What to do about gum recession and gaps between teeth for a 19-year-old?

Question #30000

12 hours ago

What to do about gum recession and gaps between teeth for a 19-year-old? - #30000

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Muje ek doc ne kha i have gum reccesion issue and unhe 10+yr ka experience h unhone cleaning recommend kia.... But unse treatment ni le pai Phr patna m mene ek damily doc se consult kia unhone kha kch ni h kch ni h aur jha tartar jha upper molar m tha wo saaf kr dia aur blleding hui thi uske liye metrohex dia but kujje smne ki dant ko le kr concerned h m 19yr old kiddo hu m bs apne dant ko le kr conscious hu...me do br brush kr ri doc ne mujhe whyt by doc reddy k paste prescribe kia tha qki danto m stain the aur metrohex gel twice a day laga ri hu ..phle floosing krte wqt khoon ata tha ab ni ata na brush krne pe laga Aur ab mujhe danto k bich gap dikh re mtlb mene notice kra h mujhe yd ni phle ye gap the ki ni

How long have you noticed the gaps between your teeth?:

- Less than a month

Have you experienced any pain or discomfort in your gums or teeth?:

- Mild discomfort

Do you have a history of dental issues in your family?:

- Not really

How often do you visit the dentist for check-ups?:

- Only when I have issues

Have you made any changes to your dental care routine recently?:

- Yes, I changed toothpaste

How would you describe your overall oral hygiene habits?:

- Good — I brush regularly but skip flossing

Do you have any other symptoms like bad breath or sensitivity?:

- No symptoms

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Doctors' responses

Dr. Bharat Joshi

I’m a periodontist and academician with a strong clinical and teaching background. Over the last 4 years and 8 months, I’ve been actively involved in dental education, guiding students at multiple levels including dental hygienist, BDS, and MDS programs. Currently, I serve as a Reader at MMCDSR in Ambala, Haryana—a role that allows me to merge my academic passion with hands-on experience. Clinically, I’ve been practicing dentistry for the past 12 years. From routine procedures like scaling and root planing to more advanced cases involving grafts, biopsies, and implant surgeries. Honestly, I still find joy in doing a simple RCT when it’s needed. It’s not just about the procedure but making sure the patient feels comfortable and safe. Academically, I have 26 research publications to my credit. I’m on the editorial boards of the Archives of Dental Research and Journal of Dental Research and Oral Health, and I’ve spent a lot of time reviewing manuscripts—from case reports to meta-analyses and even book reviews. I was honored to receive the “Best Editor” award by Innovative Publications, and Athena Publications recognized me as an “excellent reviewer,” which honestly came as a bit of a surprise! In 2025, I had the opportunity to present a guest lecture in Italy on traumatic oral lesions. Sharing my work and learning from peers globally has been incredibly fulfilling. Outside academics and clinics, I’ve also worked in the pharmaceutical sector as a Drug Safety Associate for about 3 years, focusing on pharmacovigilance. That role really sharpened my attention to detail and deepened my understanding of drug interactions and adverse effects. My goal is to keep learning, and give every patient and student my absolute best.

5 hours ago

Hello ji
Aapki problem se lagta hai hum recession hai
Recession ka matlab hai gums neechay jaa rahein hai aur root dikh rahi hai
Ismein combination procedure hogaa
Kuch test aur treatment details likh raha hun.
Nearby dentist preferably periodontist ko dikhana
X ray or
Rvg for prognosis
Treatment options
Scaling and root planing
Graft surgery free gingival or connective tissue
Membrane application
Follow up must
Modified still man technique for brushing
Hopefully you recover soon
Regards

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Dr. Arsha K Isac

I am a general dentist with 3+ years of working in real-world setups, and lemme say—every single patient teaches me something diff. It’s not just teeth honestly, it’s people… and how they feel walking into the chair. I try really hard to not make it just a “procedure thing.” I explain stuff in plain words—no confusing dental jargon, just straight talk—coz I feel like when ppl *get* what's going on, they feel safer n that makes all the difference. Worked with all ages—like, little kids who need that gentle nudge about brushing, to older folks who come in with long histories and sometimes just need someone to really sit n listen. It’s weirdly rewarding to see someone walk out lighter, not just 'coz their toothache's gone but coz they felt seen during the whole thing. A lot of ppl come in scared or just unsure, and I honestly take that seriously. I keep the vibe calm. Try to read their mood, don’t rush. I always tell myself—every smile’s got a story, even the broken ones. My thing is: comfort first, then precision. I want the outcome to last, not just look good for a week. Not tryna claim perfection or magic solutions—just consistent, clear, hands-on care where patients feel heard. I think dentistry should *fit* the person, not push them into a box. That's kinda been my philosophy from day one. And yeah, maybe sometimes I overexplain or spend a bit too long checking alignment again but hey, if it means someone eats pain-free or finally smiles wide in pics again? Worth it. Every time.

