surprisingly little fanfare over the fact that 50% of Americans have gum recession, an incurable issue. The lack of dialogue about it may stem from the fact that no one really wants to think about — let alone talk about — oral disease and dental problems.

We’re here to change that, because we believe that keeping you informed can help you prevent damage to your smile. So what is gum recession and how do you stop it?

What is Gum Recession?

Not to be confused with gingivitis or periodontitis, gum recession is when the gums in your mouth recede or pull back, exposing more of your teeth, including the roots. Exposing the roots of your teeth can lead to all sorts of oral health problems, because they lack enamel to properly protect them from bacteria, which in turn leads to infection. Your teeth might become more sensitive to hot and cold, and the damage from receding gums in many cases is irreversible.

How Can You Prevent Gum Recession?

It might seem counterintuitive, but one of the ways to prevent gum recession is by brushing more softly. That’s right—it turns out that most of us are brushing our teeth too hard! Your dentist may have mentioned something to you about getting a “soft bristle toothbrush”, and you may not have paid a lot of attention because, let’s be honest, most of us are trying to get out of the dentist as quickly as possible.

But the reason your dentist mentioned it is that studies have found that we are simply being too rough on our teeth, and that excessive pressure is contributing to an astounding percentage of population with gum recession. With that in mind, here are three tips to prevent gum recession and to protect your healthy smile.

3 Tips to Prevent Receding Gums:

1. If you’re using a manual toothbrush, choose a soft bristle toothbrush and be careful to brush gently in circular motions.
2. Use an electric toothbrush, such as the Shyn Daily Sonic Toothbrush. It has pressure sensing technology built in and will audibly alert you when you push too hard.
3. Brush at least two times a day, every day, for a minimum of two minutes. This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria that contribute to gum recession.

Follow these recommended tips to prevent this common dental disease.

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