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How do you treat receding gums?

I have receding gums. How do you treat receding gums?

4 Answers

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**Receding gums** can lead to sensitivity, tooth decay, and even tooth loss if not addressed. Treatment depends on the severity.

### **Home & Preventive Care**
- **Use a soft-bristled toothbrush** and brush gently to prevent further damage.
- **Floss daily** to remove plaque buildup that can worsen gum recession.
- **Use desensitizing toothpaste** to reduce discomfort from exposed roots.
- **Rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash** to prevent infections.
- **Avoid smoking and acidic foods** that can weaken gum tissue.

### **Professional Treatments**
- **Scaling and Root Planing** – A deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar below the gumline.
- **Gum Graft Surgery** – Tissue from another area (like the roof of the mouth) is grafted onto receded gums.
- **Pinhole Surgical Technique** – A minimally invasive procedure to reposition gum tissue.
- **Topical Antibiotics or Medications** – Helps treat gum infections and inflammation.

If your gum recession is worsening or causing discomfort, consult a dentist for the best treatment plan.
The treatment for receding gums is to perform a gingival graft in order to provide the teeth with the recession quality gum tissue.
Receding gums can be a bit of a nuisance, but there are several ways to treat and manage them. Here are some options: 1. **Deep Cleaning**: Your dentist can perform a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, to remove plaque and tartar buildup below the gum line. 2. **Medications**: Antibiotics and antimicrobial mouth rinses can help treat any underlying infections. 3. **Desensitizing Agents**: These can help reduce tooth sensitivity and make it easier to maintain oral hygiene. 4. **Composite Restoration**: Dentists can use tooth-colored composite resins to cover the exposed root surfaces. 5. **Gum Grafts**: In severe cases, a dental surgeon can graft tissue from another part of your mouth to cover the exposed roots. 6. **Night Guards**: These custom-made mouth appliances can help prevent further recession when the cause is from nighttime clenching and grinding. It's important to maintain good oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly to prevent further gum recession. If you notice any symptoms like tooth sensitivity or longer-looking teeth, it's best to consult your dentist as soon as possible.
It is important to determine the etiology of the recession in order to come up with a treatment plan. Recession can be a result of periodontal disease, excess forces on teeth, frenum attachments, habits such as tobacco / nicotine pouch placement - each of these would require a different treatment to prevent progression. Just to list a few, treatment may include laser frenum release, orthodontic movement of the teeth, and/or gum grafting.