Can You Fix Receding Gums?
Receding gums can develop gradually and can lead to exposure of the roots of your teeth or even cause discomfort. If gum tissue pulls away from teeth, it does not grow back naturally. However, there are reliable ways to address the issue and protect your oral health in the future. Depending on both the underlying cause and severity, the dentist may have a few options for you to consider.
Identifying what triggered the condition first helps in fixing receding gums. Aggressive brushing, periodontal disease, genetics, using tobacco, teeth grinding, or misaligned bites are the most common contributing factors. Your dental provider will assess these risk factors prior to treatment. The provider will also give a recommendation for adjustments to prevent any further tissue loss. For many cases, making changes to your daily care routine is a necessary first step for effective condition management.
When mild gum recession doesn’t involve active gum disease, the dentist may offer measures that seek to stabilize all of the tissue and halt any further damage. Switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush, brushing gently, and avoiding abrasive toothpastes can help reduce mechanical irritation. In order to help ease some discomfort, your provider might also apply a desensitizing agent or recommend a prescription toothpaste in the event that your teeth are sensitive because of exposed roots.
When gum disease plays a role in recession, you must first treat the infection. Scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning, removes plaque and bacteria from beneath the gumline. The tissue can then recover. Then, the tooth surface can reattach with more security. It improves gum health, often preventing further deterioration, though this doesn’t replace lost gum tissue.
If your gum recession affects your ability to keep your mouth free from infection or gum disease, you may need to consider surgical treatment options. One common approach is gum grafting. With this approach, additional tissue sourced from another place in your mouth or from a donor is placed directly over all of the exposed areas. After its placement, it integrates with the surrounding area in order to restore coverage and improve appearance as well as protect the roots of your teeth.
Certain cases use the pinhole surgical method as another technique. After a small opening is made in the gums of the affected area, the dentist gently repositions the gum tissue to cover the exposed root. Not every single patient is a good candidate for this technique, but it can offer a faster healing process without the need to use sutures.
Though receding gums cannot be reversed naturally, damage can be corrected or progression can be prevented via clear, effective ways. Doctors tailor treatment plans for each individual. They look at the size of the recession and at overall gum health to create a personalized treatment plan.
If you have more questions about gum recession or how addressing it could work as a part of your treatment plan to achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if your gums are receding.