Have you noticed your gums pulling back from your teeth, or do your teeth look longer? If so, you likely have receding gums and it’s time to schedule a periodontist appointment; the overall health of your teeth and mouth depends on it.
Receding gums result from a handful of different causes, the most serious being periodontal disease, or gum disease. There is currently no cure for gum recession or disease but it can be managed if done so with diligence and care.
Consider a healthy mouth of pink gums and a consistent gum line around all teeth. When gum recession takes hold, the gums become inflamed and the gum line around some teeth “sinks” or looks lower than other teeth. Gradually, more gum tissue wears away, exposing more of a tooth and causing sensitivity.
Can receding gums be reversed? First, let’s look at some common symptoms and causes of receding gums.
Symptoms and causes of receding gums
The most noticeable symptom of receding gums is the loss of tissue around your teeth. In addition, gum recession often results in red, swollen gums, bad breath, bad taste in the mouth, and loose teeth.
Some people also notice their bite is different or uncomfortable, tender gums, and pain in the mouth. Another major concern is receding gums are almost always more susceptible to bacteria and a host of related issues.
What causes gum recession? Interestingly, one of the most prevalent causes is the easiest to address. Poor oral hygiene is to blame for a great many dental dilemmas and if you are lacking in this area, gum recession could be in your future. Some medical conditions such as diabetes also impact gum recession, as does old age.
Even your toothbrush could be the culprit. Brushing too hard can lead to gum recession, or using a brush with stiff bristles. Sage advice: Use a soft-bristled brush and be gentle. Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each.
Other causes of gum recession include:
- Smoking
- Sports injury or similar trauma
- Misaligned teeth
- Poor fitting dentures
- Grinding your teeth at night
Gum recession treatment
Unfortunately, gum recession cannot be reversed. The tissue will not grow back but there are specific steps to take to keep the recession from getting worse.
Successful treatment ultimately depends on how your gum recession originated in the first place. Poor oral care habits can be discussed with your dentist and adapted accordingly. A plaque-fighting mouth rinse can be effective at targeting stubborn plaque between teeth, and dental picks work well to clean hard-to-reach areas.
While mild gum recession might not seem critical at first glance, even lighter cases boost the chances of bacteria forming in gum pockets, and gum disease tends to take hold much sooner in areas where other forms of gum disease already exist. A silver lining, however, is mild gum recession is not an automatic diagnosis of gum disease.
Deep cleaning treatments, known as scaling and root planing, may be performed to treat gum recession and prevent its spread. In more serious cases, gum grafting can “restore” lost tissue through a surgical procedure harvesting gum tissue from other areas of the mouth. The new tissue is then attached to affected areas and once healed, it offers protection and a natural look to the tooth.
Similar surgical techniques include flap surgery, involving a small incision in the gum tissue to lift and remove plaque, and bonding, where gum-colored resin is applied over the roots of an infected tooth to protect the sensitive roots and improve appearance.
Prevention tips
The best approach to treating gum recession is preventing it in the first place. Receding gums affect your smile and increases the likelihood of disease; to slow its progression requires ardent discipline on your part.
See your dentist no less than twice a year and heed their oral hygiene instructions. If you have advanced gum recession, it is wise to make an appointment with a periodontist, or gum disease specialist.
A healthy lifestyle is also a stalwart defense against gum recession. Maintain a healthy diet and if you smoke or use chewing tobacco, stop today. The bottom line is that while receding gums are common, treatment options are available to stem the tide.
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FAQs
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
Do your gums grow back after periodontal disease? ›
In most cases, your gum tissue will not come back once you've lost it. It's gone for good. However, this doesn't mean you're completely out of luck. With the right periodontal treatment, you may be able to halt the progression of gum recession.
Do dental implants work with receding gums? ›
Whilst good quality gums and jawbones are needed to place dental implants, gum recession doesn't necessarily mean you can't have dental implants. The only way to know if you're a suitable candidate is to see an expert implantologist like those here at Smile Stories. Take your first steps today and book a consultation.
