Antibiotics may also be recommended. Along with good at-home oral hygiene and lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and eating a healthier diet, this is usually enough to reverse and eliminate gingivitis entirely.
Gum graft surgery is the most predictable and long-lasting treatment option for gum recession. Typically, a periodontist (gum specialist) performs this procedure. During this surgery, a gum graft is used to replace your missing gum tissue.
It's never too late to seek treatment for gum disease, and the degree of treatment you require will depend on how advanced it is.
Some common causes of gum disease are poor oral hygiene, smoking, hormonal changes, diabetes, and certain medications. Some people are also genetically predisposed to gum issues. Fortunately, gum disease is preventable, treatable, and can even be reversed if detected early.
The good news is that if you treat your gingivitis quickly and effectively, you can reverse it and prevent periodontitis. This is a serious form of gum disease that requires invasive dental treatment and can even cause bone and tooth loss. The process for eliminating gingivitis takes just about two weeks.
Vitamin C strengthens your gums and the soft tissue in your mouth. It can protect against gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and can prevent your teeth from loosening.
Salt. Saltwater rinses are an excellent at-home treatment for inflamed or receding gums. Simply dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse your mouth for 30 seconds. Rinse with salt water two to three times each day.
In some cases, it may be too late for gum grafting to save the gums. If your gums are severely damaged, receding so far back that they expose the tooth's root, or if there is significant bone loss from advanced gum disease, gum grafting may not be able to restore them to their healthy state.
Healthy gums are firm and pale pink and fit snugly around teeth. Signs and symptoms of periodontitis can include: Swollen or puffy gums. Bright red, dusky red or purplish gums.
Using a Waterpik® Water Flosser is clinically proven to: Remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas along the gum line and between teeth. Help prevent, reduce, or reverse gingivitis (gum disease)
Initial healing will take about 10 to 14 days to take place. It will take about 6 months for full gum maturation to complete.
Receding gums is often a sign of underlying gum disease, although smoking and improper brushing can also cause gum recession. If you notice your gums are receding, see your dentist for an evaluation. If they suspect you have periodontal disease, they may refer you to a periodontist for further evaluation and treatment.
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
Only a dentist can diagnose periodontal disease. If you are suffering with any of the symptoms listed above, schedule a dental exam immediately to find out if you need periodontal treatment. If you are symptom-free, you still need to visit your dentist twice yearly for an exam.
Bleeding gums – Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss. Persistent bad breath – Caused by bacteria in the mouth. New spacing between teeth – Caused by bone loss. Loose teeth – Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone).
Is gum graft surgery worth it? Gum grafting boasts high success rates of over 90%. This procedure gives you the best chance of treating gum recession and improving your overall oral health. Left untreated, gum recession can result in cavities, severe gum disease, tooth mobility and even eventual tooth loss.
The actual gum grafting procedure is painless. This is because a local anesthetic is used to numb the affected area. A periodontist, who is a dental specialist in gum disease and the gums, typically performs this procedure. You may instead feel some movement or pressure as your periodontist performs the procedure.
Modern treatments for the disease are often related to prevention and management rather than providing a cure. The only way to fully get rid of periodontal disease is to extract the infection at its source by extracting the teeth. The bacteria cannot live, so the periodontal disease leaves the body.
Hydrogen peroxide on gums can reduce plaque. It kills the bacteria that cause gum diseases. The anaerobic bacteria between your teeth can't survive the oxygen released by hydrogen peroxide.
Surgery - If your gums already have pockets that are too deep or you've experienced too much bone loss, a deep cleaning won't be enough to treat the gum recession. In these instances, surgery may be necessary. Bone regeneration and tissue or gum grafts are two procedures frequently recommended to address receding gums.
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse – A mix of water and hydrogen peroxide can help treat sore, red, or swollen gums. To use hydrogen peroxide for receding gums combine 1/4 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup of water, swish for 30 seconds, and spit it out. This can be repeated two to three times a week.
Water. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep teeth clean and healthy as it washes away food particles regularly. Preventing the build up of plaque this way is an important way to support gum health.