Can Receding Gums Be Reversed Naturally?

Gum recession is when the gums pull away from the teeth, leaving roots exposed. This is a common problem that can lead to periodontal disease and tooth loss.

While it may seem like a minor problem, receding gums should be treated as soon as they appear. A dentist can help diagnose and treat this condition.

Overview of Receding Gums

If you've noticed your gums are receding, it's important to get them treated as soon as possible. Without treatment, gum recession can lead to tooth loss.

Receding gums are caused by periodontal disease, a chronic condition that attacks the gum tissue and bones surrounding your teeth. It begins with the buildup of bacteria and plaque. The bacteria cause inflammation and eventually damage the gums, leading to pockets in between your teeth and gums.

The bacteria then eat away at the healthy tissue, creating a space for more bacteria and toxins to build up. Over time, the gums become weakened and begin to pull away from your teeth, exposing your roots.

There are many ways to treat receding gums. One way is to use a bonding agent, which can cover the exposed root and reduce sensitivity. Another is to use a composite resin, which can be used to fill in the gaps and blend in with your teeth.

Other treatments include bracers or aligners, which reposition your teeth and correct the way they fit together. Finally, some patients may need surgery, which involves using a tissue graft. This procedure can help revive either the gum tissues or the bone.

Common Causes

Receding gums are a common oral health concern, but they can lead to more serious dental problems and tooth loss if left untreated. It is important to recognize the early signs of gum recession, such as increased sensitivity and teeth that appear longer than usual.

Gum recession can be a sign of gingivitis or periodontal disease. These conditions are caused by the buildup of bacteria and plaque that leads to inflammation in the gums.

Inflammation causes the gums to become red and swollen, and they may bleed easily. The condition eventually results in a loosening of the tissue and bone that supports the tooth, leading to loss of teeth.

The leading cause of receding gums is periodontal disease, which can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene. This includes brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing daily. Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash is also recommended to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.

Many other factors can contribute to the development of receding gums, including lip or tongue piercings, misaligned teeth and injury from dental work. People with genetic predispositions to gum disease are especially at risk for this condition. Additionally, individuals with a habit of grinding their teeth (bruxism) may be at higher risk for developing this condition.

Symptoms

Gum recession is a dental problem that causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots of the tooth. This can lead to pain, sensitivity and other problems, if left untreated.

Receding gums occur gradually, often without any symptoms at first. The first signs tend to be increased tooth sensitivity, a longer looking tooth or a notch where the gum meets the tooth.

If you are noticing any of these things, it is important to see your dentist. They can determine whether the gums are receding due to a dental issue or if they are normal.

The main cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene, a lack of brushing and flossing, and a buildup of plaque on the teeth and within the gums. Over time, this can cause a severe infection of the gums and the surrounding bone and tissue.

This infection can also result in the development of pockets between the teeth and the gums. These pockets are an incubator for bacteria and plaque to grow. Eventually, these pockets deepen and can lead to gum disease and even loose teeth. In more severe cases, surgery is required to remove the bacteria and replace lost gum tissue.

Treatment Options

There is no cure for gum recession, but your dentist or periodontist can help you manage and treat it to keep it from getting worse.

If the recession is caused by periodontal disease, a treatment known as deep cleaning, root scaling and planing may be able to restore your gums to their original health and shape. This specialized cleaning involves using professional tools to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and smooth out any exposed root surfaces.

For more severe cases, your dentist or hygienist might recommend gum grafting, which replaces lost tissue with healthy gum tissue from another part of your mouth. This procedure usually requires a couple of visits, depending on how much gum tissue is needed.

Laser treatment: A highly effective and gentle way to stop the progression of gum disease, this treatment involves using a laser to target plaque-causing bacteria and eliminate them from your mouth. It is especially recommended for patients with moderate to severe cases of gingivitis and helps prevent further recession. Click here for more

Regeneration: For more severe cases of gum recession, your dentist might also recommend a technique to regenerate the bone and tissue lost to the recession. Your dentist might use a membrane, graft tissue, or tissue-stimulating protein to encourage your body to naturally regenerate the bone and tissue that has been lost.

Home Remedies to Regrow Receding Gums

Receding gums are a common problem. Even though healthy gum tissue is meant to grow back, aging and genetics can cause the gums to pull away from the base of the tooth, leaving small spaces that can become susceptible to plaque buildup.

Eventually, this can lead to gum disease and tooth loss. While this condition is primarily caused by bad oral hygiene habits, there are some treatments that can help to reverse the effects of receding gums.

In the early stages, a saltwater rinse can be effective at treating sore, red, or swollen gums. Combine one teaspoon of salt with a cup of water and rinse your mouth two or three times a day.

Another popular treatment is to inject aloe vera gel into the affected area. This gel has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and healing properties that can relieve inflammation and bacterial buildup.

A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water can also be used to treat sore, red, or swollen teeth. To use this remedy, combine 1/4 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with a cup of water and rinse your teeth for 30 seconds. This remedy is best done twice a week. For more serious cases of gum recession, your dentist may suggest flap surgery or a gum graft.

Natural Remedies for Regrowing Gums

If your gums have receded from their normal location and left your tooth roots exposed, there are some natural remedies that can reverse the recession and encourage the growth of new gum tissue. However, these treatments should not replace visits to your dentist or periodontist.

Septilin is a proprietary polyherbal preparation made from licorice, Indian myrrh (guggul), and Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi). This product can improve your gum health by reducing gum bleeding and promoting the formation of healthy gum tissue. It's available in tablets and syrups.

Another home remedy for regrowing your gums is oil pulling, an age-old Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing coconut oil in your mouth for 15 minutes. This process removes plaque, bacteria, and toxins from your teeth and gums.

Aloe vera gel is also beneficial to your gums. This succulent plant is rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation. It can be applied to your gums after a scaling and root planing treatment.

Essential oils such as peppermint, thyme, and tea tree may also be useful to reverse gum recession. They have antiseptic properties that can help prevent disease-causing bacteria from infecting your mouth. You should talk to your dentist before using essential oils to treat receded gums.

Preventions to Stop Receding Gums

Receding gums may not be reversed, but you can prevent them from worsening by maintaining a good oral health routine. This includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing regularly, as well as biannual dental cleanings and checkups to remove tartar and any signs of gum disease.

Keeping up with these practices can help prevent gingivitis and periodontitis, the two most common causes of receding gums. Additionally, a healthy diet that includes foods rich in antioxidants such as broccoli, lemons, oranges, tomatoes, and peppers can also help to reduce inflammation and swelling.

However, if you have swollen or red gums that are pulling away from the teeth or are experiencing exposed tooth roots, bleeding, or loose teeth, you should see your dentist as soon as possible to get treatment for receding gums. Your dentist can treat mild cases of recession through non-surgical methods such as desensitizing toothpaste, topical antibiotics, deep cleaning, scaling and root planing, and even dental bonding.

If your recession is the result of gum disease, your dentist will likely recommend an extensive cleaning procedure including deep cleaning and a scaling and root planing treatment. They will also prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash that kills bacteria and helps your gums recover afterward. They may also suggest a gum graft to restore the lost gum tissue.