3 hours ago

Hello
Aap jo describe kar rahe ho usme zyda serious ya irreversible problem nahi lag rahi. Jab tartar/calculus clean hota hai tab pehle jo deposits gums aur teeth ke beech jagah fill karke rakhe hote hain, unke hatne ke baad gaps suddenly noticeable lag sakte hain. Isliye cleaning ke baad “spaces” ya black triangles dikhna common hai, especially front teeth me.
Achhi baat ye hai ki ab brushing ya flossing pe bleeding nahi ho rahi — iska matlab gums ki inflammation improve ho rahi hai. Metrohex gel aur proper cleaning se gums heal ho sakte hain.
19 years age me mild gum recession ko usually good oral hygiene se control kiya ja sakta hai. Din me 2 baar soft brush se gently brush karo, aggressive brushing mat karo, flossing continue karo but softly. Whitening toothpaste zyada harsh lage ya sensitivity ho to daily long-term use avoid karo.
Agar possible ho to ek periodontist (gum specialist) se once consult kar lo for reassurance. Photos/X-ray aur gum measurements se clearly pata chal jayega ki actual recession hai ya sirf cleaning ke baad gaps visible lag rahe hain.
Filhal panic karne wali baat nahi lag rahi, especially because bleeding improve ho gayi hai aur pain/sensitivity bhi nahi hai.
Take care

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Dr. Prasannajeet Singh Shekhawat

I am a 2023 batch passout and working as a general physician right now, based in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. Still kinda new in the bigger picture maybe, but honestly—every single day in this line teaches you more than textbooks ever could. I’ve had the chance to work under some pretty respected doctors during and after my graduation, not just for the clinical part but also to see how they handle people, real people, in pain, in panic, and sometimes just confused about their own health. General medicine covers a lot, right? Like from the smallest complaints to those random, vague symptoms that no one really understands at first—those are kinda my zone now. I don’t really rush to label things, I try to spend time actually listening. Feels weird to say it but ya, I do take that part seriously. Some patients just need someone to hear the whole story instead of jumping to prescription pads after 30 seconds. Right now, my practice includes everything from managing common infections, blood pressure issues, sugar problems to more layered cases where symptoms overlap and you gotta just... piece things together. It's not glamorous all the time, but it's real. I’ve handled a bunch of seasonal disease waves too, like dengue surges and viral fevers that hit rural belts hard—Hanumangarh doesn’t get much spotlight but there’s plenty happening out here. Also, I do rely on basics—thorough history, solid clinical exam and yeah when needed, investigations. But not over-prescribing things just cz they’re there. One thing I picked up from the senior consultants I worked with—they used to say “don’t chase labs, chase the patient’s story”... stuck with me till now. Anyway, still learning every single day tbh. But I like that. Keeps me grounded and kind of obsessed with trying to get better.

3 hours ago

Hello
Aapki dental health ke baare mein jo aapne bataya, usse samajh aata hai ki aapko kuch concerns hain. Chaliye, isse thoda detail mein samjhte hain:
### 1. Gum Recession
- Gum recession ka matlab hai ki aapki gums dant se peeche hat rahi hain, jo danton ko expose kar sakta hai. Ye aksar brushing ki galat technique, tartar buildup, ya genetics ki wajah se hota hai.
- Agar aapko pehle gum recession ka diagnosis mila tha, toh ye zaroori hai ki aap apne oral hygiene routine par dhyan dein.
### 2. Dental Cleaning
- Cleaning se tartar aur plaque remove hota hai, jo gum disease aur cavities ka kaaran ban sakta hai. Agar aapne cleaning karwai hai aur bleeding ab nahi ho rahi, toh ye achi baat hai.
- Metrohex gel ka istemal bhi aapke gums ko soothe karne aur infection se bachne ke liye hota hai.
### 3. Gaps Between Teeth
- Danton ke beech gap dikhne ka matlab ho sakta hai ki aapki gums thodi si shrink ho rahi hain ya phir aapke danton ki positioning mein kuch changes aaye hain.
- Ye gaps kabhi kabhi normal hote hain, lekin agar aapko lagta hai ki ye badh rahe hain, toh ye gum recession ya dental alignment ka issue ho sakta hai.
### 4. Oral Hygiene Routine
- Do baar brush karna aur flossing karna zaroori hai. Agar aapko floss karte waqt bleeding nahi ho rahi, toh ye achi baat hai.
- Whitening toothpaste se stains kam hone chahiye, lekin agar aapko koi irritation ya sensitivity mehsoos hoti hai, toh toothpaste badalna zaroori ho sakta hai.
### 5. Next Steps
- Regular Dental Check-ups: Aapko apne dentist se regular check-ups karte rehna chahiye, taaki kisi bhi dental issue ko jaldi pakda ja sake.
- Consult a Specialist: Agar aapko gum recession ya gaps ke baare mein zyada chinta hai, toh ek periodontist (gum specialist) se consult karna behtar hoga.
- Maintain Oral Hygiene: Apne brushing aur flossing routine ko continue rakhein, aur agar koi naya symptom ya concern ho, toh dentist se turant sampark karein.
Thank you

