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If you have gum loss, it is likely due to periodontal disease. This is a dental disease that is caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth. If this disease becomes advanced, it can cause your gums to recede and the roots of your teeth to become exposed. In order to reverse this gum loss, you will need to get dental care, improve your gum health, and make lifestyle choices that can improve the health of your gums.
Steps
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Look for signs that your gums are unhealthy. Caring for your gums includes being on the lookout for signs that there is a problem developing. Signs that you may have a problem developing include: [1] X Research source
- Uncontrollable bad breath
- Red gums
- Swollen gums
- Tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Receding gums
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Get regular dental cleanings. [2] X Expert Source Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020. Regular cleaning can greatly reduce your chance of gum loss. It cleans away the plaque and tartar that can cause periodontal disease.- If you get regular cleanings, you dentist will probably spot the signs of gum loss even before you do.
- Most insurance plans cover a cleaning every 6 months. [3]
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Expert Source
Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020. If you don't have insurance you will have to pay for the appointment out of pocket. However, this type of preventative care can save you a lot of money in the long run. - If you think that your gums are receding, you should make an appointment to be seen by your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can assess the state of your gums, clean your teeth, and make recommendations about the treatment that you need. [4] X Research source
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Have specialized cleaning done if your gums are receding. This process, also called tooth scaling and root planing, removes plaque and tartar from under the gums. Making a smooth surface under the gums will allow them to return to their proper place. [5] X Research source
- By smoothing out the surface area of the tooth, bacteria will have a hard time attaching to the surface in the future.
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Take antibiotics for gum infection . If you have an infection below the gum line, and this is causing them to recede, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics in combination with other types of treatment. Antibiotics should knock out the infection and allow your gums to begin healing. [6] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- You may be prescribed either an oral antibiotic or a topical antibiotic that you apply directly to the infected area.
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Schedule gum tissue surgery. If your gums have receded so much that there is bone loss and deep pockets next to the teeth, then you will need surgery to repair the gums. The dentist will take skin grafts from inside your mouth and then use them to repair the areas of gum loss. [7] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Gum tissue surgery can be done by a dentist or periodontist. However, you may want to be referred to a periodontist for this procedure. This is a specialized dentist who is an expert in treating gum disease.
- After the surgery you will be given care directions from your dentist. Typically these include not brushing or flossing the area until it is healed and rinsing your mouth with a special mouthwash several times a day. [8] X Research source
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Discuss the option of bone regeneration surgery. If your gums have receded so much that the bone is exposed, this can lead to a loss of bone. In a case like this, you will need to have a regenerative operation done. During bone regeneration surgery, your dentist will place regenerative materials in the area where you have suffered bone loss. This material will work to restore the area. [9] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- In order to regenerate the bone, your dentist may place a protective mesh in the area of bone loss to allow the bone to regrow. They may also insert synthetic or donated bone pieces to help the bone to regrow. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Your dentist will take X-rays of your teeth to assess whether you have bone loss due to the loss of gum tissue.
- You will receive detailed instructions for aftercare from your dentist. This will include a schedule for taking pain killers and antibiotics, information about a eating a soft diet until the area is healed, and keeping the area clean and undisturbed. [11] X Research source
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Brush your teeth more gently. If you brush your teeth too roughly, over time it can cause your gums to recede. Brushing gently with a soft bristled brush can allow your gums the ability to recover. [12] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source
- There are some electric toothbrushes that will give you a warning when you are pushing too hard. If you have a history of brushing too hard, this might be a good product to invest in.
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Brush your teeth twice a day. If you have receding gums, it may be caused by a lack of basic dental care. [13] X Expert Source Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020. If you haven't been brushing, start brushing twice a day. This will minimize the buildup of bacteria and food debris around your gum line, which will allow your gums to grow back. [14] X Research source- Be sure to use a toothpaste that has fluoride in it.
- If you really want to keep your teeth clean, begin brushing your teeth after each meal.
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Floss once a day. [15] X Expert Source Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020. Flossing daily will remove food debris, bacteria, and plaque build up from between your teeth. This will allow the gums in between your teeth to remain healthy. [16] X Research source- There are also special picks and brushes that your dentist may recommend for cleaning between your teeth.
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Wear a bite guard. If you are grinding or clenching your teeth, the force you are creating can make your gums recede. To soften this force and allow your gums to regenerate, start wearing a bite guard. [17] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Signs that you are grinding your teeth include a sore jaw or face, chipped or flattened teeth, tooth pain, and an unexplained headache. [18] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Many people choose to wear their bite guard at night, when teeth grinding can occur involuntarily.
