As we age, oral health concerns like gum issues tend to be more prominent. A common form of gum disease, gum recession affects approximately 88% of individuals over the age of 65*. That’s why preventive measures are so important. When it comes to taking care of your gums and maintaining your gum health, finding the best electric toothbrush for receding gums can help.
What are Receding Gums?
Gum recession can vary from mild to severe in terms of symptoms. Receding gums occurs when the gum tissue begins to pull back, or away, from the tooth. In some instances, the root of the tooth is then left exposed and vulnerable. This can lead to sensitivity when brushing, flossing, and even eating or drinking.
Furthermore, receding gums is often associated with tooth decay. As the root of the tooth becomes vulnerable, the tooth’s density can also be affected causing loose and weakened teeth. As the tissue pulls away, an exposed tooth root makes it easier for bacteria to build up. This can leave your smile more susceptible to cavities and other forms of gum disease, and in turn, tooth loss.
To better manage receding gums there are a few telltale signs to watch out for. Common symptoms that are characteristic of receding gums include:
Bleeding or swollen gums
Tooth sensitivity
Bad breath
Teeth appearing larger or “longer”
Loose or “wiggly” teeth
If you notice any of these symptoms or are worried that you may have receding gums, see your dental professional right away for proper diagnosis and treatment.
When left untreated, gum recession can result in more serious oral health issues including advanced gum disease and tooth loss.
Why Do Gums Begin to Recede?
Age is a common factor that contributes to receding gums. However, there are additional factors that can lead to this gum issue.
Common causes of receding gums include:
Poor oral hygiene
Plaque or tartar buildup
Gum tissue injury
Misaligned teeth
Overbrushing
Tobacco use
Following these steps can help you maintain healthy gums and reduce the risk of needing gum surgery in the future. Receding gums treatment can also include:
Root Scaling and Planning: A deep cleaning below the gum line that is carried out by a dental professional to better treat gum disease.
Gum Graft Surgery: Conducted by a periodontist, this receding gum treatment aims to cover exposed roots by reviving gum tissue and promoting gum regeneration.
Dental Bonding: A restorative form of dentistry, this procedure covers exposed tooth roots with a tooth-colored resin.
When it comes to care post-treatment, it can also help to understand exactly which toothbrush is best if you have receding gums, what brush head to use, and other oral care products that are expertly designed to help you keep your gums in good condition.
Brushing with an Electric Toothbrush When Dealing with Receding Gums?
Electric toothbrushes remove up to 100% more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush, making them more ideal at cleaning around the gum line. When choosing the best electric toothbrush for those who have receding gums there are several factors to consider that can help ensure you’re making the right decision for your smile.
Brush Head: A great feature of electric toothbrushes is that you can swap out the brush head, making it easy to personalize your daily routine. Plus, dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush head every 3 months to help ensure you continue to get your most optimal clean. Frayed or worn bristles aren’t as effective at cleaning while also damaging your teeth and gums.
When choosing a brush head for receding gums pay attention to the bristle quality, shape of the brush head, and the overall quality.
Go for softer bristles that are perfectly angled to deliver a deep clean in hard-to-reach areas. Shape is also a factor. Inspired by professional dental tools, Oral-B round brush heads are expertly designed to deliver an amazing clean.
Brushing Modes: Additionally, several Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes, like the Oral-B iO9, feature multiple brushing modes including a gum care mode and a sensitive cleaning mode. These modes can help minimize the discomfort that receding gums can cause when brushing.
Gum Pressure: A common cause of receding gums is brushing too hard. Aggressive brushing can damage the gum line and the tooth’s enamel (the outermost layer of the tooth). Unlike their manual counterparts, some electric toothbrushes include additional gum protection features like a gum pressure sensor.
Most Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes also come equipped with gum pressure control. The Oral-B iO9 features a Smart Pressure Sensor which helps protect gums and enamel from overbrushing. The light displays red when brushing too hard, white when brushing too light, and green when brushing just the right. The right brushing pressure is crucial in helping to maintain strong teeth and a healthy gumline.
Battery Life: The battery life of your electric toothbrush affects its effectiveness over time. Look for a toothbrush with a reliable and long battery life. You won’t have to charge it too often so you can experience your best clean, every time.
Our Best Electric Toothbrushes If You Have Receding Gums
Finding the best electric toothbrush to use if you have receding gums comes down to the factors discussed above as well as personal preference. Let’s start by looking at the latest Oral-B electric toothbrushes available on the market today. From gum care features to extra soft bristles, there’s sure to be an Oral-B electric toothbrush that’s right for your oral care needs.
Oral-B’s best electric toothbrushes for brushing if you have receding gums are:
Oral-B iO Series of Electric Toothbrushes
From personalized brushing modes to a smart pressure sensor, the ADA-accepted Oral-B iO9 may just be the best Oral-B Electric Toothbrush for use if you have receding gums. The advanced iO technology delivers a professional clean feeling while staying surprisingly gently on enamel and gums.
