What are receding gums?
Receding gums, also known as gingival recession, refers to the loss of gum tissue along the gumline. This can expose more of the teeth and roots. Gum recession is a common problem in adults over the age of 40, but it can happen at any age. The early signs of receding gums are sensitivity, tooth decay, and increasingly visible tooth roots. If left untreated, receding gums can lead to loose teeth, infections, tooth loss, and other dental problems.
What causes receding gums?
There are several potential causes of receding gums:
– Periodontal disease – Also called gum disease, this bacterial infection damages gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. It’s the most common cause of receding gums.
– Aggressive brushing – Brushing too hard and using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down gum tissue over time.
– Poor oral hygiene – Not properly removing plaque can lead to tartar buildup and gum irritation.
– Smoking and tobacco use – Chemicals in tobacco products can affect gum health.
– Clenching and grinding teeth – This excessive pressure can pull gum tissue away from the teeth.
– Crooked teeth – Teeth that don’t line up properly can cause uneven gum levels and localized recession.
– Hormonal changes – Fluctuations in female hormones during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can increase gum sensitivity and recession.
– Genetics – Some people are predisposed to thinner gums and bone that resorb (deteriorate) more easily.
– Medications – Some drugs like oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, and calcium channel blockers are linked to gum overgrowth and recession.
– Chronic medical conditions – Diseases like diabetes and HIV/AIDS raise the risk of gum problems.
– Ill-fitting dentures or braces – Poorly designed dentures and braces that don’t fit properly can rub and irritate the gums.
– Mouth injuries – Trauma to the gums from aggressive flossing, sport injuries, and accidents can cause recession.
Are receding gums permanent?
In most cases, receding gums are a progressive condition that worsens over time without treatment. The gum damage that leads to recession is largely permanent. However, new techniques allow for soft tissue grafts that can cover exposed roots and restore some gumline height. The prognosis depends on the cause and extent of the recession. Mild to moderate recession can often be corrected or improved with proper dental treatment. Severe gum loss may be impossible to fix completely, but its progression can be halted. So while receding gums themselves may be permanent, it is possible to stop further recession and restore partial gum coverage.
Factors affecting the permanence of receding gums
– Degree of gum loss – Slight recession is easier to treat than severe, extensive loss. Mild cases may regain close to normal gum levels, while large amounts of recession are difficult to replace.
– Source of gum recession – Gum disease-related recession has the poorest prognosis for complete reversal. Other causes like brushing too hard are more reversible.
– Ongoing aggravating factors – Habits like smoking and teeth grinding accelerate gum recession. Eliminating these factors improves the chances of gum regrowth.
– Oral hygiene – Excellent daily brushing and flossing helps gums reattach and regenerate. Poor hygiene virtually guarantees permanent recession.
– Overall health – Medical issues like hormonal changes, diabetes, and nutritional/vitamin deficiencies impair gum healing. Treating them boosts gum treatment success.
– Compliance with treatment – Following all professional cleaning, medication, grafting, and at-home care instructions gives the best outcome. Non-compliance lowers the chances of gum regrowth.
Can receding gums grow back?
It is possible for receding gums to grow back, especially when treated early. A variety of gum recession treatments aim to regenerate lost gum tissue:
– Good oral hygiene – This is the foundation of receding gum treatment. Regular brushing, flossing, antiseptic mouthwash use, and professional cleanings remove bacteria-laden plaque and tartar that irritate gums and cause further recession.
– Scaling and root planing – A deep cleaning below the gumline smoothes root surfaces, allowing gums to reattach to teeth.
– Medications – Prescription antimicrobial mouthrinses and antibiotics kill germs that prevent gum healing.
– Gum grafts – Soft tissue grafts taken from the roof of the mouth are sutured over exposed roots to add gum thickness. This stimulates tissue regeneration.
– Pinhole surgical technique – Small pinholes are made in the existing gum tissue so it can be manipulated to cover exposed roots.
– Dental splinting – Splints are used to stabilize mobile teeth and prevent worsening recession.
– Laser therapy – Lasers remove bacteria and diseased gum tissue, encouraging healthy new attachment.
With early intervention, diligent oral care, and gum restorative treatments, many cases of receding gums can be partially or completely reversed. Mild to moderate recession often regrows with proper dental care. More advanced cases may regain only partial gum coverage, but further recession is prevented.
How much gum regrowth is possible?
Most sources indicate 1-2 mm of gum regrowth is possible with professional treatment and excellent at-home oral hygiene. The amount of regeneration depends on:
– Baseline gum recession – Milder cases typically regain more lost gum. Severe recession is limited in what can be reversed.
– Treatment timeliness – Treating early recession results in better gum regrowth. Long-term severe recession has lower regrowth potential.
– Cause – Gum disease-related recession is less reversible than recession from traumatic brushing.
– Oral habits – Eliminating smoking and other harmful habits assists gum regrowth.
– Patient compliance – Meticulous at-home oral care is vital for optimal gum regrowth.
– Health and genetics – Some medical conditions and genetic traits make gum regeneration more challenging.
While complete reversal may not be possible, even 1 mm of gum regrowth can protect tooth roots and improve gum health. Stopping disease progression is also a worthy treatment goal. With newer techniques, many patients achieve approximately 1-3 mm of gum tissue regrowth.
