Can A Dentist Fix Receding Gums? Understanding Your Treatment Options

That moment you see a little more tooth than you remember—or maybe you get a sharp pain when cold water touches your gums—can be worrying. You might be wondering: “Can a dentist do anything for receding gums, or am I out of luck?”

If you’re looking for answers, good news: you’re not alone, and yes, dentists can help treat receding gums in most cases.

First, let’s answer the big question: Can a dentist fix receding gums?

Yes, they can. Dentists and gum specialists (called periodontists) have many ways—some simple, some more serious—to slow down, stop, or even fix gum recession.

What Are Receding Gums, and Why Should You Care?
Why Are My Gums Receding? Common Causes Made Simple
How Dentists Check for Receding Gums
Treatment Options: What a Dentist Can Do for Receding Gums
Easy, Non-Surgical Treatments
Surgical Options for Worse Cases
Tips to Prevent Gum Recession (and Keep It from Happening Again)
When Should You Visit the Dentist?
Costs, Insurance, and What to Expect
Summary: Main Points and What to Do Next

1. What Are Receding Gums, and Why Should You Care?

Let’s start simple. Gum recession happens when your gum tissue slowly pulls away from your teeth, showing the sensitive roots underneath. You might see your teeth looking “longer” or notice little grooves near where your tooth meets the gum. Many people spot it first because their teeth get more sensitive or they see small dark gaps between teeth.

But why does it matter?

Bare roots: When gums pull back, roots don’t have their usual cover. That makes them more sensitive to heat, cold, sweet foods, or even brushing.
More decay risk: Roots are easier to get cavities because they don’t have the tough enamel that covers most teeth.
Risk of losing teeth: If you don’t treat it, the bone under your teeth can shrink too, which can lead to losing teeth.
Looks: Lots of people don’t like the way it looks when gums shrink, making teeth look longer or uneven.
Bad breath and discomfort: Receded gums leave spots for bacteria, which can cause gum disease, bad breath, or even infections.

Catching recession early can save your smile. Studies say up to 88% of people over 65 have at least one spot with gum recession, but treatments work best if started soon.

2. Why Are My Gums Receding? Common Causes Made Simple

Gum recession rarely comes out of nowhere. Like a leaky faucet, there’s usually a reason (sometimes more than one). Here’s what can make your gums pull away:

Bad Oral Care

Skipping brushing and flossing lets sticky stuff (plaque) collect along your gums. It turns into hard tartar, which makes gums sore and puffy. Over time, this creates gum disease and bone loss, and your gums can slowly slip away.

Brushing Too Hard

It sounds strange, but brushing your teeth like you’re scrubbing a dirty pan actually hurts your gums. Too much pressure can make gums move away over time.

Tip: Use a soft toothbrush and gentle, little circles.

Family History

Sometimes it’s not your fault. About 3 out of 10 people are born with thin or weak gums that can shrink more easily. If your parents had gum problems, you might too.

Hormone Changes

Grow-ups, pregnancy, and menopause all cause hormone surges. These can make gums easier to irritate and more likely to bleed or pull back.

Tobacco

Smoking or chewing tobacco cuts down blood flow to your mouth. This makes healing slow and gum tissue weaker. People who use tobacco get gum problems much more often.

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) and Bite Problems

Pushing your teeth together too hard, or grinding them at night, puts too much force on gums and bone. If your bite is off, some spots get extra stress, which wears gums away.

Crowded Teeth or Dental Gear

Teeth that are crooked or crowded are tricky to clean, so bacteria grow there. Badly fitting dental gear or oral piercings can also rub and bother your gums.

Other Causes

Diabetes and some medicines (like for blood pressure or depression) can hurt gum health.
Getting older also raises your odds—gums just get thinner as we age.

(Want easy ways to avoid gum problems? Check out our section on oral care below.)

3. How Dentists Check for Receding Gums

You might think you can see recession in the mirror, but dentists have special tools to see how bad it is. Here’s what to expect when you go in:

Looking at Your Gums

The dentist will look closely at your gum line, checking for exposed roots, redness, swelling, or notches on your teeth. Sometimes, they take close-up pictures to keep an eye on things over time.

