Can Receding Gums Grow Back?

The short answer is no — receding gums do not grow back naturally. Once gum tissue has been lost, the body cannot regenerate it to its original position. However, that does not mean nothing can be done. At Townsville Dental Clinic, we offer both surgical and non-surgical options to restore lost gum tissue, protect exposed roots, and prevent further recession. A study in the Journal of Periodontology (2015) found that connective tissue grafting achieves root coverage of 80 to 95 per cent in most cases, effectively reversing the cosmetic and functional effects of recession. The earlier recession is addressed, the better the outcomes — so understanding the causes and treatment options is essential.

Why Gums Recede

Gum recession occurs when the margin of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth pulls back, or wears away, exposing more of the tooth or the tooth’s root. This process can be gradual — many patients do not notice recession until a tooth looks noticeably longer, feels sensitive, or a dentist points it out during a checkup.

Common Causes

Gum disease (periodontitis) is the leading cause. Bacterial infection destroys the gum tissue and underlying bone, causing the gums to detach from the teeth and recede. Even after treatment, the gum tissue does not return to its previous level.

Aggressive brushing is the second most common cause, particularly in patients who use a hard-bristled toothbrush and apply heavy pressure. Horizontal scrubbing motions are especially damaging. This type of recession often appears on the outer (buccal) surfaces of the upper premolars and canines.

Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) places excessive lateral forces on the teeth, which can cause the surrounding bone and gum tissue to recede. Bruxism-related recession is common in patients who grind during sleep and are unaware of the habit.

Genetics play a significant role. Some people are born with thinner gum tissue (thin biotype) that is more susceptible to recession, regardless of their oral hygiene practices.

Other factors include tobacco use, tongue or lip piercings, misaligned teeth, hormonal fluctuations, and orthodontic treatment that moves teeth outside the bony envelope.

Signs You Have Gum Recession

• Teeth appear longer than they used to
• A notch or groove can be felt at the gum line
• Sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet foods — particularly along the root surface
• Yellowing near the gum line where the darker root surface is exposed (root dentine is naturally darker than enamel)
• Spaces appearing between teeth that were not previously visible

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Treatments

For mild recession (1–2 mm) that is not progressing:

• Desensitising treatments — professional fluoride varnish or GIC (glass ionomer cement) applied to exposed root surfaces
• Composite bonding — tooth-coloured resin applied over the exposed root to reduce sensitivity and improve aesthetics
• Desensitising toothpaste — products containing potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride for ongoing home management

Surgical Treatments

For moderate to severe recession, or when aesthetics are a concern:

Connective tissue graft — the gold standard. A small piece of connective tissue is harvested from beneath the palate and sutured over the exposed root. Success rates for root coverage exceed 80 per cent in most published studies.

Free gingival graft — a strip of tissue is taken directly from the palate surface and placed at the recession site. This technique is best suited for increasing the width (thickness) of attached gum tissue rather than root coverage.

Pinhole surgical technique (PST) — a minimally invasive alternative where small holes are made in the gum tissue, and the existing tissue is loosened and repositioned over the exposed roots. Collagen strips are placed to stabilise the tissue. Recovery is typically faster than traditional grafting.

Guided tissue regeneration — a membrane is placed between the gum tissue and bone to encourage the body’s own regenerative capacity. This is sometimes combined with grafting.

When to Act

Do not wait until recession is severe. The ideal time to treat recession is when:

• You first notice a tooth looking longer or feeling sensitive
• Your dentist measures increasing recession at successive appointments
• Exposed roots are at risk of root decay — root surfaces are softer than enamel and decay more easily

Related Services

• Gum Disease Treatment
• Gum Recontouring

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