Oral-B Genius Series
Real-time coaching with A.I. technology helps you brush just how your dentist recommends. Equipped with deep cleaning action and an LED 360 Smart Ring, the Oral-B Genius X helps you maintain your gum health while also achieving a whole-mouth clean.
Oral-B Smart Series
The dentist-inspired Oral-B Smart Series includes a visible pressure sensor and 3D cleaning action, so you can continue to better protect your gum line while removing more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush.
Oral-B Pro Series
The ADA-accepted Oral-B Pro Series helps protect your gums while also adjusting to your oral care needs. Th Oral-B Pro 3 - 3000 - Electric Toothbrush features a visible pressure sensor which helps keep you from brushing too hard.
If you’re still unsure as to which electric toothbrush is best for you if you have receding gums? You can find your brush match with help from Oral-B. Share your oral care needs and get matched with the best toothbrush for gum care for you.
How to Brush with an Electric Toothbrush for Receding Gums
With all their features, it’s not a surprise that brushing with an electric toothbrush can help benefit those with receding gums. Here’s how to make the most of your daily oral care routine for receding gums when making the switch to the Oral-B iO9 or another Oral-B Electric Toothbrush:
How you brush matters—apply the right brushing technique to maximise the benefits of your electric toothbrush.
Avoid irritating your gums by brushing with just the right amount of pressure. Make sure to pay attention to the pressure sensor as you brush your teeth and gum line.
Set your Oral-B iO Smart Brushing Mode to gum care to better protect your gum line. If you experience tooth sensitivity you can also try brushing with either Sensitive or Super Sensitive Mode, both are designed to deliver a much gentler clean on teeth and gums while still removing harmful plaque bacteria.
The Oral-B Genius, Smart, or Pro electric toothbrushes also feature a sensitive brushing mode to help deliver a gentler clean.
Consider personalizing your brushing sessions even further with the right Oral-B Brush Head. The Oral-B iO Gentle Care Replacement Brush Head features the same dentist-inspired round brush head as most Oral-B brush heads but takes the cleaning technology to another level. It combines the unique round brush head with powerful, but gentle micro-vibrations. The extra soft bristles are expertly designed to adapt to the curves of the and gums for an effective yet gentle cleaning experience.
If you’re not brushing with an iO, the best brush head for receding gums that’s compatible with Oral-B Genius, Smart, and Pro electric toothbrushes is the Oral-B Sensitive Clean Brush Head. Ultrathin bristles offer superior gum protection while improving gum health by 100% when compared to a regular manual toothbrush. Plus, if you’re experiencing extreme sensitivity when brushing because of receding gums, the extra-soft bristles clean gently along the gum line for a more comfortable brushing experience.
To improve your oral health try brushing with the Oral-B app. It tracks instances of gum bleeding, helps makes sure you cover every area of the mouth as you brush, and even offers up challenges that are specifically designed to help you meet your oral care goals.
Don’t slack on your flossing routine. To better remove more plaque from hard-to-reach areas and in-between teeth, flossing at least once a day is a must. Pairing traditional string floss like Oral-B Pro-Expert Premium Dental Floss with a water flosser can also help you maintain healthy gums. The Oral-B AquaCare cordless irrigator helps deliver an interdental clean to help invigorate your gums.
Swish daily for reinforcements. An anticavity rinse not only protects against cavities and freshens breath it can also help target and neutralize plaque along the gum line.
Keep up with your dental appointments by making sure to visit your dental professional every 6 months for professional cleanings and checkups.
Receding Gums FAQs
Is an electric toothbrush good for receding gums?
The best type of toothbrush for receding gums comes down to one that helps protect from overbrushing while delivering 100% cleaning efficacy. Electric toothbrushes remove plaque more effectively helping keep gums in good condition. When used properly, electric toothbrushes are safer on both enamel (the outermost layer of the tooth) and the gum line.
Is electric toothbrush better than manual gum recession?
Unlike manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes remove 100% more plaque to help keep your gums in good condition. Plus, electric toothbrushes equipped with a pressure sensor offer additional gum protection by helping to avoid overbrushing.
Can gums regrow after receding?
Unfortunately, your gum tissue does not grow back unlike other types of tissue such as your skin. This makes it especially important to look out for the early signs of receding gums.
What happens if gums recede too much?
If gum recession is left untreated, the gaps that are formed between the teeth and gums become more susceptible to disease-causing plaque bacteria. This can increase the risk of more severe gum disease developing and the occurrence of tooth loss.
What foods to avoid with receding gums?
Good oral health is also reliant on diet. However, when gums recede, what you eat matters even more. Certain foods can worsen gum recession, lead to a more advanced form of gum disease, and cause tooth decay. The foods to avoid with receding gums include those that are high in sugars and starches such as sweets, sugary drinks, pasta, and white bread. Also, since receding gums can cause tooth sensitivity, to better limit your discomfort it may be best to avoid foods with extremely hot or cold temperatures.
From Oral-B, the #1 toothbrush brand used by dentists worldwide.
Sources:
https://www.cigna.com/knowledge-center/receding-gums
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22753-gum-recession
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/periodontal-disease/adults
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/receding_gums_causes-treatments
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-oral-health-receding-gums
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