Measuring Gum “Pockets”

Dentists use a tiny tool (like a skinny ruler) to gently check the spaces between your teeth and gums. Healthy gums have shallow pockets. Deeper pockets mean there’s bone loss and more serious gum issues.

Dental X-rays

X-rays let dentists see under the gums. They look for bone loss around your tooth roots—this shows how far the problem goes.

Talking About Your Symptoms

Tell your dentist what you’ve noticed: like pain, bleeding, or changes in how your teeth look. This helps them see the full picture.

Don’t worry: Checking for recession doesn’t hurt, it’s quick, and it can help keep more serious problems away.

4. Treatment Options: What a Dentist Can Do for Receding Gums

Here’s what you really want to know. If your gums are shrinking back, what can a dentist really do? Good news: there are choices—from simple treatments to special surgery for big problems.

4.1. Easy, Non-Surgical Treatments

If your recession is new or mild, your dentist may pick one or more of these:

Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)

This is a super-thorough cleaning where the dentist gently scrapes away the hard stuff (tartar and plaque) above and below your gums. They also smooth your tooth roots, which helps gums stick back.

Good: Doesn’t hurt much, works for early problems, often covered by insurance.
Not so good: Might need to do it again; can make teeth a little sensitive for a while.

Dental Bonding (Composite Resin)

If you have root showing that bothers you or feels sensitive, the dentist can cover it with a tooth-colored resin. This protects it and makes it blend in.

Good: Fast, easy, looks natural.
Not so good: Lasts about 5–10 years, might need repairs.

Desensitizing Gels and Fluoride

Dentists can put special gels or paints on exposed roots to block pain signals. This doesn’t fix recession but helps with sensitivity.

Good: Quick and safe, easy for dentist or hygienist to apply.
Not so good: You’ll probably need it done again and again.

Medicines for Infection

If you have swollen or infected gums, your dentist might give you a rinse or gel with medicine to get rid of the germs and help the gums heal.

Good: Fights infection, helps healing.
Not so good: Usually used together with other treatments, not by itself.

Night Guards for Clenching or Grinding

If grinding your teeth is causing problems, a custom night guard acts like a pillow for your teeth at night.

Good: Easy and comfy, stops tooth and gum damage at night.
Not so good: Works only if grinding is your main problem.

Better Home Habits

Your dentist will show you how to brush and floss the right way, help set regular cleanings, and give you tips just for you. Small changes can really help.

4.2. Surgical Options for Worse Cases

If your gum recession is serious, or early treatments don’t work, don’t worry. Dentists have advanced surgeries that rebuild lost gum and protect teeth.

Gum Grafting (Put Gum Back)

This is the best-known way to rebuild gums. The dentist takes a little piece of healthy tissue—often from the roof of your mouth—and puts it over the spot where gums disappeared.

Connective Tissue Graft: The most common. Tissue from under the top of your mouth is sewn over the root.
Free Graft: A thin slice of tissue from the roof of your mouth covers the spot.
Pedicle Graft: Tissue from right next to the bad spot is moved over and sewn in place.
Donor/Synthetic Grafts: If you don’t want your own tissue used, sometimes labs make special gum tissue, or donor tissue is used.

Do these work?

Studies show new gum covers 75–100% of root, and this lasts a long time if you take care of it. Over 9 out of 10 people feel better after.

Pinhole Surgery

This method uses a tiny needle hole above the gum. Your dentist moves your own gums down to cover the roots. No big cuts or stitches.

Good: Less pain, fast healing, looks good.
Not so good: Not for everyone, best for local (small) problems.

Bone and Tissue Building

If you lost bone too, dentists can sometimes use special materials or proteins to help bone and gum grow back around teeth. It’s like “rebuilding the foundation.”

Good: Can save teeth, brings bone back.
Not so good: More complicated, takes longer to heal, not for every situation.

Other Cosmetic Fixes

Crowns or Veneers can cover up spots where roots show (especially in front). Ask your dentist if this could work for your smile.
Laser Treatments: Some dentists use lasers to shape gums or clear out germs, with quick recovery.

