Gum recession is a common dental condition where the gum tissue surrounding the teeth wears away, exposing more of the tooth surface. This can lead to increased tooth sensitivity, decay, and even tooth loss if left untreated. Many people wonder if it’s possible to regrow receded gums naturally or if surgery is required. The good news is that in many cases, receded gums can grow back with the right treatment plan.
What causes gum recession?
There are several potential causes of gum recession:
- Periodontal disease – Bacterial plaque buildup on teeth can cause inflammation and infection of the gums, known as gingivitis. If left untreated, this can progress to periodontitis and destroy gum and bone tissue.
- Aggressive brushing – Overly vigorous tooth brushing over time can wear away gums.
- Poor oral hygiene – Not brushing and flossing properly leads to plaque buildup and can irritate gums.
- Grinding or clenching teeth – Putting excessive force on teeth can traumatize gum tissue.
- Ill-fitting dental work – Loose fillings or crowns, rough edges on restorations can rub and irritate gums.
- Hormonal changes – Fluctuating hormones during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause may make gums sensitive.
- Smoking – Chemicals in tobacco can damage gum tissues.
- Clenching or grinding teeth – Excessive forces from these habits can traumatize gums.
- Diabetes – Poor blood sugar control can reduce gum health.
- Medications – Some drugs like blood pressure medications may affect gum growth.
- Genetics – Some people are more susceptible to gum recession due to inherited traits.
The common thread is that inflammation, whether from bacteria or other sources of irritation, can damage the gum attachment to teeth and cause recession.
Can receded gums grow back?
In mild to moderate cases of gum recession, it is often possible to regrow lost gum tissue, particularly in young patients. Treatments aim to reduce inflammation and stimulate the body’s natural gum regrowth.
With proper oral hygiene and professional treatment, gum regrowth can occur through:
- New connective tissue attachment – Tissue fibers reattach the gumline to the tooth surface.
- Long junctional epithelium – New gum cells grow and adhere to the tooth.
However, severely receded gums may not grow back completely in some cases due to extensive tissue loss. Surgical grafting procedures may be needed.
What helps regrow receded gums naturally?
Here are some tips to help stimulate natural gum regrowth:
Improve oral hygiene
- Brush twice daily with soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss daily.
- Use antibacterial mouthwash.
- Get routine dental cleanings.
Controlling plaque is crucial for allowing gums to heal.
Quit smoking
Smoking impairs blood flow to gums and slows healing. Quitting facilitates gum regrowth.
Manage medical conditions
Get diabetes, hormonal disorders, etc under control, as these affect gum health.
Take supplements
Vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10 and Green tea may help gums regrow due to anti-inflammatory effects.
Use aloe vera gel
Massaging gums with aloe vera gel helps reduce inflammation and promote regrowth.
Rinse with salt water
Rinsing with warm salt water helps reduce bacteria and eases symptoms.
Professional dental treatments
Your dentist may recommend these procedures to stimulate gum regrowth:
Scaling and root planing
This deep cleaning under the gums removes plaque and tartar from root surfaces to allow gums to reattach.
Medications
Antibiotics or prescription strength antimicrobial rinses may be prescribed to resolve gum infection.
Laser therapy
Lasers help reduce inflammation and promote attachment of gum tissue.
Pinhole surgical technique
Small incisions are made in the gums to reposition tissue without stitches or scalpels.
Gum graft surgery
Healthy gum tissue can be transplanted to fill areas with severe recession.
Do receding gums ever grow back without treatment?
It’s unlikely that severely receded gums can grow back completely on their own without implementing proper oral hygiene habits and getting treatment. The gums may appear to grow back partially, but likely only due to swelling and inflammation rather than true tissue regrowth. Leaving recession untreated allows further progression.
How long does it take for receding gums to grow back?
With diligent oral care and treatment, it may take around 2-3 months to see initial results from gum regrowth, though the process can take 6 months up to a year for more significant recession. Progress depends on factors like:
- Severity of the recession
- Type of treatment
- Oral hygiene status
- Patient’s overall health
Consistency with oral care habits and following your dentist’s treatment plan is key during the healing process.
Can receding gums grow back after periodontal disease?
