Using oil pulling for receding gums is one of the most popular home remedies out there on the internet to treat this ailment. However, popularity and efficacy do not always go hand in hand. Although it’s true that oil pulling can help you keep a good oral hygiene, receding gums are a separate issue.
Can using oil pulling for receding gums help revert this problem?
The quickest and shortest answer is: no, using oil pulling for receding gums will not fix the problem.
Unlike other body tissues, gums cannot grow back or return to their prior state. This means that unless surgery is involved, there are no home remedies, treatments or medication that can help with this issue.
That being said, oil pulling, particularly if you use one with antibacterial properties such as coconut oil, can still be beneficial to slow down the process. When gums recede, the area left uncovered is more prone to bacterial and germ infections, which in turn will lead the gums to shrink more.
Oil pulling can help clear the mouth from harmful bacteria, thus slowing and even stopping gums from retreating, depending on the underlying cause.
Causes of receding gums
Receding gums are usually a symptom of inflammation or of physical wear.
The first is normally caused by poor oral hygiene that allows bacteria to flourish in the tiny cavities between the gums and the teeth.
Likewise, when too much plaque is left to build upon the teeth, it can lead to gingivitis which in turn can evolve into periodontitis. The latter triggers the loss of the connective fibers keeping the gums attached to the teeth roots, thus loosening the gums which will then recede.
Physical wear is normally associated with age and it’s one of the reasons why receding gums are so common among the elderly. However, brushing your teeth with hard bristles and too strongly can also cause the gums to wear out.
Other common causes include:
- Genetics
- Crooked teeth
- Mouth piercings
How to stop gums from receding
As mentioned before, using oil pulling for receding gums can help to prevent further shrinking by eliminating germs and bacteria that could infect them, but it’s not the only option you have available. It is not even the ideal option.
If you want to stop your gums from shrinking you only need to focus on having good hygiene practices
Don’t skip flossing and always brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. Don’t put too much pressure when brushing and be gentle with flossing so as not to cut the already sensitive gums in the process.
Good hygiene practices are the first step to eliminate bacteria and germs from your mouth and to prevent the creation of the perfect environment for them to thrive.
Surgery for receding gums
Surgery is the only way to fix the problem of shrinking gums, since nothing can make them grow back again.
To perform this, the surgeon removes tissue from other areas of your mouth and grafts it to the exposed area so fuses with the remaining gum.
However, surgery is the last resource and it is only performed in severe cases. Normally, doctors and dentists will instead focus on treatments to reduce or remove sensibility from the exposed teeth roots, in order for you to be able to brush and floss properly without feeling any pain.
Tips to keep your gums healthy
It is really straightforward to keep your gums healthy. All you have to do is brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled brush twice a day, floss, and don’t forget to visit the dentist every 6 months to do a check-up.
You can also use a mouthwash once in a while to give your brushing and flossing an extra push eliminating bacteria, but don’t use it every time. There are good and needed bacteria living in your mouth too, and mouthwashes kill indiscriminately.
Make brushing time count!
If you’re struggling with receding gums but cannot find any cause for physical worn out, the problem is most likely in your brushing and flossing habits.
You may even say that you do that every day and therefore the reason for your problem must stem from somewhere else. You can be absolutely right, or you can just be mistaken regarding the quality of your brushing.
Check out the video below to get to know the 11 most common mistakes people make when brushing your teeth, and prepare to be surprised by the number of wrong things you are likely doing.