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Improve your saliva production. If you are suffering from dry mouth, it can also increase the likelihood that your gums will recede. To increase your saliva production, try chewing sugar-free gum regularly or talk to your doctor about medications that can help increase the amount of saliva you are producing. [19] X Trustworthy Source Go Ask Alice Medical advice site with content written by health promotion specialists affiliated with Columbia University Go to source
- Saliva protects the gums from bacteria and plaque build up, so having too little of it can impact your gum health.
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Quit smoking. Smoking can cause a large amount of plaque to attach to your teeth. [20] X Expert Source Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Board Certified Dentist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020. This can, in turn, cause your gums to begin receding. To eliminate this problem, make a plan to quit smoking and put that plan into action. [21] X Research source- There are a variety of routes you can take to stop smoking. When you are making your plan to quit, remember that most people have more success quitting smoking if they are engaged in a smoking cessation program and if they use aids to ease their withdrawal.
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Take out piercings that are rubbing on your gums. If you have a lip or tongue piercing, it may rub on your gums. The rubbing, over time, can cause your gums to recede. To minimize this and allow your gums to recover, you should take out any piercings that are rubbing on the gums. [22] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- If you are unwilling to remove a piercing permanently, at least take it out when you can. Sleeping without it or taking it out for a few hours a day will reduce the wear and tear on your gums.
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Get professional treatment for health problems. There are some medical problems that can cause the gums to recede. For example, untreated diabetes can cause an increase in the glucose in your saliva. This can then cause an increase in the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis. [23] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- There are also cases in which the treatment for certain diseases can impact your gum health. If you are receiving treatment for HIV, AIDS, or cancer, your gums could be impacted.
- Talk to your doctor about how best to control these diseases and the impact their treatment can have on your gums.
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Be aware of other contributing factors. There are some things that can cause your gums to recede that you cannot prevent or eliminate. However, you can be aware of them and understand that you need to be especially vigilant about your personal dental care if you have them. Factors that should prompt you to give your gums extra care include: [24] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- A family history of gum problems
- Old age
- Pregnancy
- Puberty
- Menopause
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat should I do if my gums bleed when I floss?Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.When you're flossing and you see blood, it actually means you need to be more consistent with flossing and you need to do it more. If you do floss, you may not be doing it well enough or deep enough.
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QuestionHow often should I go to the dentist if I smoke?Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.If you smoke a lot or have particularly inflamed gums, I recommend more cleaning than every six months. For these cases, I would actually recommend coming in to see a dentist every three months.
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QuestionWill flossing too hard damage my gums permanently?Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.If your gums bleed because you floss too hard or aggressively, they will heal. It's basically a tearing of your gums that will heal.
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References
- ↑ https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease#periodontitis
- ↑ https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm#periodontitis
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gum-disease/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22753-gum-recession
- ↑ http://www.uthscsa.edu/patient-care/dental/services/gum-grafting
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21727-dental-bone-graft
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354479
- ↑ https://www.gumdoc.net/instructions-post-op-care/extraction-with-site-preservation/
- ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=1409
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm#periodontitis
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm#periodontitis
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10910-mouthguards
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10955-teeth-grinding-bruxism
- ↑ http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/receding-gums
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm#periodontitis
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22753-gum-recession
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/gum-disease-dental-problems
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22753-gum-recession
About This Article
Article Summary
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Gum loss is usually a result of a dental disease from excess plaque and tartar. Although gums don't grow back like other tissue, you can stop them getting any worse by visiting your dentist regularly and taking good care of your teeth. Your dentist will advise you on the best course of action, which might include regular dental cleanings or tissue surgery if your gum loss is really bad. If you have a gum infection, they’ll probably prescribe antibiotics to treat it. Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day and floss once to get rid of bacteria. If you smoke, try to cut down and quit, since cigarette smoke can cause a lot of damage to your teeth and gums. Ask your dentist or search online for support quitting smoking. For more tips, including how to spot signs of unhealthy gums, read on.
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- "I recently had a teeth scaling done to the right half of my mouth, and the gum area swollen and still painful after 11 days. I needed at-home remedies because I am not sure I will be returning to the dentist. This helped me a great deal." ..." more
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"I recently had a teeth scaling done to the right half of my mouth, and the gum area swollen and still painful after 11 days. I needed at-home remedies because I am not sure I will be returning to the dentist. This helped me a great deal."
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