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Dr. Nirav Jain

I am a qualified medical doctor with MBBS and DNB Diploma in Family Medicine from NBEMS, and my work has always been centered on treating patients in a complete, not just symptom based way. During my DNB training I rotated through almost every core department—Internal medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Surgery, Orthopedics, ENT, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency medicine. That mix gave me the skill to manage acute illness, long term disease and preventive care together, something I find very important in family practice. In psychiatry I worked closely with patients who struggled with depression, anxiety, stress related problems, insomnia or substance use. I learned not just about medication but also about simple psychotherapy tools, psycho education and how to talk openly without judgement. I still use that exp in family medicine, specially when chronic disease patients also face mental health issues. My time in General surgery included assisting in minor and major procedures, managing wounds, abscess, sutures and emergencies. While I am not a surgeon, this gave me confidence to recognize surgical cases early, provide first line care and refer fast when needed, which makes a big difference in online or OPD settings. Now I work as a consultant in General medicine and Family practice, with focus on both in-person and online consultation. I treat conditions like fever, infections, gastrointestinal complaints, respiratory illness, and also manage diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, and lifestyle related chronic diseases. I see women for PCOS, contraception counseling, menstrual health, and children for common pediatric issues. I also dedicate time to preventive health, lifestyle counseling and diet-sleep-exercise advice, since these small changes affect long term wellness more than we often realize. My key skills include holistic diagnosis, evidence based treatment, chronic disease management, mental health support, preventive medicine and telemedicine communiation. At the center of all this is one thing—patients should feel heard, safe, and guided with care that is both professional and personal.

14 minutes ago

Hello, thank you for sharing your concern. Aapki baat se lag raha hai ki:
- pehle gums me inflammation/tartar tha,
- flossing pe bleeding aati thi,
- aur cleaning ke baad bleeding kam ho gayi hai,
toh ye actually improvement ka sign ho sakta hai.
Jo “gap” ab dikh raha hai, wo kai baar cleaning ke baad noticeable lagta hai because:
- pehle tartar/jama hua deposit space ko fill karta tha,
- swelling bhi hoti hai gums me,
- jab tartar remove hota hai aur swelling kam hoti hai toh natural tooth spacing zyada visible lag sakti hai.
Iska matlab hamesha severe gum recession nahi hota.
Achi baat:
- bleeding ab band ho gayi,
- brushing regular hai,
- oral hygiene improve hui hai.
Metrohex gel short-term use ke liye theek hai, but continuously long-term bina dentist advice ke use mat kariye.
Aapko ab kya karna chahiye:
- Soft brush use kariye
- Bahut hard brushing mat kariye
- Gentle flossing continue kariye
- 6-month dental cleaning follow-up rakhiye
- Agar sensitivity, loose teeth, bad breath, ya rapidly increasing gaps ho toh periodontist consult kariye
At 19 years age, early gum issues agar properly maintain karein toh kaafi control me rehte hain.
Dentist ko jaldi dikhaiye agar:
- gums niche hatte jayein,
- daant hilne lage,
- pus aaye,
- severe sensitivity ho,
- ya bleeding fir se start ho.
Final Prescription / Advice:
- Continue proper brushing twice daily with soft brush
- Gentle flossing once daily
- Metrohex gel only for short duration as advised by dentist
- Professional dental follow-up/cleaning recommended if tartar reaccumulates
Advice: Cleaning ke baad gums ki swelling kam hone se tooth gaps zyada visible lag sakte hain, aur yeh har baar dangerous gum recession ka sign nahi hota.
Feel free to reach out again.
Regards,
Dr. Nirav Jain
MBBS, D.Fam.Medicine

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