If you have receding gums that are making your teeth look longer, you may be wondering if it’s possible to reverse this process. Can receding gums grow back? Or is the tissue gone for good? In this blog from Carmel Mountain Dental Care, we’ll explain the common causes of gum recession, and your options for treating it and restoring your gums and oral health.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Lots of different things can contribute to gum recession, and it’s usually caused by a combination of factors, such as:
- Over brushing – Brushing your teeth and gums too hard can actually damage the enamel and your gums, particularly if you’re using a very stiff brush. Use a soft brush and be gentle to protect your gum tissue.
- Gum disease – Gum recession is a common symptom of gum disease. As bacteria build up between the gums and teeth, the gum tissue will deteriorate and begin to recede.
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) – Constantly grinding your teeth puts a lot of pressure on the gum tissue, which can lead to gum recession over time.
- Gum tissue trauma – If you’ve experienced an oral injury, like a blow to the face while playing a sport, the tissue near the injured site may begin to recede as a response to the trauma.
- Tobacco use – Tobacco restricts blood flow and healing, and can worsen gum recession caused by other factors like gum disease or teeth grinding.
You Need To See A Dentist To Get Treatment For Gum Recession
In most cases, your gum tissue will not come back once you’ve lost it. It’s gone for good. However, this doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck. With the right periodontal treatment, you may be able to halt the progression of gum recession.
For example, if you have gum recession due to gum disease, treatment like scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) can be used to eliminate bacteria, restore the health of the gums, and stop the further loss of gum tissue.
If you have a very significant gum recession, the best treatment is usually a gum graft. While your gums won’t grow back on their own, surgical treatment can be used to replace the missing tissue, and restore both your appearance and your oral health.
Gum grafting involves taking soft tissue from another part of the mouth and grafting it onto your gums. Usually, some tissue is removed from your palate, which is the soft, fleshy part of your upper mouth.
Using special tools and techniques, this tissue is anchored around your receding gums. Over time, the gum tissue heals around the graft, restoring the appearance, function, and health of your gums.
Get The Help You Need For Receding Gums At Carmel Mountain Dental Care!
Gum recession is not normal, and always indicates an issue with your oral health. No matter the cause, it’s important to get help and diagnose the root cause of receding gums, and the dentists at Carmel Mountain Dental Care are here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (858) 484-4880 to get the expert dental care you need in San Diego right away.
