You might not have thought about your gums all that often, especially if you’re otherwise healthy and have good oral hygiene. However, the fascinating truth is that the gums are an integral part of keeping your teeth and mouth healthy. But when you lose gum tissue due to periodontal disease or gum recession, you might be wondering whether gums grow back.
This post will look at how the gums work and what can cause them to shrink or recede. Next, we’ll look at if gums can grow back. Finally, we’ll look at the best ways to get your gums to be their healthiest.
Your Gums Serve as an Important Barrier
The mucosal gum tissue is part of the soft tissue that lines the mouth. It serves the critical function of forming a seal around the teeth. Each tooth’s strong, resilient enamel crown protrudes from the bone that holds it in place, ready for chewing and grinding duties. However, the gums keep each tooth’s delicate, sensitive root sealed from all the action happening in the mouth.
This seal forms an effective barrier against food particles and bacterial intrusion. This is great because your mouth is home to an entire bacterial micro-ecosystem that feeds on minute food particles and thrives in warm, dark, and moist environments.
Healthy gums have a coral pink color, an orange-peel-like texture, and a firm feel resisting movement. Color can vary, but color uniformity is an important characteristic. They hold tightly and have very thin margins where they attach to the tooth.
Unhealthy gums, however, can appear swollen, puffy, and discolored. Critically, they bleed when disturbed and can even exude pus in advanced cases of infection – both things that healthy gums do not do. Receding gums can even result in tooth mobility, where individual teeth are not held firm within their sockets.
Do Gums Grow Back?
The gum tissue is delicate enough that any progression of periodontal disease that damages them can only be slowed down. Unfortunately, damaged gum tissue cannot grow back.
However, a dentist can treat mild cases of periodontitis with minimally invasive procedures, such as scaling and root planing. A dentist will prescribe specific antibiotics and oral hygiene products to ensure the disease does not progress further than it already has. They will also educate the patient on how to take care of their teeth with a thorough and careful oral hygiene routine, including proper brushing, flossing, and oral rinsing.
For advanced cases of periodontal disease, gums can be encouraged to regenerate minimally with gum grafts and other surgical techniques.
Conclusion
In short, gum tissue can’t grow back once it experiences damage. However, a qualified dentist or periodontist (gum specialist) will have treatments to stop the progression of gum disease. Modern gum grafting techniques can allow the healing of gum tissue in critical areas where it matters most.
Pearl Dentistry offers the highest-quality dental treatments with a caring approach focused on listening to the needs of our patients. We put your needs and comfort first, all while utilizing the latest in gum treatment techniques. For any questions or to schedule an appointment or consultation, contact us at (713) 766-4389.
