Receding Gums Can’t Grow Back, but Surgery Helps (2024)

Receding gums, or gingival recession, is an oral condition in which your gum tissue wears away or retracts. In doing so, it exposes more of the roots of the tooth it surrounds. While the problem can cause aesthetic issues, it also leaves affected teeth and their roots vulnerable to bacteria and decay.

While gingival recession can't be cured, it can be treated. In extreme cases, a soft-tissue graft can cover a portion of the exposed tooth root. Mild cases can be managed with proper brushing techniques and proper oral hygiene. Treatments such as orthodontics, antibiotics, and deep cleaning may help prevent further damage in mild to moderate cases.

This article explains how receding gums occur. It also describes treatments, causes, and ways to prevent or manage the problem.

Why Receding Gums Don't Naturally Stop Receding

Receding gums don't naturally stop receding because gum tissue does not regenerate. When the tissue is lost, you can't regrow gums. In addition, when gum tissue recedes, it pulls back and exposes the tooth and possibly the tooth root to bacteria and decay. The existing gum tissue is unable to reattach to the exposed area of the tooth because it is unhealthy due to bacteria.

Treatment for Receding Gums

The type of treatment you receive for receding gums depends on the extent of your gum recession. Your dentist will advise a personalized treatment plan based on your condition and other factors, such as your overall health. Common treatments include:

Minor Receding

Minor receding may not require treatment. If treatment is advised, it may involve:

• Gentle brushing techniques: To prevent further damage, your dentist may instruct you on how to use a special brushing technique. This can help you clean your teeth without causing further gingival recession. The technique involves gently moving the bristles back and forth at a 45-degree angle to your teeth. Many electric toothbrushes have sensors that help guide you.
• Desensitizing agents: Your dentist may recommend special toothpastes, varnishes, or other products to desensitize the nerve pain associated with the exposed root. Applying a desensitizing agent over an exposed root and leaving it in place for about 30 minutes may help to make you feel more comfortable.
• Antibiotics: Your dentist may apply antibiotics topically or insert them under the surface of your gum to treat gingival recession caused by an infection.
• Teeth scaling and root planing: Teeth scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning, is a dental treatment used to remove plaque (a sticky coating of bacteria) and tartar (hardened minerals) above and below your gumline. The accumulation of these substances in advanced gum disease can lead to gingival recession. This procedure is very effective in improving both tooth and gum health.
• Composite restoration: Composite restoration involves using pink-colored composite resin to cover a gap between your gum line and the neck of your tooth. This restores a more normal appearance and covers and protects an exposed tooth root.
• Gum veneers: Gum veneers are removable acrylic or silicone veneers that are used to replace missing or damaged gum tissue.
• Orthodontic treatment: Orthodontics may be used to reposition misaligned teeth that are contributing to gingival recession. Moving teeth into correct alignment can also help you properly brush and floss. An underbite or scissor bite is a huge contributor to severe recession on the lower front teeth. When caught early, some mild recession can rebound and look almost normal. Get intervention early if you notice a crossbite or scissor bite.
  

Dental Surgeries

If you have advanced gingival recession, you may benefit from flap surgery, also known as flap scaling or pocket reduction surgery. This procedure is an extensive type of deep cleaning performed by a periodontist or oral surgeon.

The procedure removes the tartar and bacterial deposits in deep pockets in your tooth roots. The procedure involves pulling back your gums, cleaning the tooth roots, repairing damaged bone, and removing damaged tissue. The gum tissue is sutured back in place to fit more snugly around your tooth.

Severe Receding Gums With Infection

For severe receding gums with infection, treatment usually involves a grafting procedure performed by a periodontist or dental surgeon. This includes:

• Soft-tissue grafting: This treatment uses soft tissue from the roof of your mouth or commercially processed donor skin tissue. The replacement tissue is surgically transplanted to the damaged area, where it is attached to reinforce the recessed gums and stabilize the teeth it supports.
• Bone grafting: This tissue uses fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone to replace damaged bone. It allows your bone to regrow and provide better stabilization for your teeth.

