Can You Fix Receding Gums?

Gum recession is a condition in which the gum tissue pulls away from the surface of the tooth. The gum pockets between the tooth and the gum tissue deepen, and teeth begin to appear longer than they once were. Receding gums can cause extreme sensitivity at the tooth roots and can even lead to loose teeth and bone loss.

Can you fix receding gums?

A periodontist is a dental professional who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease, which is the leading cause of gum recession. Other factors that can cause or exacerbate gum recession include smoking, bruxism, brushing too hard, and even genetics. There are also some prescription medications that can cause dry mouth and gum recession.

Depending on the severity of gum recession, it can be treated. For patients with mild recession and periodontal disease, a deep cleaning may be all that is needed. A deep cleaning is called scaling and root planing and is performed by a periodontist, though some dental offices do offer it as well. The difference between scaling and root planing and a regular dental cleaning is that a local anesthetic is used to keep the patient comfortable while the provider uses hand and ultrasonic tools to clean tartar and bacteria from below the gum line. Removing the buildup allows the gum tissue to heal closer to the tooth surface.

Even patients who have severe recession have treatment options. If scaling and root planing will not suffice, your periodontist will present other treatment options. Some of the more common treatments include flap surgery and gum grafting.

Flap surgery is where an incision is made in the gum tissue vertically along the affected tooth. The tissue is then flapped back, exposing the tooth root and allowing the doctor to clean away any tartar and bacterial buildup. They may also smooth the tooth root surface before suturing the tissue back in place.

A gum graft is a procedure in which tissue is placed over the affected area and secured with stitches. The tissue can either be harvested from the patient’s mouth, most often the roof of the mouth, or donor tissue or synthetic tissue can be used.

While it is true that gum recession can be treated, it is of course best to prevent it in the first place. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of gum recession, and periodontal disease develops most often from poor oral hygiene. Taking the time to properly brush your teeth at least twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing at least once daily can save you a lot of time and money.

Periodontal disease should be addressed as soon as it is identified. Left untreated, patients risk tooth and bone loss, and studies show a clear link between periodontal disease and other medical conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and dementia.

If you notice any new or worsening tooth sensitivity, swelling, or bleeding in your gum tissue, speak with your dentist as soon as possible to be evaluated for periodontal disease so that you can begin treatment right away. The sooner it is caught, the easier it is to treat!

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