Q.
I was diagnosed 2 years ago (2 years after the birth of my child) with receeding gums. I had the receeding gum at the lower front teeth cut away to stop more gum from pulling away from the teeth. I am now ‘long in the tooth’ My dental hygiene from diagnosis has been meticulous; I brush, floss, use interdental brushes and a tongue scraper and mouthwash. However, my gums are continuing to receed. There are small gaps forming between most teeth, especially the back molers. I also get a burning sensation in my mouth. I used to smoke on a social basis during my university days but I do not smoke now. My mother lost her teeth to pyrrhoea at the age of 29 after her first child and my sister lost a tooth to pyrroea during her first pregnancy. No roots are exposed as yet. My teeth do not wobble uncontrollably. However, when I eat and food gets trapped between the gaps, my teeth slightly move before I remove the debris with floss and they then settle down again. I have booked in with a specialist but I am worried. I am only 30 and I do not want dentures. My dentist said that I would eventually lose my teeth in my fifties, starting with the lower bottom teeth. I was shocked. What can be done about the gaps between the teeth and my long bottom front teeth? Can the recession be stopped? Your comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you