It depends on what kind of gum change you mean. Gums that are red and puffy from inflammation can tighten up again once the plaque causing it is cleaned away. Gum that has receded, leaving part of the root showing, does not grow back by itself. What you can usually do is stop it receding further, and in suitable cases a graft can cover the exposed root.
Inflamed gums can recover; receded gums do not
When plaque sits along the gumline, the gums can become swollen, tender and prone to bleeding. This is gingivitis, and it is reversible. With good brushing, daily cleaning between the teeth and a professional clean, the swelling usually settles and the gums firm up again. Our article on swollen gums explains this in more detail, and bleeding gums when brushing covers the most common early sign.
Recession is different. The gum is held against the tooth by fibres that attach it to the root and to the bone underneath. When recession happens, that attachment is lost, and often some of the supporting bone has gone as well. The body does not rebuild that support on its own, so the gum edge does not creep back up the tooth. A small cut inside the cheek heals quickly because the tissue underneath is intact; a receded gum has lost its foundation.
Stopping recession is the realistic goal
Recession usually has a cause, and dealing with that cause is what keeps it from getting worse. Common contributors include:
- Brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled brush, scrubbing across the gumline.
- Gum disease (periodontitis), where bacteria and inflammation destroy the attachment and bone.
- Thin gum tissue, which some people are born with and which is more easily damaged.
- Teeth positioned towards the outside of the jaw, where the bone and gum covering them is thin.
- Grinding or clenching, which may play a part for some people.
Switching to a soft brush with gentle pressure, cleaning between your teeth every day and having gum disease treated by a dentist or OHT (oral health therapist) are the usual first steps. Regular check-ups let us measure the recession over time and see whether it is stable. Our guide to gum recession causes and treatment goes further into each of these.
Covering an exposed root with a graft
If a root is exposed and causing sensitivity, is hard to keep clean, or bothers you because of how it looks, a gum graft may be an option. The most common approach takes a thin piece of connective tissue from the roof of the mouth and places it under the gum at the receded area, then moves the gum to cover the root. Other techniques reposition nearby gum without a graft, or use a donor or collagen material instead of tissue from the palate.
A Cochrane review of root coverage procedures (Chambrone and colleagues, 2018) found that several techniques can be used, and that connective tissue grafts gave slightly better results when the aim was both to cover the root and to widen the band of firm, attached gum. How much of the root can be covered depends on how much bone and gum remain between the teeth, so a graft does not suit every case. A dentist or a registered periodontist can assess whether it is likely to help you.
No product can regrow gum
Toothpastes, oils, gels and supplements marketed as regrowing gums cannot rebuild lost attachment and bone. Some products do help in other ways. A desensitising toothpaste can ease the sharp sensitivity that an exposed root often causes, and our guide to the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth compares the options. Fluoride also helps protect exposed root surfaces, which decay more easily than enamel.
What patients ask about receding gums
Will my gums grow back if I brush more gently?
Gentler brushing can stop further damage, but the gum that has already receded is unlikely to return by itself.
Is recession serious?
It can be. It may be a sign of gum disease, and exposed roots are more prone to sensitivity and decay. Having it assessed early means the cause can be dealt with before more support is lost.
Does everyone with recession need a graft?
No. Many people with mild, stable recession simply need the cause managed and the area monitored. Grafting is considered when there are symptoms, a risk of further loss, or concerns about appearance.
Have your gums measured
If you have noticed teeth looking longer or more sensitive near the gumline, a check-up can measure the recession and find the likely cause. A dentist or OHT at Lumi Dental in Melrose Park can assess your gums and talk you through the options. Learn about our general dental care or see new patient offers on our current deals page.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for personal dental advice. Please see a dentist to discuss your own situation.
