My Gumline Has Receded; Can the Tissue Grow Back?

Gum disease is an insidious oral infection that starts out almost imperceptibly small, but it can lead to permanent damage if it goes untreated. While it’s easy to be horrified at the thought of tooth loss or jawbone atrophy, many people may not realize the oral health problems caused by gum recessions resulting from gum disease. Here’s a brief guide to how receding gums can affect your life and what your dentist may be able to do about it.

Why Are My Gums Receding?

The most common cause of gum recession is poor oral hygiene. If the mouth is not cleaned properly on a daily basis, its populations of harmful oral bacteria will skyrocket, resulting in destructive oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease. As these bacteria eat away at a patient’s gum tissue, it will pull away from the teeth, exposing them to bacteria and the oral environment and resulting in greater sensitivity as well as an increased likelihood of decay or loss. However, gum disease can also result from smoking, grinding, or brushing the teeth too hard.

It’s important to see your dentist regularly so they can monitor the health of your gums and administer an appropriate treatment to prevent or stop gum recession if needed. However, there are a few symptoms you should look out for at home. Signs of receding gums include:

• Bleeding after flossing or brushing
• Unpleasant breath
• Swollen, red gums
• Pain along the gumline
• Dental sensitivity
• Permanent teeth coming loose
• The gums developing a shrunken appearance

Will Lost Gum Tissue Grow Back?

After gum tissue recedes, it will not grow back on its own. However, your dentist can administer a variety of treatments to rebuild lost gum tissue and manage advanced gum disease. A few of these include:

• Scaling and root planing: This treatment involves removing plaque and tartar above and below the gumline before smoothing the roots of the teeth so the soft tissues can reintegrate with them. This treatment is performed after applying a local anesthetic and may take multiple appointments to complete.
• Gum surgery: If your gum disease cannot be treated non-surgically, your dentist may recommend surgery such as open flap scaling and planing or placing a tissue-stimulating membrane to regenerate lost gum tissue.
• Gum grafts: Your dentist may be able to rebuild lost gum structure by placing soft tissue donated from other parts of your mouth along the bases of your teeth.

Excellent oral hygiene is the best way to prevent gum disease. However, your dentist is well-equipped to manage a receded gumline if necessary.

About the Practice

Annigan Dental offers the finest oral health services in Bothell. Led by Drs. Henry Hsue and Julia Fredrickson, the staff ensures that each patient receives effective treatments in a warm and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as gum disease treatments. If you are concerned about receding gums, contact the office online or dial (425) 492-6898.