Gum recession happens when gum tissue begins to pull away from the teeth, which can expose tooth roots and result in tooth sensitivity and longer-looking teeth. Gum tissue helps hold teeth in place and protects tooth roots from bacteria. Without it, teeth can loosen and may even fall out.

Receding gums can happen for a few reasons, but is this condition reversible, and how is it treated? Here’s what you need to know about reversing and treating gum recession.

Gum Recession May Be Reversed in Its Very Early Stages

Like periodontal disease, or gum disease, gum recession may start out mild but worsen over time if left untreated. Gum recession may start with teeth that appear a bit longer, or gum tissue that doesn’t quite cover the teeth the way it used to.

At this stage, you may be able to help stop the gum tissue from receding and smooth gum tissue back in place with the help of your dentist in a treatment called root planing and scaling, sometimes called a deep cleaning [1]. However, if your gum recession has gone beyond this initial stage, you may not be able to reverse the condition.

When Receding Gums Can’t Be Reversed

When gum tissue has pulled far back from the teeth, exposing a significant amount of the crown of the tooth, a root planing and scaling alone likely won’t help restore gum tissue. For severe receding gums, you may need a gum graft to help build up your gum tissue as much as possible [2].

A gum graft is when an oral surgeon takes soft tissue from other places in your mouth and attaches it to your gums to help restore gum tissue and protect your teeth. While not every person who has gum recession will need a gum graft, patients with extensive gum recession may need to pursue this option to save their gums and teeth.

How Gum Recession Is Treated

The most important step in treating gum recession is identifying what could be causing it in the first place. Without identifying and remedying the underlying issue, gum recession can’t be treated properly.

A few causes of gum recession include [3]:

• Gum disease
• Teeth grinding
• Harsh tooth brushing
• Poor oral hygiene

If gum disease is causing your gum recession, a deep cleaning is in order, but you may also need a gum graft. Altering your home care habits, such as switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush, may also help improve your gum recession. If you grind your teeth, a mouthguard can help protect your teeth and gums from further damage.

Never Ignore Receding Gums

Receding gums don’t just cause painful tooth sensitivity. They can also affect the appearance of your teeth and even lead to tooth loss if left untreated. If you notice your teeth are looking longer than usual, it’s time to follow up with your dentist to see if gum recession could be the problem, and if so, how to best move forward with treating it.

Sources:
1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326022
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4907322/
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312992#causes