Other Names:
Receding Gums, Bleeding Gums

Symptoms:
The gums swell and get red. Cleaning the teeth makes them bleed.

Cause:
The gums pull away from the teeth. This is an early sign of periodontal disease (which see).


Treatment:
• Begin taking more calcium. Get more sunshine or take supplemental vitamin D. Building the bones from within is the best way. If your teeth are having trouble, the other bones in your body, although hidden, probably are also. You do not want a fractured hip later.

• Eat a nourishing diet. Include raw fruit and vegetables. They help exercise your teeth and gums. They also help clean your teeth.

• Stop using nicotine and alcohol. They remove vitamins and minerals from your body.

• Fill an ear syringe (a rubber bulb with a long nose) with water and hose out your mouth.

Massage the gums at least once a day; better yet, massage after every meal when you brush your teeth.

• Massage the gumline with a little baking soda on your finger, dipped in water.

• Brush the teeth carefully after each meal. Use a soft toothbrush and do it gently. Otherwise you will make scratches on the enamel.

Alternate between two toothbrushes, so each one can dry out before it is used again.

• Soak the toothbrushes in hydrogen peroxide once a week. This kills bacteria buildup.

• Brush carefully at the gumline.

• An electric toothbrush is said to eliminate 98% of the plaque; whereas a regular toothbrush is said to remove only 48%.

• Floss your teeth faithfully as needed.