How to Fix Receding Gums

How to fix receding gums depends on what caused the recession and how severe it is. Gum tissue does not grow back on its own, so treatment falls into two categories: non-surgical care that stops recession from getting worse, such as scaling and root planing or LANAP laser therapy, and gum graft surgery that restores tissue over already-exposed roots.

What Does It Mean When Your Gums Are Receding?

Gum recession happens when the gum tissue around a tooth pulls back, exposing more of the tooth or its root. It usually happens slowly, tooth by tooth, which is why a lot of patients don’t notice it until a tooth suddenly feels sensitive to cold water or looks a little longer than it used to.

This isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Exposed roots lack the protective enamel that covers the rest of the tooth, so they’re more vulnerable to decay, sensitivity, and, over time, bone loss around the tooth. Periodontal (gum) disease is a major driver of this, and it’s more common than most people assume. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, roughly two in five adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease.

At Commonwealth Periodontics and Implant Center, we see recession at every stage, from a single tooth that’s just starting to show root to patients who’ve been living with it for years. The starting point is always the same: figure out the cause before deciding on a fix.

What Are the Early Signs of Receding Gums?

The earlier recession gets caught, the more options you have. Watch for:

• A tooth that suddenly reacts to cold drinks, ice cream, or hot coffee
• A visible notch or dip near the gumline on one or two teeth
• Teeth that look longer than they used to, especially in photos
• Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss
• A rough spot you can feel with your tongue right at the base of a tooth

One or two of these on their own aren’t necessarily alarming. Several together, especially with bleeding, usually means it’s worth getting looked at.

Why Do Gums Recede in the First Place?

Recession isn’t one condition with one cause. It’s a symptom, and the underlying reason changes what treatment actually works.

Periodontal disease is the most common driver. Plaque buildup below the gumline inflames the tissue, and if it’s left untreated, that inflammation breaks down the attachment between gum and tooth. This often starts as gingivitis, which is reversible if caught early. If you want the full picture on that stage, we’ve written more about how long it takes to get rid of gingivitis.

Aggressive brushing is the second big one, and it surprises people. Scrubbing with a hard-bristled brush, or just brushing too hard with a soft one, wears away gum tissue the same way sanding wears away wood. Gentle, consistent brushing protects gums better than forceful brushing ever will.

Recession tends to get more common with age, largely because these factors accumulate over time. Research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that about 50 percent of adults between 18 and 64 have at least one site of gum recession, and that climbs to 88 percent in adults over 65.

Can Receding Gums Grow Back on Their Own?

This is the question we hear most in consultations, and the honest answer is no. Gum tissue doesn’t regenerate the way skin does. Once it’s pulled back from a tooth, it stays there unless a graft procedure physically rebuilds it.

That doesn’t mean you’re out of options. It means the goal shifts depending on where you are in the process. If recession is just starting, the priority is stopping it before more tissue is lost. If it’s already progressed, the conversation moves to whether a graft makes sense to cover the exposed root. Healthline’s medically reviewed overview confirms the same thing we tell patients directly: gum tissue that’s already receded won’t regrow without intervention, no matter how consistent your home care is.

We say this upfront because a lot of the content online blurs the line between “manage” and “reverse,” and patients end up disappointed when a home remedy doesn’t restore coverage it was never going to restore.

Can You Fix Receding Gums Naturally at Home?

Home care has a real, limited role here. It can slow recession and support healthier gum tissue. It cannot rebuild gum coverage that’s already gone.

Where people get into trouble is treating these habits as a cure instead of a support system. If your gums are receding because of active periodontal disease, brushing more gently won’t clear the infection sitting below the gumline. That takes professional treatment. Home care and professional care work together, not as substitutes for each other.

If you’ve been managing this on your own for a while and aren’t sure whether it’s working, that’s usually the moment to get an actual measurement instead of guessing.

Get a straight answer on whether home care is enough for your case.

See what’s actually going on with your gums

What’s the Best Receding Gums Treatment When Home Care Isn’t Enough?

When recession is tied to gum disease, the first line of treatment is usually non-surgical. These options stop the progression without cutting or grafting tissue.

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the tooth root so gum tissue can reattach more securely. It’s the standard first step when recession is disease-driven, and it’s often enough on its own for mild to moderate cases. You can read more about our approach to scaling and root planing if you want the full breakdown of what a visit involves.

