Receding gums in my 20s

Don’t think gum disease and gum recession in your 20s is possible or uncommon? Think again.

Back when I was 16, at my regular dental check-up, I was told I had gum disease. At the time, I didn’t care, partly because my dentist said it in a huff and offered no explanation other than telling me not to smoke. But you know what telling a 16-year-old what to do is like.

There were no next steps, no advice telling me how often to come in or a prevention plan. It was up to me, and I thought if my dentists weren’t bothered, why should I be? I can’t help but think, knowing what I know now, that all of this could be avoided, and my oral health could be better preserved, and in all honesty, it’s just down to poor oral education.

Now, I’m in my late 20s and employed as a dental content writer; every day, I read about the dangers of gum disease and receding gums and what will eventually happen if you don’t get it treated in the early stages. After examining my teeth, I found that, particularly in the lower jaw, in my front teeth where plaque and tartar build-up was significant, my gums were beginning to recede, and panic struck. 

The thought of losing my teeth is a real fear – and with my 20s seeing this level of progression, I’m worried about what my 30s hold. For much of my 20s, I ignored the problem, mostly out of fear. For example, I was worried that if tartar and plaque build-up were removed, it would expose receding gums and leave behind deeper, triangular pockets. But I know that holding on to this is so much more worse than getting it treated and taking next steps to better my oral health.