Can You Fix Receding Gums?

Marin Contemporary Perio & Implant Concepts

Gums that have receded will not grow back naturally, however there are treatment options available to restore your natural gum line, the most common being a gum graft procedure.

Although gum recession is typically due to periodontal disease, which is typically caused by poor dental hygiene, there are several other reasons why gum recession may occur, which include:

  • Genetic predisposition to periodontal disease
  • Aggressive brushing over an extended period of time
  • Smoking or other types of tobacco use
  • Grinding or clenching your teeth while sleeping (bruxism)
  • Malocclusion
  • Underlying health conditions, such as diabetes and HIV
  • Hormonal changes in women
  • Medications that cause dry mouth, which makes your mouth vulnerable to bacterial infections
  • Trauma to the mouth
  • Poor fitting dentures

While a gum graft procedure is an effective treatment option to correct receding gums, it may be necessary to pursue additional treatments if your gum recession is caused by any of the previously stated reasons.

Fixing Receding Gums Caused by Gum Disease

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 fixes 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 fixing 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.

Good Oral Hygiene Habits

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.  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.

More on Receding Gums : Treatments for Receding Gums

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When you come to Marin Contemporary Perio and Implant Concepts, you can expect a friendly and professional dental team. Dr. Seda will listen carefully to your dental goals and provide a custom treatment plan that works with your budget and needs. We want you to fall in love with your smile again, so all our services are performed with the patient in mind. We want you to feel comfortable in the dental chair, and to feel confident in our services.

At Marin Contemporary Perio and Implant Concepts, we aim to provide cutting edge perio and implant solutions in a comfortable and relaxed environment, where patients feel we put them first. Scheduling an appointment for All-on-4 Dental Implants is the first step towards being confident in your smile once again. To schedule an appointment, please contact us today at (415) 482-9901.