Can Receding Gums Grow Back? What You Should Know  | Carmel Mountain Dental Care (2024)

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.

Can Receding Gums Grow Back? What You Should Know  | Carmel Mountain Dental Care (2024)

FAQs

Can Receding Gums Grow Back? What You Should Know  | Carmel Mountain Dental Care? ›

You Need To See A Dentist To Get Treatment For Gum Recession

Can you really grow back receding gums? ›

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.

How can I stimulate my gums to regenerate? ›

How Can You Rebuild Your Gums Naturally?
  1. Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is a popular age-long practice for removing plaques and other food particles from the mouth with natural oils. ...
  2. Salt Water. ...
  3. Eucalyptus Oil. ...
  4. Brushing Correctly. ...
  5. Peppermint Essential Oil. ...
  6. Green Tea. ...
  7. Flossing Regularly. ...
  8. Hydrogen Peroxide.

Can dentist do anything with receding gums? ›

Gum recession treatment largely depends on what caused the condition. Mild cases of gum recession may be improved with nonsurgical treatments, such as topical antibiotics, dental bonding or orthodontics. In most instances, however, gum recession surgery is needed to fully correct the problem.

How to stop gum recession from getting worse? ›

Good Oral Hygiene Habits

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.

How to repair a gum recession without surgery? ›

Pinhole technique is another option that offers an alternative to surgery for gum disease treatment. It is a minimally invasive treatment that helps address gum recession. Pinhole technique involves making small holes in your gum line, pinholes.

What is the new treatment for receding gums? ›

The pinhole gum rejuvenation surgery is a game-changer in addressing receding gums and is utilized by very few dentists in Charlotte because it is such a new technique. The gum rejuvenation treatment is completely safe and is actually less invasive and traumatic than traditional gum grafting.

When is it too late to reverse gum disease? ›

It's never too late to treat periodontal disease. In fact, gum disease will only worsen the longer you delay treatment. Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. over 30 exhibit some form of periodontal disease or periodontitis. But the percentage skyrockets to 70 percent for those 65 and older.

Can massaging gums reverse receding gums? ›

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.

What mouthwash is best for receding gums? ›

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.

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.

Does salt water help receding gums? ›

Benefits of Using Salt Water for Receding Gums

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.

What gel helps your gums grow back? ›

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.

How to brush teeth with gum recession? ›

Don't brush roughly when trying to get all the grub and plaque away. Instead, massage your brush into your teeth with gentle pressure, moving slowly and methodically around your teeth. Use short motions, about one tooth wide, to reduce the friction on your gums.

What makes a gum recession worse? ›

Poor oral hygiene, medical conditions such as diabetes, teeth grinding while sleeping, smoking, ill-fitting dentures, or trauma to the mouth such as piercing of a lip or tongue, or even brushing your teeth too hard can cause gums to recede. Gum recession tends to happen gradually over a period of time.

When is it too late for gum grafting? ›

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.

Why are my gums receding in my 20s? ›

Receding gums is when the gum tissue around the teeth wears away, exposing the tooth roots. While this condition is commonly associated with aging, it can also affect individuals in their 20s. Gum recession can be caused by genetics, gum disease, aggressive brushing, tobacco use, and hormonal changes.

How to brush teeth with receding gums? ›

Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle along the line of the gums. Don't hold the brush flat against your teeth. This lets the brush skim the surface without getting into the crevices where bacteria and plaque hide.

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