Factors That Trigger Receding Gums

Factors that trigger receding gums or increase your risk of having them include:

• Overly aggressive brushing or flossing: Inappropriate, overly aggressive daily oral hygiene can cause temporary and long-lasting trauma to the delicate gingival tissue. Brushing too vigorously and/or using harsh toothpaste and other oral agents can wear away tooth enamel and physically wound your gums, making you susceptible to gum recession.
• Periodontal disease (severe gum infection) from poor dental hygiene: Incorrect or inconsistent brushing and flossing, along with other habits of poor dental hygiene, allow bacteria to build up between your gums and teeth. Without treatment, this can cause inflammation in the surrounding tissue. Over time, the inflamed gingival tissue can deteriorate along with a gradual loss of the supporting bone structure. This can cause gum recession and periodontal disease.
• Periodontal disease treatment: Certain treatments for periodontal disease, such as teeth scaling and root planing or gum surgeries, can involve considerable gingival tissue loss or the need for the surgical removal of diseased tissue. Gum recession can result from this type of tissue loss.
• Occlusal trauma: Occlusal trauma involves damage to normal, healthy teeth as a result of excessive force, resulting in misalignment. Tooth movement can damage and stretch gingival fibers, resulting in receding gums at or near the site. This includes orthodontic underbite, scissor bite, and crossbite.
• Genetics: You may be prone to gum recession due to natural abnormal tooth positioning. It is also possible to have a genetic predisposition to gingival recession due to weak gums, thin gum tissue, or other physical features that make your gums more likely to recede.
  
• Tobacco use: Smoking, chewing, and using other forms of tobacco can damage the gum tissue, resulting in gum recession. Tobacco is known to inhibit saliva flow and inhibit your immune system, which allows for plaque buildup and eventual gum recession.
• Certain health conditions: Living with certain systemic illnesses such as diabetes or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS and taking their medications can weaken your gums and make them more susceptible to gum recession.
• Hormonal changes in women: The hormone fluctuations that affect people in life stages such as puberty (reaching physical maturation), pregnancy, and menopause (time of life when the menstrual cycle has ended for 12 straight months) can affect blood flow to your gums and increase your risk of gum disease and eventual gum recession.
  

How to Prevent Receding Gum Progression

You may be able to prevent receding gum progression and further damage to your gums with proper daily oral hygiene, which involves the following strategies:

• Brush twice a day: Brush twice a day, preferably once at night, for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste. You may be advised to use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth that does not contain harsh abrasives.
• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush: Brushing with soft bristles reduces the risk of tooth and gum damage. Avoid hard bristles that can damage tooth enamel. Replace toothbrushes that have worn bristles often to ensure the best results.
• Practice a gentle brushing technique: Use mild to moderate pressure when brushing. Avoid aggressive brushing. Instead, practice using motions that involve small circles or very short back-and-forth strokes.
• Floss daily: Flossing between your teeth removes dental plaque. It also reduces your risk of gum disease, which can aggravate existing gum recession.
• Maintain regular dental checkups as advised: Regular checkups and teeth cleanings allow your dentist to monitor your receding gums. If you notice changes in the way your gums appear or feel between appointments, contact your dentist or periodontist (gum specialist) for an immediate consultation.
  

Summary

Receding gums, or gingival recession, is a condition in which your gums pull back away from your teeth. This leaves your tooth roots exposed to germs and raises your risk of further gum damage.

When found early, changes in brushing methods, antibiotics, orthodontics, and other minor treatments can help prevent further damage. In more severe cases with infection, you may need a soft tissue or bone graft to replace the lost tissue or bone. These treatments can help restore the health and function of your gums and the teeth they surround.

Preventing further gum recession involves proper dental hygiene, which includes daily brushing and flossing. Maintain a schedule of regular dental checkups and cleanings. This allows your dentist to observe your mouth for changes in receding gums and advise proper treatments early. This can help you preserve your gums and teeth for as long as possible.