Receding gums due to periodontal disease may have a good chance of growing back with treatment. However, tissue loss is often more severe. Results also depend on how well inflammation can be controlled long-term and compliance with dental visits.
Here is a table summarizing the likelihood of gum regrowth with different stages of periodontal disease:
| Disease Stage | Likelihood of Gum Regrowth |
|---|---|
| Gingivitis (mild) | Good chance of regrowth |
| Early Periodontitis (moderate) | Moderate chance of regrowth |
| Advanced Periodontitis (severe) | Lower chance of regrowth |
The earlier periodontal disease is treated, the better the outcomes for gum regrowth. Even in advanced cases, improving oral hygiene and managing inflammation can prevent further recession.
Can gums grow back after pregnancy?
Gums that have receded due to pregnancy often have an excellent chance of growing back. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can increase inflammation and gum sensitivity. With hormonal balance restored post-pregnancy and diligent oral health habits, the gums should be able to reattach themselves within a few months.
Do gums grow back after deep cleaning?
A professional deep cleaning is designed to help receded, inflamed gums grow back. During the procedure, plaque and tartar deposits are removed below and slightly under the gumline, allowing the gums to reattach to clean tooth surfaces. Reducing bacteria in this way curtails inflammation and promotes healing.
Along with ongoing oral care, healing after a deep cleaning may take approximately 6-8 weeks. Some regeneration can occur gradually over the next several months. Regular dental cleanings are needed to maintain results.
How can I tell if my gums are growing back?
Signs that receded gums are growing back successfully include:
- Gums look less red, swollen or inflamed
- Gum bleeding when brushing and flossing reduces
- Gum tissue feels firmer vs. puffy
- Tooth roots are starting to get covered again
- Pockets between teeth and gums get shallower
- Gum line moves closer up towards the crowns of teeth
Your dentist can monitor and measure gum recession to assess if tissues are regrowing and attaching properly. Regular dental visits and tackling problems early optimizes long-term gum health.
Are there downsides to gum regrowth treatments?
While conservative options carry little risk, be aware of these potential gum regrowth treatment downsides:
- Cost – Dental treatments and procedures can get expensive, especially if not covered by insurance.
- Time commitment – Frequent dental visits are required during the regrowth process. Healing takes months.
- Discomfort – Certain procedures cause pain or sensitivity for a few days.
- Aesthetics – Grafted gums may not perfectly match existing gum tissues.
- Infection risk – With any dental surgery, proper sterilization is a must.
- Regrowth failure – Severe recessions may not fully correct.
Discuss the pros and cons with your dentist when mapping out your gum regrowth treatment plan.
What happens if receding gums are left untreated?
Leaving receding gums untreated allows periodontal disease to progress. Potential consequences include:
- More gum recession and exposure of tooth roots
- Tooth decay in newly exposed regions of teeth
- Increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Pain or abscesses in the gums
- Eventual tooth loss
Seeking treatment for gum recession when caught early allows for the greatest chance of regrowth and preventing significant dental problems.
Can children have receding gums?
Yes, children and teenagers can experience receding gums, especially when oral hygiene is poor. The most common causes in kids are:
- Heredity – Genetic susceptibility to receding gums
- Periodontal disease – Usually from lack of proper brushing and flossing
- Orthodontic appliances – Braces can trap more plaque
- Thumb-sucking – Forceful suction can pull on gums
- Lip or tongue piercing – Jewelry rubs against gums
- Mouth breathing – Dries the mouth and irritates gums
Recession in children is best treated with thorough plaque removal, orthodontic adjustment if needed, habit cessation devices, and possibly gum grafting in severe cases. Pediatric gum treatments aim to prevent the problem worsening as permanent teeth erupt. Early intervention results in the most successful gum regrowth and health through adulthood.
Conclusion
Mild to moderate gum recession has the potential to regrow with diligent oral hygiene and treatment. More significant recession may only partially correct but can be prevented from getting worse. Consistent plaque removal, treatment of periodontal disease, attention to causes of gum sensitivity, and professional care allow the gums to regenerate over time in many people. Regular dental visits for monitoring and maintenance are key to sustaining gum health.