Can Receding Gums Grow Back?

Gum recession occurs when your gums pull back from the surface of your teeth, which exposes the roots of your teeth, making them vulnerable to infections and decay. Although gums that have receded will not grow back naturally, there are several treatment options available to correct gum disease and restore your natural gum line, the most common being a gum graft procedure.

Aside from visible signs of recession, other common indications that you may have periodontal disease that is causing your gums to recede include:

• Loose teeth
• Exposed tooth roots
• Visibly shrinking gums
• Pain at the gum line
• Bad breath
• Red and/or swollen gums
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing

If you have noticed any of these symptoms, make an appointment as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause of these symptoms and determine what treatment option is best suited for your particular needs. Because gums will not grow back naturally, it is important to treat this issue as early as possible to prevent further gum loss.

Diagnosing and Treating Gum Disease

In order to determine whether gum disease is the underlying cause of your gum recession, your dentist will use a probe to measure the depth of your gum pockets. Healthy pocket sizes should be between 1-3 millimeters, and anything larger will indicate that gum disease is present. If your gums have receded due to periodontal disease, it may be possible to halt the recession with a scale and root planing procedure, a simple procedure that involves removing plaque and bacteria that have accumulated on the surfaces of your teeth and below the gumline. Once removed, the root of your mouth is smoothed, which inhibits growth of additional bacteria and gives your gums a chance to heal.

For more severe cases of gum recession, it may be necessary to pursue surgical treatment, with either flap surgery or a gum graft. Flap surgery corrects gum disease by lifting up the gums to access and remove the bacteria and tartar buildup that was not accessible via the scale and root planing procedure, then sewing the gums up and allowing them to heal. While this is an effective method for correcting advanced gum disease, it will not correct the appearance of your teeth being longer. To correct that will require a gum graft procedure. During the procedure, grafting material is placed over the area of recession. This graft may be taken from the roof your mouth, donor tissue, or synthetic. Although gum grafting will restore your natural healthy gumline, it is important to be aware that it is still essential to continue practicing good oral hygiene to prevent your gums from receding again in the future.

Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Although your gums will not naturally grow back, there are steps you can take to prevent further recession from occurring. One of the most important things you can do to avoid further gum recession is to brush and floss your teeth twice daily. If your gums have receded due to aggressive brushing, be mindful of the force you are applying while brushing and use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Eating a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco products, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash will also significantly reduce your risk of gum recession caused by gum disease. Finally, the most important step you can take to preserving the health of your gums and teeth and avoiding issues like gum recession is to schedule regular dental examinations at least every six months. Scheduling these regular appointments ensures that your dentist or periodontist can monitor your oral health and identify and treat issues like gum recession as soon as possible.

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