5. Tips to Prevent Gum Recession (and Keep It from Happening Again)

Dentists can fix gums, but what you do every day keeps them healthy for the long run. Here’s how:

Brush gently, twice a day, using a soft brush.
Floss every day, and ask how to do it right.
See your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings—usually twice a year.
Quit tobacco. Smoking almost doubles your risk.
Eat foods with vitamin C and CoQ10—these are good for gums.
Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
Control health issues like diabetes.
Avoid oral piercings or hard-to-clean dental work if you can.
Use mouth rinses if your dental team recommends it.

Taking care now means less trouble (and less cost) later!

6. When Should You Visit the Dentist?

A little gum change is normal as you age, but don’t wait if you notice:

Teeth looking longer or gaps at your gum line
More sensitivity, especially to hot or cold
Red, puffy, or bleeding gums
Bad breath
Pain, tenderness, or loose teeth

The quicker you act, the easier and cheaper it is to fix. A professional cleaning and new habits can often reverse gum problems if you start early.

7. Costs, Insurance, and What to Expect

Wondering: “How much will this cost?” Costs change a lot based on where you live and what you need, but here’s a rough idea:

Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing): Usually $100–$400 for a quarter of your mouth. Most insurance covers some or all of this if you have gum disease benefits.
Gum Grafting: About $600–$1,500 for each tooth. Price depends on how tricky it is and what tissue is used.
Pinhole Surgery: $1,000–$3,000 per spot, about the same as regular grafts.
Bonding: $150–$600 per tooth.

Dental Insurance can help. Many plans pay for gum treatments, especially if your dentist says they’re needed. Ask your dentist for an estimate and your insurance company what’s covered.

How long does it last?

Grafts and pinhole surgery: Last 10–20 years if you care for your teeth.
Bonding: Might need a touch-up every 5–10 years.

Many offices also have payment plans to make things easier.

8. Summary: Main Points and What to Do Next

If you see your gums shrinking and feel nervous, remember: you have choices, and you don’t have to do this alone. Here’s what matters:

Don’t ignore receding gums—they don’t get better by themselves.
Dentists and gum specialists have many ways to help your gums.
Treatments range from strong cleanings to special surgery, and most people are happy with their results.
You play a big part—brush, floss, and see your dentist.
Act fast for best results. Even if recession is bad, help is out there.

Quick List: What Can a Dentist Do for Receding Gums?

Check and map your gum health with easy, pain-free exams
Clean out germs and help gums get healthy
Use quick fixes like desensitizing varnish, bonding, or rinses for sensitivity
Restore lost gum with surgery if needed
Work with you on a plan to keep gums healthy
Support your smile with regular visits and advice

Your Next Steps:

Make a dental appointment if you notice receding gums or if it’s been a while since your last visit.
Ask about your specific risks and how to prevent more recession.
If you need special work (like crowns, veneers, or implants), look for a dental provider who works with a trusted dental ceramics lab for quality results.
And remember: You don’t have to be perfect. Just do your best, and keep moving forward!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Receding Gums

Q: Can receding gums grow back?

A: Gums don’t grow back on their own. But dentists can cover your roots with treatments like grafting or pinhole surgery.

Q: Does it hurt to fix gum recession?

A: Most treatments are done numbed up, so you’ll feel little or no pain. Soreness after is usually mild and goes away quickly.

Q: Is it safe to get cosmetic work like veneers on receding gums?

A: Maybe. Fixing how things look can help, but your dentist needs to make sure your gums and bone are healthy first.

Q: I brush and floss every day—why are my gums still receding?

A: It could be brushing too hard, your genes, bite problems, health conditions, or habits like grinding. Your dentist can help find the reason.

Q: How long to heal from gum grafts?

A: Most people can eat normal foods in about a week. Full healing can take a few weeks, depending on what was done.

Final Thoughts

Knowing about gum recession helps you take charge of your mouth—and your health! Don’t be shy at your next dental visit: ask questions, stay involved, and keep up your good habits.

If you’re ready, book a check-up. Your smile will thank you later!

Can a Dentist Fix Receding Gums? Understanding Your Treatment Options

In This Article

1. What Are Receding Gums, and Why Should You Care?