Gum disease, an infection also known as periodontal disease, is one of the most common oral health conditions. As it progresses, it can cause gum recession. Not only can this affect the appearance of your smile by making your teeth look unnaturally long, but it can also expose sensitive tooth roots and cause significant discomfort. It might even lead to tooth loss! If you have experienced a degree of gum recession, is there any hope that the lost tissue will ever grow back? This blog post explains some important facts.
Receding Gums Will Not Regrow
Sadly, once gum tissue is lost due to infection or other causes, it cannot regrow on its own. This is partially because as the gums recede, the jawbone underneath is also worn away, which means the gums lose some of their base of support.
Gum Recession Can Be Stopped
The good news is that, even if you have experienced some gum recession, its progress can be stopped with help from your dental team.
One of the first steps is gum disease treatment. For example, your dentist might recommend a deep cleaning of your mouth known as scaling and root planing. This procedure gets rid of harmful bacteria and makes it possible for your gums to reattach to your tooth roots. Because scaling and root planing also involves smoothing out the tooth roots, it becomes more difficult for bacteria to collect on them, thereby decreasing your risk of future gum disease episodes.
After you no longer have active gum disease, your dentist can coach you on how to care for your teeth and gums in a way that protects your exposed tooth roots and helps to keep gum disease from recurring.
Tissue Grafting Can Help with Severe Gum Recession
In some cases, stopping gum recession is not quite enough. If the recession is severe, or you are concerned about the aesthetic and oral health consequences of the recession, you might be a candidate for tissue grafting.
Your dentist may refer you to a specialist, such as a periodontist, who can perform bone and soft tissue grafts to fortify your jawbone and cover your exposed tooth roots. The results can be extremely natural-looking and help your smile bounce back from even severe gum disease. (For very advanced gum disease, you may also need to undergo tooth extractions and tooth replacement.)
The earlier you treat gum disease and gum recession, the easier it will be to protect your smile from their consequences! If your teeth have been looking a little long lately, now is the time to talk to your dentist about your options.
Meet the Practice
At Gillis Dental Professionals, we are committed to providing top-quality care for the Needham community. We offer preventive services, gum disease treatment (including scaling and root planing), and more. If you are concerned about the health or appearance of your gums, we are ready to evaluate the situation and advise you on your next steps. To schedule a consultation, contact our team at 781-202-6357.