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Receding gums do not grow back, so fixing them means stopping the cause and covering exposed roots with dental bonding or a gum graft.
At our Woburn office, the first thing we look for is why the gum is pulling away. Recession from hard brushing and recession from gum disease need different fixes, and treating the wrong one changes nothing.
Receded gum tissue does not regenerate, whatever you put on it. Skin closes over a cut. Gum that has pulled away from a tooth stays where it is, and the root underneath stays exposed.
A real fix does two things. Recession stops, and the exposed root gets protection. Here is how the common options compare:
Oil pulling, salt rinses, and herbal gels show up in most searches on receding gums. Some of them may help with inflammation, but no home remedy makes gum tissue grow back.
Bleeding gums and receding gums are two different stages, and only the first one can be undone. Gums that are red, swollen, and bleed when you brush point to gingivitis, and gingivitis is a reversible condition. Brushing, flossing, and a professional cleaning usually settle it, on roughly the same timeline as gum swelling going down.
Recession is what can follow when that inflammation is left alone. Periodontitis, the next stage of gum disease, involves bone loss around the teeth and cannot be reversed, though professional treatment slows and manages it. About 4 in 10 U.S. adults aged 30 or older had some level of periodontitis in CDC survey data from 2009 to 2014.
Bleeding is the early warning. Acting while your gums only bleed gives you the widest set of options.
Recession can also appear with no bleeding at all when hard brushing is the cause.
Gums recede when something wears the tissue down or damages the support underneath it. The usual causes:
Tartar deserves a closer look. Plaque is soft and brushes away, but once it hardens, only a professional cleaning can remove tartar. The gum resting against that deposit stays irritated for as long as it remains, which is why the difference between plaque and tartar matters for your gums.
Tobacco is the other one to take seriously. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research calls smoking and tobacco use the most significant risk factor for gum disease, and tobacco can make gum treatment less successful.
Slowing receding gums starts with removing the cause, and several causes are within your control at home.
Think of a receded gum as an eroded shoreline. Nothing done at home brings the sand back, but you can calm the waves that are carrying it off.
Habits that protect the gum you still have:
Exposed roots often feel sensitive because a root has no enamel covering it. A desensitizing toothpaste can ease that over several weeks, and the same steps that calm tooth sensitivity elsewhere apply here.
Home care can stop recession from advancing, but no at-home method restores lost gum. Metal scaling tools sold online are a particular risk. A scaler is a sharp instrument made for trained hands, and an injury to gum tissue is itself a cause of recession. Tartar removal belongs with a dentist or hygienist.
Mild recession may be improved without surgery by treating the infection, covering the root, or moving the tooth.
Scaling and root planing. When gum disease is driving the recession, the first step is a deep cleaning below the gumline. At Nova Dental, scaling and root planing clears the bacteria and tartar a toothbrush cannot reach. A local anesthetic numbs the area being treated, and our guide to what a deep cleaning involves covers each step.
Dental bonding. A dentist can sometimes cover an exposed root with tooth-colored composite resin, which makes the area less noticeable and more comfortable.
Orthodontics. A tooth that is tipped or rotated can cause recession. Moving it into alignment may let the gum margin correct over time.
Medication under the gum. In some cases a periodontist places an antibiotic directly under the gum to help treat the disease.
None of these options regrows tissue. Each one removes a cause or protects the root that is showing.
Unsure if your gums are receding or only swollen? One exam answers that question and shows what each tooth needs. Dr. Guldalian will show you the measurements and explain your options without pressure.
Find out what is causing your recession
Receding gums need a gum graft when the recession is moderate to severe and the root needs full coverage. Cleveland Clinic describes gum graft surgery as the most predictable and longest-lasting way to treat gum recession.
Gum graft surgery replaces missing gum with a piece of tissue, usually taken from the roof of your mouth and sometimes from donor tissue, which is stitched into place over the root. A periodontist, the specialist in gum disease, typically performs the procedure.
Treating the cause still comes first, since a graft faces the same brushing force or infection the original gum did.
Recovery from gum graft surgery takes about two weeks for the majority of patients, according to Cleveland Clinic. Healing time depends on how many teeth were treated, where the graft tissue came from, and which grafting method was used. Your surgeon gives you written aftercare instructions, and following them closely supports a comfortable recovery.
A receding gums exam at Nova Dental starts with finding the cause and measuring how far the tissue has moved. Dr. Talar Guldalian measures the recession on each tooth and checks the depth of the pockets between tooth and gum. Healthy pockets measure 1 to 3 millimeters, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and deeper readings can be a sign of periodontal disease.
Digital scans go up on the screen so you can see what she sees.
From there the plan usually takes one of three paths:
Dr. Guldalian earned her DMD magna cum laude from Boston University's Goldman School of Dental Medicine and completed advanced training in general dentistry and prosthodontics at UCSF. Nova Dental is independently owned with no quotas to fill, so a patient who needs a softer toothbrush and nothing else hears exactly that.
See a dentist about receding gums as soon as a tooth looks longer than it used to or a root becomes visible. Gum disease can become serious with no symptoms a person notices, according to the CDC, so waiting for pain is a poor test.
Red flags:
Recession caught early leaves you the most options. One exam shows how far the gum has moved, what is causing it, and what each tooth needs.
Book a receding gums exam in Woburn
We're at 304 Cambridge Road, Suite 340, Woburn, MA 01801, serving Winchester, Woburn, Lexington, and Arlington. Call (781) 369-5722.
Can receding gums grow back naturally?
Receding gums cannot grow back naturally. Oil pulling, salt water, and herbal products have not been shown to regrow gum tissue, though gentle daily cleaning helps keep the remaining gum healthy. Recession that has already happened is managed by stopping its cause and, where needed, covering the root with bonding or a graft.
Is it too late to fix my receding gums?
An exam is useful however long the recession has been there, since Cleveland Clinic notes that gum recession can be successfully managed with proper treatment and care. Mild recession may respond to nonsurgical care. Moderate to severe recession usually leads to a gum grafting consultation. Left alone, recession can lead to bone loss, loose teeth, and tooth loss.
What is the best toothpaste for receding gums?
A desensitizing toothpaste is the usual choice for receding gums because exposed roots are sensitive. Cleveland Clinic lists potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride, arginine, and strontium chloride as active ingredients to look for. Toothpaste eases discomfort and does not rebuild gum, and relief can take several weeks of regular use.
Will my teeth fall out if my gums are receding?
Receding gums do not mean tooth loss is certain. Left untreated, recession can lead to bone loss, loose teeth, and tooth loss over time. Cleveland Clinic notes that treatment can prevent gum recession from getting worse, so an early exam gives each tooth its strongest chance.
Does Nova Dental offer gum care for patients without insurance?
Nova Dental offers a Periodontal Plan for patients who need periodontal care and have no insurance. The plan is $945 per year and includes four cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride treatments, and 15% off other procedures. Full details are on our membership plan page, and our team can confirm what your treatment would include.