When we talk about people who are long in the tooth due to receding gums, we often assume this refers to someone old. But "long in the tooth" doesn't always describe older people. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, in one study, about 1 in 7 26-year-olds already has periodontal disease, which can lead to gums that pull away from the teeth.

Receding gums for young and old

The study also showed that nearly 75 percent of people in their 20s had receding gums in at least one area of their mouth. Receding gums detract from your healthy smile by pulling back and exposing too much of your teeth. This is where the expression "long in the tooth" originated.

As people age, their healthy smiles should continue to be a priority. For example, the American Dental Association conducted a survey of people in the aging "baby boom generation." About 66 percent of the survey participants reported that the condition of their teeth is better that what their parents' teeth were when they were the same age.

However, baby boomers are sending mixed messages about their dental care priorities and habits. In another survey by the Academy of General Dentistry, 78 percent of people in this age bracket said that regular dental care was an important part of their preventative care, but fewer than half of them visit their dentist twice per year. Neglecting your oral care is one of the many causes of receding gums.

Causes and effects of receding gums

Sometimes receding gums may occur because your gums are very thin and fragile. For example, the roots of your teeth may be prominent naturally, or the muscle tissues in your gums are weak, or your gums may be damaged.

Receding gums also are a danger sign of infections, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Early warning signs of periodontal disease include:

• Red, puffy, or bleeding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Tenderness or pain in the gums

If treated early on, we can reverse these effects. But we need your help. By faithfully following our homecare instructions (brushing, flossing, and other techniques we may recommend for your situation), you can help prevent the early warning signs from escalating into even more serious forms of periodontal disease.

But if you continue to neglect your gums, they may begin to recede further, causing additional complications from periodontal disease. Receding gums can lead to increasing the likelihood for plaque to cause cavities. It can also lead to exposing the roots of your teeth, losing bone structure, or even losing your teeth. No matter what your age, being long in the tooth is a serious problem.

Treatment and prevention

If you have receding gums, we may recommend different types of treatment, including:

• Homecare techniques with soft toothbrushes, flossing, and other aids
• Scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures at our office
• Antibiotic gels
• Surgical procedures to replace or regenerate lost tissue

Whether you are young or old, you can prevent becoming long in the tooth. With proper, consistent homecare and regular, professional dental checkups, you can preserve your healthy teeth and gums so that they last a lifetime.