If you have receding gums that are making your teeth look longer, you may be wondering if it’s possible to reverse this process. Can receding gums grow back? Or is the tissue gone for good? In this blog from Carmel Mountain Dental Care, we’ll explain the common causes of gum recession, and your options for treating it and restoring your gums and oral health.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Lots of different things can contribute to gum recession, and it’s usually caused by a combination of factors, such as:
Over brushing – Brushing your teeth and gums too hard can actually damage the enamel and your gums, particularly if you’re using a very stiff brush. Use a soft brush and be gentle to protect your gum tissue.
Gum disease – Gum recession is a common symptom of gum disease. As bacteria build up between the gums and teeth, the gum tissue will deteriorate and begin to recede.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) – Constantly grinding your teeth puts a lot of pressure on the gum tissue, which can lead to gum recession over time.
Gum tissue trauma – If you’ve experienced an oral injury, like a blow to the face while playing a sport, the tissue near the injured site may begin to recede as a response to the trauma.
Tobacco use – Tobacco restricts blood flow and healing, and can worsen gum recession caused by other factors like gum disease or teeth grinding.
You Need To See A Dentist To Get Treatment For Gum Recession
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.
For example, if you have gum recession due to gum disease, treatment like scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) can be used to eliminate bacteria, restore the health of the gums, and stop the further loss of gum tissue.
If you have a very significant gum recession, the best treatment is usually a gum graft. While your gums won’t grow back on their own, surgical treatment can be used to replace the missing tissue, and restore both your appearance and your oral health.
Gum grafting involves taking soft tissue from another part of the mouth and grafting it onto your gums. Usually, some tissue is removed from your palate, which is the soft, fleshy part of your upper mouth.
Using special tools and techniques, this tissue is anchored around your receding gums. Over time, the gum tissue heals around the graft, restoring the appearance, function, and health of your gums.
Get The Help You Need For Receding Gums At Carmel Mountain Dental Care!
Gum recession is not normal, and always indicates an issue with your oral health. No matter the cause, it’s important to get help and diagnose the root cause of receding gums, and the dentists at Carmel Mountain Dental Care are here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (858) 484-4880 to get the expert dental care you need in San Diego right away.
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
receding gums
The term 'receding gums' refers to when your gums draw back from your teeth, exposing the root beneath. The first sign tends to be increased tooth sensitivity, but you may also notice a tooth looks longer than normal or feel a notch where the gum meets the tooth (the area known as the gum line).
Receding gums cannot grow back. However, oral hygiene changes can stop gum recession, and some treatments can reconstruct gum tissue. Healthy gums fit snugly around the visible part, or the crown, of the teeth. Receding gums is when the gums pull back from the teeth, exposing each tooth and its roots further.
If your dentist notices that you have mild gum recession, they may try some nonsurgical treatments, such as topical antibiotics or dental bonding. If you have moderate to severe gum recession, they'll likely refer you to a periodontist or oral surgeon for a gum grafting consultation.
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.
Several non-invasive dental procedures like grum grafting, scaling, and root planing can help fix receding gums. If you use tobacco products, quitting can be an effective way to prevent and treat receding gums.
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.
A person can take some steps to help prevent receding gums. Firstly, they should avoid brushing their teeth too hard or vigorously or using a hard-bristled toothbrush. Instead, they should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid over-brushing, applying gentle strokes.
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.
The Corsodyl mouthwash helps with bleeding gums as well as recession, and it prevents gum disease. It is the go-to brand for many people with gum recession. Corsodyl contains an active ingredient called chlorhexidine digluconate, an antiseptic that kills bacteria that aren't layered onto the teeth.
Salt water acts as a natural disinfectant, helping to reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth. Rinsing with salt water can inhibit bacterial growth and promote a healthier oral environment, potentially preventing further gum recession.
Straumann Emdogain is an easy-to-apply, protein-based gel that is designed to promote predictable regeneration of lost periodontal hard and soft tissues caused by periodontitis, helping to save and preserve the tooth.
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.
Unfortunately, while gum massage carries many benefits, such as improving overall gum health, reducing plaque, and preventing future gum disease, there is no scientific evidence that it can help restore gums. According to Healthline, there is no single method to restore receding gums.
In some cases, it may be too late for gum grafting to save the gums. If your gums are severely damaged, receding so far back that they expose the tooth's root, or if there is significant bone loss from advanced gum disease, gum grafting may not be able to restore them to their healthy state.
But let's get this upfront: Coconut oil can't repair receding gums. But can coconut oil help fight off plaque-producing bacteria in the mouth that leads to gum disease and receding gums? Limited research shows oil pulling – swishing coconut oil in your mouth for several minutes – might be an oral care aid.
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