Can Gums Grow Back? If you were to ask any periodontist if gums can grow back after receding, they would tell you no, they cannot. As nice as it would be to have these soft tissues move back into their original position after treatment, the harsh reality is that they will not.
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.
Your gum tissue
Receding gums won't grow back because gum tissue doesn't regenerate like many other tissues in the body. And while receding gums can increase your risk of tooth decay, they are often the sign of a more serious oral health condition.
The length of time it will take your gums to heal depends on the severity of your gum disease. It can take anywhere from 2 – 4 weeks, while deeper pockets can take months to completely heal. Because your mouth will be tender and inflamed, a soft food diet is advised for the first few days.
Gum graft surgery is the most predictable and long-lasting treatment option for gum recession. Typically, a periodontist (gum specialist) performs this procedure. During this surgery, a gum graft is used to replace your missing gum tissue.
The traditional method of treating gum recession is through a gum graft, which entails donor tissue being harvested from another area of the mouth—usually the palate—and transplanted onto the receding area to cover the exposed tooth root.
Use a Salt Water Rinse
It has potential benefits as an antibacterial agent and can help soothe inflamed, sore gums. Rinsing with salt water can also keep bacteria that contribute to gum recession under control. You can do this by mixing some warm water with one or two teaspoons of salt.
How Far Can Gums Recede? Gums can recede to the extent at which the uppermost portion of the root becomes visible. Damage can also extend to the ligament and the bone, where it cannot be seen.
In some cases, it may be too late for gum grafting to save the gums. If your gums are severely damaged, receding so far back that they expose the tooth's root, or if there is significant bone loss from advanced gum disease, gum grafting may not be able to restore them to their healthy state.
When performed on a regular basis, gum massage can thicken the gum epithelium. The gum epithelium is the outer layer of gum tissue that helps protect the gums from bacteria that can cause infections. When this tissue layer thickens and strengthens, it helps protect your gums from bacterial infections more effectively.
What do Receding Gums Look Like? The way to identify receding gums is by looking at the gum tissue surrounding each individual tooth. If the height of the gum tissue varies or if you see that the gum tissue surrounding the teeth draws back and seems red or worn away, then you are looking at receding gums.
Periodontal diseases.
These are bacterial gum infections that destroy gum tissue and supporting bone that hold your teeth in place. Gum disease is the main cause of gum recession.
The average cost of gum graft surgery ranges from $600 to $1,200 per tooth. If gum contouring is performed to give the gums a more attractive appearance, it may add several hundred dollars to the total cost. Additional factors that impact the price of gum grafting include: Number of teeth being worked on.
When gum recession occurs, "pockets," or gaps, form between the teeth and gum line, making it easy for disease-causing bacteria to build up. If left untreated, the supporting tissue and bone structures of the teeth can be severely damaged, and may ultimately result in tooth loss.
From fluoride treatments to implants, it seems like there's a fix for all our dental woes. However, preventative care is still the best treatment when it comes to gum health. Receding gums do not regenerate, which means that when your gum tissue is lost, it's gone permanently.
Gum grafting replaces the lost tissue around your teeth and improves your overall oral health. Gum grafting surgery is usually done by a periodontist (a gum specialist). In the U.S., a periodontist receives three additional years of focused training after graduating from a four-year dental school.
Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus oil is an anti-inflammatory germicide that helps soothe receding gums and helps stimulate the growth of new gum tissue.
Poor oral hygiene can cause receding gums in two ways. First, if you do not brush your teeth properly, some plaque remains, which can buildup up tartar. Tartar breeds disease-causing bacteria which affect the gums, causing them to recede towards the tooth root. The second is through aggressive hygiene.
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a fluoridated mouthwash will help you keep a healthy smile and will indeed help stop gum recession in its tracks. But for the healthiest mouth, you need to get professional dental cleanings too.
Good Oral Hygiene Habits
One of the most important things you can do to avoid further gum recession is to brush and floss your teeth twice daily. If your gums have receded due to aggressive brushing, be mindful of the force you are applying while brushing and use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
The cost of gum grafting starts at $1200. There are other factors, like the severity, that may increase the cost. Remember, we have payment options available to suit your budget.