Has anyone reversed receding gums? ›
Unfortunately, gum recession cannot be reversed. The tissue will not grow back but there are specific steps to take to keep the recession from getting worse.
Can a periodontist help with receding gums? ›
Treatment is available from the periodontist
Brushing and flossing alone cannot reverse gum recession. There are ways, though, to correct this condition. The patient may need a tissue graft of the gums. The periodontist can do this by taking tissue from the roof of the mouth or from under the roof of the mouth.
How long does it take for gums to heal from periodontal disease? ›
Early to moderate periodontal disease can take about 2 to 3 weeks to heal. However, healing can only occur with the proper intervention such as scaling and root planing. For severe Periodontal disease, the recovery times do vary. For example, with the proper treatment, some patients can recover in 5 to 8 weeks.
When is it too late to reverse gum disease? ›
It's never too late to seek treatment for gum disease, and the degree of treatment you require will depend on how advanced it is.
What is the best option for receding gums? ›
Gum graft surgery is the most predictable and long-lasting treatment option for gum recession. Typically, a periodontist (gum specialist) performs this procedure. During this surgery, a gum graft is used to replace your missing gum tissue.
Can you save your teeth if you have receding gums? ›
If gum tissue has been lost your dentist may suggest soft tissue, or gum graft, surgery. This is where tissue is grafted from surrounding gums or the roof of your mouth and stitched to the gum tissue to cover the exposed root of your tooth.
Can you have dental implants with poor gums? ›
Fortunately, most people considering implants will still qualify for the procedure even if they have periodontal disease, as long as that disease is being treated successfully. However, it may be necessary to delay the dental implant placement until the periodontal disease is under control.
The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive option for treating gum recession. Unlike traditional grafting techniques, PST is incision and suture free. Dr. Paul Chang is trained and certified to perform the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique.
Can I live with receding gums? ›
Receding gums isn't something you should ignore. Don't wait until it becomes a dental emergency. As soon notice its symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist. However, natural remedies can also help, especially if it's a mild case.
What's the best toothpaste for receding gums? ›
You may be wondering: what is the best toothpaste for receding gums? If you have sensitive teeth, consider using the daily dual action Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum toothpaste, which builds a protective layer over sensitive areas while removing plaque and bacteria to support gum health.
How do you fix receding gums without going to the dentist? ›
Below are some natural remedies that people can use alongside standard treatments for gum recession.
- Oil pulling. ...
- Herbal extracts. ...
- Antioxidants. ...
- Aloe vera gel. ...
- Septilin. ...
- Omega-3 fatty acids. ...
- Brushing and flossing.
The composite bonding material is put over the exposed root of teeth caused by receding gums. It also helps address sensitivity problems. Composite restoration is also aesthetically pleasing because the dentist can closely match the resin to the natural teeth.
Will gums grow back after periodontitis? ›
Your gums are a finite resource. Unfortunately, once they've pulled back from your teeth, they won't regenerate or regrow on their own.
Can you have healthy gums after periodontitis? ›
Gum disease isn't curable, but it's manageable with appropriate treatment. You can't cure it because once you lose structural support around your teeth, you don't usually get all of it back. However, periodontal treatment can reduce infection and rebuild your bone and tissue to some degree.
How do you reverse periodontal gum disease? ›
Proper oral hygiene practices, such as brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, can go a long way in preventing and reversing gum disease. Additionally, using an antibacterial mouthwash can help kill bacteria that contribute to gum inflammation.
How long does it take for gum tissue to regenerate? ›
On the other hand, gum tissues (gingiva) heal relatively quickly. Most gingiva at an extraction site or implant site will heal within a couple of weeks. Since only a small opening is made in the gingiva for implant surgery, you can expect minor soreness for 2-3 days.
What helps gums grow back? ›
Treating Recessed Gums
Since your gums won't regrow on their own to fill this space, your surgeon will remove affected tissue and smooth out the damaged bone to allow the gum tissue to reattach. Gum Grafts. This procedure helps to cover an exposed tooth root and prevent additional bone loss and gum recession.
