Reviewed by Dr. Alan Baughman, DMD, MBA
Reading time: five minutes.
Gum recession is a dental issue that sneaks up on you. One day, your smile looks healthy and normal; the next, your gums have pulled back, exposing the tooth roots and leaving you with tooth sensitivity.In this blog, Dr. Alan Baughman explains the common causes of receding gums, the stages of gum recession, and the treatment options available.
Table of Contents
- Common Causes of Gum Recession
- The Symptoms and Stages of Gum Recession
- Can Gum Tissue Grow Back?
- A Friendly Reminder
- When To Seek Help
- Clearwater Dentistry: Your Dentist in Greeley, CO
Key Takeaway
Once your gum tissue is lost, it won’t naturally grow back, but you still have effective options to manage and treat the problem. Early intervention, along with good oral care and professional treatments, can stop the progression of gum recession and protect your smile.
Common Causes of Gum Recession
Gum recession, or gingival recession, can occur for several reasons:
- Aggressive tooth brushing: If you use a hard or medium-bristled toothbrush or brush too forcefully, you can wear down your gums over time.
- Gum disease: If you have gum disease, such as periodontal disease, caused by disease-causing bacteria, it’s one of the leading causes of gum recession.
- Tobacco products: If you smoke or use other tobacco products, you reduce blood flow to your gums, leading to gum tissue loss.
- Misaligned teeth: If your teeth are misaligned or crooked, they can cause uneven pressure on your gums, contributing to gum recession.
- Poor oral hygiene: If you neglect your oral health routine plaque will build up and cause gum inflammation, both of which can cause gum recession.
- Bruxism: Clenching or grinding of your teeth can cause abfraction lesions. These are small portions of the tooth structure that chip off at the gumline and contribute to gingival recession.
The Symptoms and Stages of Gum Recession
Gum recession progresses through several stages. The symptoms will indicate how advanced the condition has become.
Periodontal probing is a measurement of the distance from the gum line to the bottom of the gum pocket. It is an important tool in assessing the severity of gum recession. Probing depths greater than 3mm generally require periodontal treatment.
Stages of Gum Recession
- Mild gum recession:
- Symptoms: In the early stage, you might not notice much beyond some tooth sensitivity, especially to cold foods. Your gums may start to look slightly swollen or red.
- What’s happening: Plaque buildup at the gum lines starts to cause inflammation, leading to the initial pulling back of your gum tissue.
- Moderate gum recession:
- Symptoms: As the recession progresses, you may see more of your tooth roots becoming exposed. Tooth sensitivity worsens, and your teeth might start to appear longer.
- What’s happening: The gum tissue continues to recede, and pockets may form between your gums and teeth, trapping food particles and bacteria.
- Severe gum recession:
- Symptoms: At this stage, you may experience loose teeth, significant tooth sensitivity, and gum inflammation. Your gums might bleed when you brush or floss.
- What’s happening: Extensive loss of gum tissue exposes the tooth roots, increasing the risk of tooth loss and other dental issues. This stage often requires more intensive treatment, such as gum grafts or other surgical procedures.
To learn more about gum health, read this blog: What Do Healthy Gums Look Like?
Can Gum Tissue Grow Back?
Here’s the tough truth: once your gum tissue is gone, it doesn’t grow back! However there are treatments and strategies to stop further gum recession and manage its effects.
Treatment Options
- Deep cleaning: This involves scaling and root planning. The dentist will thoroughly clean beneath your gum line to remove plaque and tartar buildup.
- Flap surgery: A periodontist performs this procedure to lift back your gums, remove tartar, and then secure the gums back in place. It reduces the depth of gum pockets, helping to prevent further gum recession.
- Gum grafting: If your gums have significantly receded, a periodontist can perform a gum graft to cover the exposed tooth roots and restore your gum line.
- Bone grafting: If you’ve lost bone tissue due to receding gums, a periodontist can perform a bone graft to rebuild the lost bone, providing a solid foundation for your teeth.
A Friendly Reminder
Prevention is your best defense against gum recession. By adopting good oral health habits, you can maintain a healthy smile. Here are some tips:
- Use a soft toothbrush: Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and practice gentle brushing techniques.
- Proper brushing techniques: Brush in circular motions, not back and forth, to avoid damaging your gum tissue.
- Maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine: Brush twice daily, floss regularly, and use an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce plaque buildup.
- Regular dental check-ups: Visit your dentist regularly for dental cleanings and check-ups to catch any signs of gum disease early.
- Avoid tobacco products: Quit smoking (and vaping!) or using tobacco products to improve blood flow to your gums.
- Address misaligned teeth: Consider orthodontic treatments to correct misaligned teeth and reduce uneven pressure on your gums.
When To Seek Help
If you suspect you have gum recession, or if you’ve noticed any of the symptoms below, consult a dental professional as soon as possible.
☑️ Persistent gum inflammation: Ongoing gum inflammation may indicate periodontal disease, requiring prompt treatment.
☑️ Loose teeth: If your teeth feel loose, it’s time to seek professional help.
☑️ Severe gum recession: If your gums have receded significantly, you may need a gum graft or other surgical procedures.
☑️ Tooth sensitivity: Persistent tooth sensitivity could be a sign of exposed tooth roots, which need addressing by your dentist.
Clearwater Dentistry: Your Dentist in Greeley, CO
Don’t wait until you’re left with nothing but tooth roots and regrets! If your gums are starting to pull away, it’s time to act.
At Clearwater Dentistry, our experienced dentist, Dr. Alan Baughman, can perform a deep cleaning procedure or will refer you to a periodontist for the gum recession treatment you need.
If you are searching for ‘deep dental cleaning in Greeley, CO’ or the ‘best dentist near me’ we can help! Call (970) 515-3550 to book an appointment or complete the online inquiry form.
Remember, the sooner you take action, the better your chances of keeping those gums—and teeth—right where they belong.