LANAP laser therapy is a minimally invasive alternative for patients dealing with active gum disease who want to avoid traditional cutting and suturing. The laser targets diseased tissue and bacteria while leaving healthy tissue in place, which generally means less discomfort and a faster recovery than conventional surgery. Our LANAP laser page covers what the procedure looks like from consultation through healing.

Both approaches are aimed at the same outcome: stop the recession from advancing. Neither one restores tissue that’s already gone. That’s a separate conversation.

When is Gum Graft Surgery Necessary?

If a tooth root is already exposed and the goal is to cover it again, not just stop further loss, gum graft surgery is typically the answer. At Commonwealth Periodontics and Implant Center, we use a few different techniques depending on the case.

Connective tissue grafts are the most common approach. Tissue is taken from beneath the surface layer of your palate and placed over the exposed root. Because the graft comes with its own blood supply built in, it tends to integrate well and holds up long-term.

Free gingival grafts take a thin layer of tissue directly from the roof of the mouth. These are often used when the goal is thickening gum tissue, not just covering a root, which makes them a good fit for patients whose gums are naturally thin.

Pedicle grafts use tissue from right next to the recession site itself. A flap is partially cut and stretched over the exposed area rather than harvested from elsewhere. This works well when there’s enough healthy tissue nearby to work with.

Recovery generally runs one to two weeks for initial healing, with full integration over four to eight weeks. According to our own patient outcomes, gum graft success rates run above 90 percent when patients follow post-operative care instructions, though the right technique for you depends on your specific anatomy and the extent of recession, which is exactly what a consultation is for.

How Commonwealth Periodontics and Implant Center Approaches Gum Recession

Every recession case starts with figuring out why it’s happening, not jumping straight to a procedure. Our periodontists, Dr. Lucy Belcher, Dr. William Carroll, and Dr. Susan Ballou Gibson, each completed dedicated periodontal specialty training beyond dental school, and Dr. Gibson founded the practice in 1991 with a focus limited specifically to periodontal surgery and dental implants.

That specialization matters here. A general checkup can tell you that your gums are receding. A periodontal evaluation tells you why, how far it’s progressed, and which of the options above actually fits your situation, whether that’s a cleaning, a laser treatment, or a graft.

We measure recession the same way at every visit: pocket depths, tissue thickness, and how much root is exposed on each affected tooth. That’s what determines the treatment plan, not a generic protocol applied to everyone who walks in. You can read more about our approach to patient care on our About page.

TL;DR: How to Fix Receding Gums

• Gum tissue doesn’t grow back on its own once it’s receded.
• Mild recession tied to gum disease is usually managed with scaling and root planing or LANAP laser therapy, both aimed at stopping further loss.
• Recession with exposed roots that need to be covered again typically requires gum graft surgery, using connective tissue, free gingival, or pedicle techniques depending on your anatomy.
• Home care, gentle brushing, flossing, and desensitizing toothpaste, supports treatment but doesn’t replace it.
• The right path depends on cause and severity, which is determined during an in-person periodontal evaluation, not guessed from a symptom list online.

Find out which option actually fits your gums, not a generic answer.

Book a periodontal consultation

In-person evaluation, straightforward answers, no pressure to commit to a procedure at your first visit.

FAQs About Fixing Receding Gums

Can receding gums grow back without surgery?

No. Gum tissue that has already receded does not regenerate on its own. Non-surgical treatments like scaling and root planing or LANAP laser therapy can stop recession from getting worse, but only a gum graft physically restores tissue coverage over an exposed root.

How do I know if I need a gum graft or just a deep cleaning?

It depends on whether root is already exposed and how much gum tissue remains. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) addresses the disease driving recession, while a graft is needed when tissue coverage itself needs to be rebuilt. A periodontal exam measuring pocket depth and tissue thickness is the only reliable way to tell which applies to you.

Is it too late to fix my gums if the roots are already showing?

Not necessarily. Visible root exposure is common and treatable through gum graft surgery. The main risk of waiting is further recession, root sensitivity, and eventual bone loss, so earlier evaluation generally means more straightforward treatment.

How much does gum graft surgery typically involve in terms of recovery?

Most patients see initial healing within one to two weeks, with full tissue integration over four to eight weeks. Soft foods, gentle oral hygiene around the graft site, and avoiding tobacco during recovery all support successful healing.

Can brushing too hard cause permanent gum recession?

Yes. Aggressive brushing, especially with a hard-bristled brush, is one of the most common causes of recession outside of gum disease. Switching to a soft-bristle brush and lighter pressure can prevent further damage, though it won’t restore tissue that’s already been worn away.