Suffering from receding gums can be stressful and effect your self-confidence but is there anything you can do to get those gums to come back?
Do Gums Grow Back?
Because gum disease often goes unnoticed for a substantial amount of time before it’s caught by you or your dentist, gums may have receded a fair amount before you realise what’s happening.
In general though, gums simply can’t grow back, making it crucial to look after your teeth and use antibacterial mouthwashes every day to help slow gum recession and get rid of plaque-causing bacteria.
Is there anything I can do?
For those with severe gum recession, in which the root is exposed and there’s a serious loss of gum and bone, it is possible to have skin and bone grafts. While these procedures are possible, it’s far better to take preventative measures and not allow gum recession to get to this stage.
Skin grafts: For those who have gums that have receded to the root, your dentist may recommend a skin graft to cover the sensitive area. This is a reliable procedure that should last for years, or even the rest of your life.
Bone grafts: Using bone from another part of your body, or using bone-regenerating techniques, your dentist will aim to strengthen the bone so it can support your teeth.
Grafts? Woah! My gums aren’t that bad!
Mild gum recession can be halted by good oral hygiene and correct brushing. Taking care to use antibacterial mouthwash like will work to eradicate bacteria and stop mild gum recession, even bringing the gums back to full health.
Tips for rejuvenating gums:
Use a good antibacterial mouthwash Floss every dayBrush correctly with a plaque fighting toothpaste twice a dayStay hydrated and drink plenty of waterLimit sugary drinksQuit smokingEat a varied diet rich in vitamin C and Omega 3sHow to sooth gums
Gum disease, the leading cause of gum recession, often presents as sore, inflamed gums. While steps can be taken to control and eradicate gum disease, it’s a good idea to promote healing and soothing from day one.
is a patented product that contains hyaluronic acid, the beauty industry’s new wonder ingredient. Hyaluronic acid is unique in that it can hold a thousand times its own weight in water, making it a phenomenal moisturiser for the skin.
But what about its benefit to gums?
Hyaluronic acid already exists in the body and adds it to the gums to bolster connective tissue, soothe inflamed areas, encourage healing after dental procedures and even stop minor bleeding. Gengigel also promotes the new growth of tissue and if you’re suffering from mild gum recession, it’s a great product to try.
How will a dentist treat my gum disease?
While gums can’t really grow back, gum recession is usually caused by gum disease and if you treat that then you’ll stop your gums from receding further.
In the early stages of gum disease, or gingivitis, your dentist will most probably remove any plaque from your teeth, do a detailed inspection to ascertain the level of gum disease and advise you on an oral hygiene plan.
In order to determine the level of gum disease you might have, there’s a chance your dentist will take x-rays of your teeth and jaw. This is very normal and often the only way to detect some cavities and gum damage.
More severe gum disease will most probably require further dental treatment, but in any case, the first step in gum disease is visiting your dentist as well as brushing, flossing and using mouthwash.
Panicking about receding gums? Not sure what’s causing it?
Don’t worry. Caught early, receding gums can often be stopped with some simple steps.
Receding gums (or Gingival Recession) is a common condition where the gums pull back over time, exposing more of the tooth and even the root of the tooth. While this does occur naturally as we age, plenty can be done to slow down this process and prevent it from happening early.
Are receding gums a problem?
It’s critical to your overall oral health that your gums remain as healthy as they can be and receding gums should be dealt with as soon as possible. As the gums recede, they eventually expose the root of the tooth causing not only pain, but also infection and disease.
How do I know if my gums are receding?
Regular visits to the dentist will catch this condition before it worsens and the dentist will also measure the gums in order to follow their health. If your gums are receding then a dentist will be able to tell you and offer you advice.
You may notice that your gums are receding, perhaps by noticing that a specific tooth looks longer than before or perhaps because you’re feeling sensitivity or pain along the gumline. If you think this is the case, see your dentist as soon as possible.
What causes gum recession?
Gum recession is often caused by gum disease, which frequently goes unnoticed by the patient. Gum disease can be caused by poor dental hygiene, which allows for bacteria to gain hold and inflame the gums. Did you know you can get gum protecting mouthwash to help catch the bacteria you’ve missed?
Another common cause of gum recession is aggressive brushing and flossing. Many people have never been taught how to brush their teeth properly and your dentist or dental hygienist can show you and give you excellent advice.
Tooth crowding can also cause gum recession, as can hereditary factors. Gum recession can often be halted if caught early and regular check-ups help prevent further damage.
How can I stop my gums receding?
Brush Correctly
The first thing to do is ensure that you are brushing correctly and often enough. You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss every day as well. Mouthwashes are usually aimed at promoting excellent gum health as the liquid can get to hard to reach places and remove any remaining bacteria. is a good example of a dedicated gum health mouthwash.
Soft Bristles
Using a soft bristled toothbrush is also important as harsh brushing can wear away the gums over time. Toothbrushes also come in different head sizes and you should always use the smallest one for your mouth.
Quit Smoking
Smoking can increase your chances of gum recession as smoking can increase the amount of plaque build up on your teeth. Plaque build up irritates the gumline and gives bacteria an easy foothold, which allows gum disease to begin and gum recession to follow. Quitting smoking is an important part of oral health and, of course, general overall health.
Diet
Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water ensures that harmful bacteria and sugars don’t stay in your mouth for long. Drinking water regularly throughout the day helps flush the mouth and improves general wellbeing.