Can Receding Gums Grow Back?
Receding gums are a sign that the gums are unhealthy and gum disease is developing. In addition to the symptoms, this can be an early sign of more concerning issues to come, such as eventual bone and tooth loss. If identified early and addressed, receding gums and gum disease can be treated, and the gums can be returned to a healthy state. Below is more information on how to help receding gums bounce back.
Can Receding Gums Grow Back?
One of the common questions asked about receding gums is whether they grow back after being treated. Unfortunately, gum tissue doesn’t regenerate like skin tissue, so it will not grow back on its own. However, there are ways to restore and repair the gum tissue after receding gums are treated.
How Can You Fix Receding Gums?
Even though receding gums do not grow back, there are still effective approaches to preventing them from getting worse and to treating them. There are also approaches to reduce the appearance of receding gums if they do not fully recover.
Prevention
To stop receding gums from getting worse, start by making an appointment with your dental provider. The dentist will complete a comprehensive exam, determine how far the gums have receded, and establish the best steps to stop them from getting worse. If the gums have started to pull back to create pockets between the gum tissue and teeth where the bacteria can build up, one of the best places to start is a deep cleaning procedure. This procedure, called scaling and root planing, involves removing sticky plaque and hardened tartar from the teeth and under the gum line. Removing bacteria from the pockets will help slow down, and may even stop, the receding process. After initial treatment, the best way to maintain the result is to practice good daily oral hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing.
Treatment
For more severe cases of receding gums, a more involved treatment may be required to stop the progression and restore the health of the gums. Surgery is a common approach used to remove bacteria from under the gums or to replace gum tissue. Additional treatments include:
- Flap surgery: During flap surgery, a small incision is made in the gum to lift the tissue and remove plaque that cannot be reached during a deep cleaning procedure. This procedure is important for preventing bone loss.
- Tunnel technique: An alternative approach in which a small tunnel is created to reach and remove bacteria and infected gum material.
- Gum graft: To replace missing or damaged gum tissue, an oral surgeon may take gum tissue from another area of the mouth and place it around the receding area.
An estimated 75% of adults in the United States have some level of gum disease and receding gums. Even with good oral hygiene, aging and genetics can still lead to gum loss for many Americans. While gum tissue doesn’t grow back, there are many dental treatment options available to stop or slow further recession. If your gums are starting to pull back from your teeth, work with your dental provider to find an effective treatment approach to help restore your gums.
Related Article: Can You Fix Receding Gums?