Stop the Slide: Modern Solutions for Receding Gums and Root Exposure

Have you looked in the mirror lately and thought one or more of your teeth suddenly seemed longer?

The tooth probably hasn’t changed. Your gumline may have.

Gum recession happens when the tissue surrounding a tooth gradually pulls away or wears down, exposing part of the root. Because it often develops slowly, you may first notice it when your smile looks different or a sip of something cold suddenly makes you wince.

At St. Tammany Periodontics & Implants, our periodontists treat gum recession with an important goal in mind: protecting the health and stability of your natural teeth.

Why an exposed root matters

Your gums do much more than frame your smile. They form a protective barrier around your teeth and help support the structures that keep them securely in place.

When gums recede, they expose the tooth root. Unlike the crown of your tooth, the root isn’t protected by hard enamel. Instead, it’s covered by a softer material called cementum, making an exposed root more vulnerable to sensitivity and decay.

That’s why recession can cause that familiar zing when you drink something hot or cold. It also helps explain why treating recession is about much more than appearance.

As recession progresses, you may face root cavities, further tissue or bone loss, loose teeth, and, in severe cases, tooth loss. The sooner we identify the problem, the more opportunity we have to protect the tooth and surrounding structures.

Why are your gums receding?

There isn’t one answer, and recession doesn’t automatically mean you’ve neglected your teeth.

Periodontal disease can cause gums to pull away from the teeth as supporting tissues become damaged. But recession can also result from aggressive brushing, previous orthodontic treatment, trauma, tooth position, or structural factors such as a high frenal attachment.

Some people simply have thinner gum tissue that makes them more susceptible to recession.

Finding the cause matters, because repairing the gumline without addressing what contributed to the problem could leave that area vulnerable again.

Can receding gums grow back?

Unfortunately, lost gum tissue doesn’t simply regenerate on its own, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with an exposed root.

Depending on the extent and cause of the recession, the first step may involve controlling periodontal disease, changing brushing habits, or addressing another factor that continues to stress the gums. 

Our periodontists can evaluate how much tissue you have lost and whether additional treatment is necessary to protect the exposed area.

For many people with significant recession, tissue grafting offers a predictable way to restore protection where the gum has pulled away.

Rebuilding protection around your tooth

During a gum grafting procedure, we place tissue where your gum needs reinforcement. The graft may use tissue taken from another area of your mouth, often the roof of your mouth, which we then carefully position and secure around the affected tooth.

As the area heals, the graft integrates with the surrounding tissue. The added coverage can protect vulnerable root surfaces, reduce sensitivity, reinforce the gumline, and improve the appearance of teeth affected by recession.

Modern gum grafting procedures also let us tailor treatment to the location and severity of your recession, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Don’t wait for recession to hurt

One tricky thing about gum recession is that it doesn’t always announce itself with discomfort. You may notice a tooth looks longer, see a small notch near the gumline, or realize the roots of several teeth have become visible. 

Sensitivity may develop, but some people have little or none. That makes appearance an important clue rather than merely a cosmetic concern. Once gum tissue has receded, waiting for it to grow back won’t solve the problem.

Regular dental exams can catch recession early, and periodontal maintenance can help protect your gums when periodontal disease contributes to tissue loss. If you’ve already noticed changes, a periodontist can determine how far the recession has progressed and what we can do to prevent further damage.

Protect the teeth you already have

Your gums may have started to slide, but that doesn’t mean the problem has to keep progressing.

At St. Tammany Periodontics & Implants, Caesar Sweidan, DDS, Laura Smith, DDS, and Cyrus Mansouri, DDS, specialize in diagnosing and treating gum recession. Whether you need help controlling the cause, ongoing periodontal care, or tissue grafting to reinforce an exposed root, we recommend treatment based on what your gums and teeth need.

If your teeth look longer, your roots are becoming visible, or sensitivity has you avoiding your favorite hot or cold foods, schedule an evaluation at our Covington or Slidell, Louisiana, office. Taking care of recession now can protect your natural teeth for years to come.