Stop Receding Gums from Getting Worse (2024)

Although gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons, the most common is due to gum disease. Along with visible signs of recession, other common indications that your gums are receding due to periodontal disease 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 and determine what treatment option is best suited for your particular needs. To prevent gum recession from getting worse, it is essential that you address the issue as soon as possible.

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 they are removed, the root of your mouth is smoothed, which inhibits growth of additional bacteria and gives your gums a chance to heal.

For extreme 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 in order to remove the bacteria and tartar buildup that was not accessible via the scale and root planing procedure, then sewing the gums up to allow for 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.

Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Once your gums have healed and/or periodontal disease is under control, it is important to take precautionary measures to avoid developing similar issues in the future and stop your receding gums from getting worse. 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 Gum Recession : Gum Recession Symptoms

Stop Receding Gums from Getting Worse (2024)

FAQs

Can you stop gum recession from getting worse? ›

The best thing to do is have regular check ups with your dentist, as a professional can identify and treat gum problems. This is particularly important with receding gums as getting treatment as soon as possible is the best way to stop them from getting worse.

Can receding gums be reversed? ›

It's caused by a number of factors, including aggressive brushing, smoking and even genetics. Treatments include antibiotics, antimicrobial mouth rinses and surgery. Gum recession can't be reversed, but treatment can prevent it 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.

How long does it take for receding gums to get worse? ›

Gum recession happens slowly over time. It doesn't happen overnight although it may seem like it does following treatment for periodontal disease or if you have aggressive periodontal disease. In some instances, heightened awareness of gingival recession may make you think that it is getting worse quickly.

How do you stop gum recession ASAP? ›

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a fluoridated mouthwash will help you keep a healthy smile and will indeed help stop gum recession in its tracks. But for the healthiest mouth, you need to get professional dental cleanings too.

How to fix gum recession at home? ›

Below are some natural remedies that people can use alongside standard treatments for gum recession.
  1. Oil pulling. ...
  2. Herbal extracts. ...
  3. Antioxidants. ...
  4. Aloe vera gel. ...
  5. Septilin. ...
  6. Omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  7. Brushing and flossing.
Sep 30, 2020

Can I live with receding gums? ›

Receding gums refer to when gums wear away or become pushed back, exposing the roots of the teeth. Receding gums become a health concern, leaving the teeth at risk of decay, infection, and loss. Gums might also recede around a tooth if it is in an abnormal position.

Why are my gums receding so quickly? ›

Insufficient dental care. Inadequate brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash makes it easy for plaque to turn into calculus (tartar) -- a hard substance that builds on and between your teeth and can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. It can lead to gum recession.

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.

At what age do gums start receding? ›

Receding gums are more likely to affect people over 30, but aging does not necessarily cause it. Gum recession is often a symptom of gum disease, an infection of gum tissues caused by the bacteria inside plaque and tartar. These microorganisms build these substances, which house them, and the acids that they make.

What toothpaste is best for receding gums? ›

Corsodyl Toothpaste

Chlorhexidine is the active ingredient in Corsodyl, working as an antiseptic in your mouth. Various mouth conditions such as thrush, mouth ulcers, cleaning wisdom teeth, and improving gum disease, which results in gum recession, receive help from Corsodyl besides battling against receding gums.

Do gum stimulators really work? ›

While the research supporting their effectiveness is still catching up, they're generally considered safe if used gently and properly. A gum stimulator may be just the tool you need if your dental professional recommends one for gum disease, or you find them helpful to best clean between your teeth.

Will teeth fall out if gums recede? ›

The gaps that the receding gums create allow bacteria in. The bacteria can cause tooth decay and other problems for the teeth. The damaged teeth are more likely to fall out as a result. The bacteria build-up can also lead to gum disease which will endanger the teeth as well.

Is it too late to save my receding gums? ›

Definitely not! Simply put, it's never too late to treat gum disease and get your gums healthy, especially since untreated periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.

Can you push receding gums back? ›

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.

Can gum recession go back to normal? ›

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.

Can gum recession be slowed down? ›

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.

Can you stop gum disease from progressing? ›

People who have very early periodontal disease (gingivitis) may be able to reverse the condition with routine dental cleaning and improved oral hygiene. Because there's no bone loss yet, this conservative approach gets rid of harmful oral bacteria before the disease has a chance to progress.

What speeds up gum recession? ›

Aggressive brushing: Vigorous brushing can irritate and damage the gums, making them more vulnerable to bacterial infections and recession. Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menopause and pregnancy make gums more sensitive and vulnerable to gum disease and recession.

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