Healthy gums play a significant role in keeping your smile bright and shining. Unfortunately, one of the threats to your smile is losing gums as they recede from your teeth. Gum recession is common, and occurrence rates are between seventy and one hundred percent as you age. With such a high frequency, it is no surprise that a frequently asked question is, “Can gums grow back after they recede?”
If you have bleeding gums, schedule an appointment at Trident Dental for a comprehensive oral examination and professional teeth cleaning.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Healthy gums are pink and fit tightly around your teeth to cover and protect your teeth’s roots. However, when the gums begin to recede, your teeth and surrounding bone become vulnerable to dental problems. Gum recession can occur due to:
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Brushing your teeth with excessive force.
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Brushing with an incorrect technique, such as using a horizontal motion.
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Brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush.
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Genetics.
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Gingivitis or gum disease.
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Age.
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Clenching or grinding your teeth.
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Misaligned teeth or improper bite.
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Using tobacco products.
Problems Caused By Gum Recession
Healthy gums are critical to maintaining oral health. Once gums get damaged, the process can continue and cause problems, such as:
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Teeth that become hypersensitive to hot and cold.
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Teeth that appear elongated.
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Increased risk of tooth decay.
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Gum infections.
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Accumulation of bacteria beneath the gum that might contribute to health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
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Tooth abscesses.
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Loose teeth.
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Loss of teeth.
Can Gums Grow Back?
Gums cannot grow back on their own after receding. However, stem cell research is ongoing. Many experts believe that growing gums and jaw bone lost to periodontal disease may be far in the near future. Until this treatment becomes available, you can take advantage of periodontal procedures to arrest the loss of gum and prevent future gum recession.
Treatment For Gum Recession
Although damage to your gums is not reversible, several treatments are available to prevent future loss of gum tissue. Depending on the severity of gum recession, one or more of these treatments could be recommended:
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Deep cleaning. Also known as scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning is often recommended once a gum problem is diagnosed. It differs from a regular cleaning because it goes beneath the gum line to clean pockets that form due to gum disease. The goal of a deep cleaning is to remove plaque and tartar from the root surfaces. The roots are smoothed, which makes it easier for you to keep them clean and prevent further damage to the gums. Deep cleaning is most effective for mild cases of gum disease.
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Soft tissue grafting. Soft tissue is taken from another area, such as the palate, and used to cover the root exposed by receding gums.
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Bone grafting. For more severe gingival recession cases involving significant bone loss, bone grafts can help treat and prevent further loss of bone and gum tissue.
Schedule Appointment
You can help prevent further gum loss with regular dental checkups and cleanings with our team of caring oral health professionals.