What types of treatment for receding gums are currently available? One of the only ways to fix full-fledged receding gums (i.e., gums with profoundly exposed roots) is with the aid of periodontal surgery. However, if your condition is still in its beginning stages, you can do without the costly surgical intervention, and opt for non-surgical methods, including: desensitizing agents, resin-bonded restorations, and conventional periodontal therapy. Conventional periodontal therapy offers two non-surgical methods of treating receding gums: scaling and root planning, which involve removing stain, calculus, and plaque from teeth.

Practicing proper oral hygiene is typically enough to help in most cases (improper brushing or by gum diseases), allowing receding gums a natural way to heal. If oral hygiene cannot reverse the receding of the gums, additional treatment may be necessary. Depending on the factors behind the receding of the gums and its severity, treatment for receding gums can be non-surgical or surgical, and it will be carried out by a suitable medical professional, such as a periodontist, an oral surgeon, or an orthodontist.

The non-surgical treatment for receded gums comprises of:

- Using desensitizing toothpastes (working agents in such toothpastes generally are sodium chloride and potassium salts). Such toothpastes lessen the sensitivity of the teeth and block the pain sensations.

- Application of desensitizing agents, including fluoride resins and gels. An application of a desensitizing agent to the exposed roots of the teeth (performed by the dentist) will immediately provide you with relief from sensitivity and pain.

- Placing of the resin-bonded restorations. Such fillings can be positioned over the worn portions of the teeth, along their necks. These fillings also offer relief from sensitivity and pain, and help to prevent the further recession.

- Undergoing tooth scaling and/or root planning. Deep professional cleaning of the lower parts of the teeth (below the gum lines) can also help in stopping the further receding of the gum.

- Correction of tooth clenching and grinding.

Severe cases of receding gums require surgical intervention (usually performed by a periodontist). Surgical procedures for receding gum line involve suturing a part of soft tissue (taken from another part of the patient’s mouth) to the affected area. This tissue will cover the sensitive roots, start the regeneration of the soft gum tissue, and protect the gums from their further recession.

It’s very important to pay attention to the early warning signs of receding gums (sensitive teeth, teeth that look longer, exposed roots, spaces between teeth, cavities underneath the gums), and to start acting straight away, in order to prevent the costly surgical intervention for treating this disorder.

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