Can Gum Recession Be Reversed?

Signs That Your Gums Are Receding

Typical symptoms of receding gums include swollen or red gums, bad breath and a bitter taste in your mouth as well as sensitivity to cold and hot food. You may notice loosening of a tooth that gradually becomes sore and swollen around the gum. Your bite will be different as you unconsciously avoid chewing on food in tender areas of your mouth.

The major concern with receding gums is how they open the path for the invasive growth of bacteria. When that bacteria invades the root and bone foundation of the tooth, if the bone loss is serious, the tooth will soon follow. So, your dental hygienist and dentist know how to fix gum recession. They can spot receding gums immediately and begin a treatment to arrest the problem.

What’s Gum Recession?

Your gums or gingiva are the layer of tissue that lies over your upper and lower jaw inside the mouth. They protect your teeth and the underlying bone and form a sealed barrier against infection. Gum recession occurs when the gingiva pulls away, is pushed back or wears away to expose the pink tissue covering the tooth’s root.

The roots of your teeth have a calcified substance called cementum, which is softer than your regular tooth enamel. Exposed roots cause tooth sensitivity and pain, as sensitive nerve endings lie just under the cementum.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Severe gum recession cause loss of bone and the loosening and eventual loss of a tooth. Moderate gum recession could be the first sign that you need to see your dentist, who can begin a treatment to reverse the process. Here are some causes of gum recession:

1. You can inherit the condition.

Your susceptibility to gum recession is determined, just like the rest of your body, by genetics. Children of parents who have a history of gum recession are at a higher risk. At the first sign of mild gum recession, it is important to begin a faithful regimen of brushing and plaque removal to prevent gingivitis.

2. Bad oral health habits lead to gingivitis — which leads to gum recession.

Gum recession is frequently a sign of periodontal disease. That is when the bacteria in plaque — a colorless, sticky film that forms in the mouth — accumulates between the teeth and gums. As the plaque accumulates, if untreated, inflammation results and the gums and supporting bone structure are undermined.

3. Brushing the teeth too vigorously can cause gum recession.

Using a hard-bristled toothbrush and over-brushing your teeth can wear away the tooth enamel as well as make your gums to recede. So, slow down, let up on the pressure and use a soft-bristled tooth brush. Follow the ADA recommended brushing technique, and keep your tooth enamel and gums intact.

4. Smoking increases the risks of gum recession.

As if we needed further evidence that using tobacco is bad for you, the CDC warns that smoking and tobacco increases your susceptibility for receding gums. Smokers should do their gums a favor, and stop smoking. That goes double for chewing tobacco and dip, which can cause a variety of gum disease, tooth loss, and, yes, receding gums.

5. Bruxism can also cause gum recession.

Bruxism is the habit of grinding or clenching the teeth. In addition to accelerated tooth wear, sensitivity and sometimes tooth fracture, gum recession can result. Everyday stress causes bruxism, and it can become an unconscious habit.

If you wake up each morning with sore muscles in your jaw or have chronic morning headaches, this may signal that you have bruxism. You should consult with your dentist, who can fit you with a mouth guard, or take a variety of orthodontic/corrective measures.

Other causes of gum recession include injury or trauma to the mouth, misaligned teeth and some medical conditions, such as diabetes and old age. Poor fitting partial dentures can also cause the gums around the remaining teeth to recede.

At Coastal Periodontics We Treat Gum Recession

Receding gums will not grow back on their own, but we have the treatments to correct the issue, prevent it from worsening and save your remaining teeth.

Dr. Tredinick is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and has over 20 years of experience in treating periodontal diseases. She has been serving her patients in the Lake Jackson area and Brazoria County since 2008.

Dr. Tredinick and her staff at Coastal Periodontics know how to fix gum recession. They perform the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique — a fast, pain-free procedure that heals in a day. There is no cutting, sutures or painful tissue grafting, and the procedure takes only one or two hours, depending on the number of teeth you need treated.

Make an Appointment

Don’t allow gum recession and the threat of gingivitis to take root and undermine your dental health. Contact us today for more information or to make an appointment.