Can Receding Gums Grow Back?
The truth? Not wishful thinking. If you have gum recession, your gum tissue does not grow back. Gum tissue does not regenerate the way other types of body tissue do, such as the epidermis, or the outer protective layer of your skin.
However, working with your dentist and a periodontist (gum specialist), you can effectively treat gum recession to prevent further damage. If not properly treated, gum recession can eventually cause infection in your jawbone and tooth loss.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Gum recession is a serious result of poor dental hygiene. Over time, bacteria from plaque accumulate on your teeth and gumline, damaging your gums and causing them to shrink away from your teeth. In advanced cases, pockets can form between your teeth and gums, which allows even more harmful bacteria and plaque to form in your mouth.
Gum recession is indicated by the following common symptoms:
- Bleeding gums after brushing or flossing
- Red, swollen gums
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- Pain while chewing
- Pain at the gumline caused by exposed tooth roots
A range of factors can cause gum recession:
- Plaque buildup, especially plaque that hardens over time into tartar
- Smoking or other tobacco use
- Brushing too aggressively over a long period of time
- Clenching or teeth grinding, especially while you sleep
- Hormonal changes in women
- Family history of gum disease
- Diabetes
- Normal aging
What Are Treatments for Gum Recession?
Treatment for gum recession depends on the cause of your individual condition. For advanced or severe cases, your dentist might suggest surgery to remove bacteria deep under your gums or grafting to replace missing gum tissue.
Your dentist or periodontist will provide any of the following common treatments for gum recession:
- Bonding. Your dentist applies gum-colored resin over the roots of your affected teeth, which reduces the appearance of receding gums and protects sensitive tooth roots.
- Scaling and Root Planing. Your dentist uses special instruments to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces and roots of your teeth.
- Flap Surgery. If scaling and root planing is not successful, your dentist or periodontist will make a small incision to lift your gum tissue, remove plaque and tartar buildup, and then stitch your gums back into place.
- Gum Graft. A periodontist uses gum tissue from another part of your mouth to replace tissue in areas of gum recession. The procedure reduces the appearance of receding gums and protects your teeth and jawbone from further damage.
- Laser Treatment. Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure® (LANAP®) has been shown to be an effective, non-invasive treatment for gum disease (periodontitis).
Are There Any Natural Remedies for Gum Recession?
Popular natural remedies for gum recession include drinking green tea, applying aloe vera to the gumline, or swishing coconut oil in the mouth. Each of these remedies can help improve your overall oral health by reducing plaque buildup and gum inflammation, but researchers caution that further study is needed, as none have shown evidence of any ability to make gum tissue grow back. At this stage of our medical and dental knowledge, there is no clinical or natural treatment that reverses gum recession.
How Can I Prevent Gum Recession?
The first step in treating gum recession is good oral hygiene at home to avoid future buildup of harmful bacteria in plaque. Gently brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush twice a day for at least two minutes, floss at least once a day before you brush, use an antimicrobial mouth rinse, and see your dentist every six months for checkups and professional cleaning.
Related Article: Can You Fix Receding Gums?