If your gums have started to recede, you may wonder whether they can grow back. The short answer is no: once gum tissue has genuinely receded and exposed part of a tooth’s root surface, it does not naturally regenerate.
That does not mean nothing can be done, however. Depending on the cause, treatment can protect the exposed root, prevent the recession from progressing, reduce tooth sensitivity, and in appropriate cases restore coverage over part of the root.
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Recognizing Gum Recession
One recognizable sign is a tooth that appears longer than the teeth around it, along with a visible root surface, an uneven gumline, or a small notch where the tooth meets the gingiva. Tooth sensitivity to cold drinks, hot foods, or sweets is another common clue. Recession does not always hurt and can progress slowly and almost unnoticed, which is one reason regular dental examinations, including periodontal probing and dental X-rays to check the alveolar bone, matter.
Periodontal disease is a major cause of gum recession. Plaque accumulating along the gumline triggers gingivitis, and when plaque hardens into tartar and progresses to periodontitis, the resulting infection can damage the alveolar bone supporting the teeth, sometimes leading to attachment loss, periodontal pockets, and tooth mobility. Aggressive brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush, tooth position, thin gum tissue, tobacco use, oral piercings, and bruxism can also contribute.
Why This Needs Attention
Tooth enamel protects the crown of a healthy tooth, but the root is covered mainly by cementum, a much thinner, less resistant layer. Once a root surface is exposed, it becomes more vulnerable to tooth sensitivity and root decay, and recession can create areas where plaque is harder to remove through routine interdental cleaning.
Gingiva has only a limited ability to regenerate once it has receded. Gums can heal after inflammation or dental treatment, but healing should not be confused with rebuilding tissue already lost, which is why products promising to regrow gums cannot recreate what is gone. A periodontist can restore coverage through gum grafting instead, including a connective-tissue graft, a free gingival graft, or a pedicle graft. A 2022 review of 38 clinical trials covering more than 1,200 recession sites, published in the Journal of Periodontology, confirmed that a connective-tissue graft combined with a coronally advanced flap remains the most predictable technique for restoring root coverage.
Protecting Your Gums Starts With Early Action
Treatment depends on the cause. A dentist may recommend professional dental cleaning, scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline, a change in brushing technique, management of bruxism, or referral to a periodontist for gum grafting. At home, use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a gentle technique, clean between your teeth daily with dental floss or interdental brushes, and brush with fluoride toothpaste, adding a desensitizing toothpaste if exposed roots are sensitive. Don’t wait for recession to become painful before mentioning it.
Why Choose Bloom Dental of Arlington
Gum recession can stem from periodontal disease, aggressive brushing, bruxism, or several factors at once. Our team evaluates your gum tissue, plaque levels, and bite before recommending treatment. Our Periodontics services treat gum disease and restore gum health with an experienced periodontist. If your teeth look longer than before or your gumline is changing, schedule an appointment with Bloom Dental of Arlington today.