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.
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
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.
There is nothing that you can do to increase the thickness, but it is useful to be aware of this condition as you will need to pay extra special attention to how you look after them. Even with healthy and pink gums of normal thickness, you should, of course, not ignore your gum health.
More commonly known as gum disease, periodontitis is a bacterial infection that wears away at the gums, soft tissue, and bone surrounding your teeth. As the disease progresses, it can cause your gums to rescind and your permanent teeth to become loose.
When there is not enough gum tissue to hold tooth roots in place, the teeth are vulnerable to falling out. In some instances, multiple loose teeth are removed by the dentist before they fall out. Advanced cases of receding gums will likely require surgery to prevent further damage.
Gums recede and become inflamed or infected due to a buildup of bacteria. "All particles such as food and drink that enter the mouth can potentially lead to inflammation and decay if they are not removed properly," says Hogan, who also is an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
Another way to treat receding gums is through gum gap restoration. This minimally-invasive procedure utilizes Restylane®, a hyaluronic acid filler, to restore gum volume. Restylane® is injected into the areas where your gums have receded in order to produce a fuller smile, without the risks of traditional gum surgery.
Healing of gums after tooth extractions takes, on average, 6 to 8 weeks for the gum tissue to fully close and toughen enough to tolerate eating firmer foods.
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.
Your gums should be pink and firm, and they should not bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. To maintain your healthy gums, be certain to keep up a solid dental hygiene routine and visit your dentist every six months for a routine check-up.
When gumlines are atypical or there's an excess of gingiva, a gum lift can reduce the extent of tissue and reveal a larger tooth surface. The overall gum lift treatment can be completed in one visit with practically immediate results.
Surgery - If your gums already have pockets that are too deep or you've experienced too much bone loss, a deep cleaning won't be enough to treat the gum recession. In these instances, surgery may be necessary. Bone regeneration and tissue or gum grafts are two procedures frequently recommended to address receding gums.
Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus oil is an anti-inflammatory germicide that helps soothe receding gums and helps stimulate the growth of new gum tissue.
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.
A recent study reported that rinsing the mouth with salt water can help with your oral health. Salt is a natural disinfectant that helps with gum disease in a few ways: It removes loose debris and cleans the teeth and gums. Reduces inflammation and swelling and soothes the gums.
You should stick with oils that are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, including tea tree oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, and neem oil. These oils can significantly take down the swelling of your gums, when used regularly and coupled with a solid oral hygiene routine.
Vitamin C strengthens your gums and the soft tissue in your mouth. It can protect against gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and can prevent your teeth from loosening.
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.
Cost of a gum lift and the cost fo gum contouring
The average cost of a gum lift or cost fo gum contouring is $2000 and could range from $200 to $3000; however, depending on the process treatment needed. The cost fo gum contouring depends upon a few factors, and they vary from person to person.
Gum contouring can range from $50 to $350 per tooth and having all of your front teeth done at once can cost between $1,000 and $3,000. If you have dental insurance, they may cover some of the cost for gum contouring treatment if it is deemed medically necessary, as with Periodontal Associates.