Treatment options for receding gums
Several treatment approaches can address receding gums, depending on the severity:
Basic oral care
Practicing excellent daily oral hygiene is the first line of defense against gum recession. Effective brushing, flossing, antiseptic mouthwash use, tobacco cessation, and professional cleanings remove the bacteria-laden plaque that irritates gum tissues. This facilitates gum reattachment and regrowth.
Deep cleanings
Deep cleanings like scaling and root planing reach below the gumline to remove tartar from tooth roots. Smoothing the root surfaces provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach. This can help mild to moderate recession.
Medications
Prescription antimicrobial mouthwashes and antibiotics kill bacteria missed by oral hygiene. Reducing infection and inflammation helps inflamed gums heal and regenerate tissue lost to recession.
Gum grafts
Soft tissue grafts from the patient’s palate are sutured over exposed roots in recession areas. By adding gum thickness, grafts cover unsightly roots and stimulate growth of new attachment fibers. It’s considered the gold standard for treating moderate to severe recession.
Pinhole surgical technique
This minimally invasive technique releases and manipulates the existing gum tissue to cover exposed roots. Tiny pinholes let gum tissue advance without sutures or grafting. There’s little to no recovery time.
Laser therapy
Lasers remove diseased gum tissue and bacteria deep within gum pockets. This disinfection and tissue removal allow healthier gum attachment and reduced pocket depth. Lasers may be used alone or with grafts.
Splinting loose teeth
Mobile teeth can be splinted together. This stabilizes them, preventing traumatic occlusion that worsens recession. It may be combined with soft tissue grafting procedures.
Home remedies for receding gums
Alongside professional treatment, these home remedies can support gum health and regrowth:
– Maintain impeccable oral hygiene with brushing, flossing, and antiseptic mouthwash use.
– Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid aggressive brushing.
– Gently massage swollen, irritated gums with a clean finger to stimulate circulation.
– Rinse daily with salt water to reduce inflammation and cleanse bacteria from the gums.
– Drink green tea, shown to restrict growth of periodontal bacteria due to its antioxidants.
– Eat fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C like citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes, and strawberries to support gum tissue regeneration.
– Apply aloe vera gel directly to the gums due to its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
– Use tea tree, peppermint, or clove oil mixed with water as a natural antiseptic mouthwash.
– Take coenzyme Q10 and omega 3 supplements to enhance tissue and bone growth.
– Avoid tobacco and irritants like citrus, carbonated drinks, and alcohol that aggravate gum recession.
While home remedies can’t reverse recession alone, they help fight infection and inflammation to support the gums’ natural regeneration ability.
When to see a dentist
Schedule an appointment if you notice:
– Gum swelling, redness, or tenderness
– Bleeding when brushing or flossing
– Halitosis or a persistent bad taste
– Visible gum recession and increasing tooth root exposure
– Teeth feeling loose, sensitive, or like they’ve “lengthened”
– Tooth decay near the gumline
– Abscesses, sores, or pus around the gums
Gum recession should be evaluated promptly before significant tissue loss occurs. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of regaining lost gum tissue. Letting gum problems go unchecked allows progressive, permanent damage to the gums and bone. Seeing a dentist at the first sign of recession provides the most treatment options and optimal outcome.
Long-term prognosis
With early expert treatment and meticulous at-home care, mild gum recession has an excellent chance of regrowth and stabilization. More extensive recession may partially regain lost gum tissue with grafting procedures. While some permanent gum loss is likely with long-term, severe recession, treatment halts further progression. Stopping disease activity and preserving remaining gum health are positive outcomes. With periodic dental cleanings, daily oral hygiene, and ongoing attention to gum health, the prognosis for kept recession is good.
Prevention
While gum recession cannot always be prevented, these practices promote healthy gums and reduce recession risk:
– Maintain excellent oral hygiene with proper daily brushing and flossing to inhibit bacterial plaque buildup.
– Use a soft-bristled brush and avoid aggressive brushing.
– Get regular dental cleanings and exams every 6 months.
– Have any restorative dentistry needs addressed promptly.
– Wear a custom nightguard if you grind your teeth.
– Stop tobacco use and avoid irritants like alcohol, carbonated drinks, and citrus.
– Manage health conditions like diabetes that increase gum problems.
– Take dietary supplements that support gum health like Vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 and omega 3s.
– Get prompt treatment for symptoms of gum disease like swelling, sensitivity, and bleeding.
– Follow any periodontal treatment plans and maintenance schedule.
While gum recession cannot always be prevented, practicing diligent oral hygiene and getting regular dental care provide the best chance of avoiding it. Proper home care and professional treatment can also halt existing recession and regrow some lost gum tissue for improved function and aesthetics. Be vigilant about gum health for optimal treatment outcome and oral wellness.
Conclusion
Receding gums are a common condition where the gumline pulls away and exposes tooth roots. While gum recession itself cannot be fully reversed, many cases can regain partial gum coverage with prompt treatment and excellent oral hygiene. Grafting procedures, antibiotics, oral rinsing, and laser therapy help regenerate gum tissue to cover exposed roots. 1-3 mm of gum regrowth is typical when caught early. Ongoing gum disease causes extensive recession that cannot be completely undone. However, further progression can be prevented with diligent at-home care and professional maintenance. Practicing excellent daily brushing and flossing, getting regular dental cleanings, following treatment instructions, and addressing risk factors provide the best chances of halting recession. With early intervention and proper oral care, positive outcomes can be achieved.