People search “gum recession grow back” because they want a straight answer. They look in the mirror and see teeth “getting longer,” sensitivity rising, and the gumline moving. The confusing part is that symptoms can improve while lost tissue usually does not.
This guide explains what can realistically “grow back,” what cannot, and what dentists and periodontists do to stop recession and restore coverage.
Table of Contents
Featured Snippet Answer
Receding gums usually cannot grow back once gum tissue is lost. You can often stop progression with better oral hygiene and professional treatment. True root coverage typically requires periodontal procedures such as a connective tissue graft or other surgical approaches. Cleveland Clinic
Gum Recession Basics: What “Grow Back” Means
Gum recession (gingival recession) is the apical movement of the gingival margin. In plain terms, the gumline shifts down and exposes more tooth root. Cleveland Clinic
Two different problems get mixed up
- Inflammation and swelling: gums look puffy, red, and bleed. This can improve fast.
- Tissue loss and attachment loss: gum and sometimes bone support are gone. This is harder to reverse.
If you treat gum disease, gums can look healthier. That is real progress. But it is not the same as regrowing lost gum tissue.
What Causes Receding Gums
Gum recession is usually multi-factor. Common drivers include:
- Gum Disease (gingivitis and periodontitis)
- Plaque bacteria and tartar (calculus)
- Aggressive brushing or hard bristles
- Tooth position (crowding, thin gum tissue, orthodontic movement)
- Teeth grinding and bite trauma
- Smoking and poor healing
- Poor oral hygiene and infrequent dental cleanings
When gum disease advances, gums can pull away from teeth, forming pockets where plaque gets trapped. That can lead to deeper infection and bone loss if untreated. ADA
Also Read: A Patient’s Guide to Understanding Your Dental Insurance
Can Gum Recession Grow Back Naturally
The direct answer
For most people: no. Multiple patient-facing clinical sources state that receding gums do not naturally regenerate to their original position after tissue is lost. Cleveland Clinic
Why gums do not “reattach” on their own
Once recession exposes root surface, the original attachment and tissue architecture are altered. In many cases, the body does not rebuild that attachment without guided treatment.
What you can do naturally is:
- Stop the causes that are pushing recession forward.
- Reduce inflammation so gums look and feel better.
- Protect exposed roots from decay and sensitivity.
That is still valuable. It just needs the right expectation.
Also Read: How to Manage Tooth Sensitivity: A Practical Guide?
When Gum Recession Can Look Like It Improved
People sometimes think recession “grew back” because symptoms improved. This can happen in a few situations:
1) Gingivitis improves and the gumline looks fuller
If your gums were swollen and inflamed, they may tighten and look pinker after plaque control improves. Gingivitis symptoms can improve with better cleaning and professional care. Cleveland Clinic+1
2) “Pseudo-pockets” shrink
Inflamed tissue can create deeper probing numbers that are not true attachment loss. When inflammation reduces, the measurement changes. The ADA notes that probing depth is affected by recession or inflammation, while clinical attachment loss is more stable. ADA
3) Better brushing reduces trauma
Switching to gentle technique can stop daily injury at the gumline. The tissue may look calmer, even if the margin position does not fully return.
Treatments That Can Restore the Gumline
If your goal is true “grow back” in the sense of root coverage, you are usually looking at periodontal procedures. The exact option depends on recession type, gum thickness (biotype), and whether periodontal disease is active.
What treatment aims to achieve
- Cover exposed root to reduce sensitivity
- Improve gumline appearance
- Increase keratinized tissue and stability
- Prevent further recession and bone loss ADA
Deep Cleaning and Gum Disease Treatment
If gum recession is linked to active gum disease, treating the disease comes first.
Scaling and Root Planing (SRP)
SRP is a deep cleaning below the gumline used to treat gum disease. It removes plaque and tartar from root surfaces and helps reduce pocket inflammation. ADA
Antibiotic therapy (selected cases)
Some periodontal treatment plans include antimicrobial approaches when infection is significant. Your dentist decides based on pocket depth, bleeding, and risk factors.
Why this matters for “grow back”
SRP can improve gum health, reduce bleeding, and slow progression. But it usually does not move the gumline back up to cover exposed roots.
Surgical Options: Grafts, PST, GTR, Emdogain, AlloDerm
This is where root coverage becomes realistic.
Connective Tissue Graft (CTG): common “gold standard”
A subepithelial connective tissue graft is widely described as a highly predictable option for root coverage and keratinized tissue gain, often considered the “gold standard” for recession defects. NCBI+1
What it is: tissue is taken (often from the palate) and placed to thicken and cover recession areas.
What it can do: improve coverage, reduce sensitivity, and increase tissue thickness.
The ADA describes gum graft surgery as intended to prevent further gum recession and bone loss and reduce sensitivity, using tissue from the palate or donor sources to cover exposed roots. ADA
Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST)
PST is a minimally invasive approach described in the literature and case reports for treating gingival recession, generally involving a small entry point and repositioning tissue. PMC+1
Reality check: Some clinics also note limits and evidence concerns depending on the claims being made. Dentist in Seattle, WA |
Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR)
GTR uses a barrier membrane to help guide tissue healing and regeneration by blocking fast-growing tissue from occupying the space needed for periodontal regeneration. MDPI+1
In recession treatment, GTR has been studied in comparison with connective tissue grafting. PubMed
Emdogain (Enamel Matrix Derivative)
Emdogain is an enamel matrix derivative used in periodontal regenerative approaches. Recent literature reviews report positive effects on gingival tissue quality and keratinized tissue outcomes in root coverage contexts, though results vary by technique and case selection. PMC+1
AlloDerm and other acellular dermal matrix grafts
AlloDerm is an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) graft used as a substitute for autogenous connective tissue in certain root coverage procedures. Studies describe its use combined with coronally advanced flap approaches. PMC+1
At-Home Plan to Stop Recession From Getting Worse
If you want the best outcome, home care is not optional. Even if you choose surgery, results depend on maintenance.
Daily plan (simple and effective)
- Brush twice daily for 2 minutes with gentle pressure.
- Clean between teeth once daily (floss or interdental brush).
- If you have gum disease, follow your dentist’s plan for professional cleanings.
- Stop smoking if applicable. It harms healing and gum health.
- If you grind your teeth, ask about a night guard.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Dental Floss
Watch for warning signs
- Increasing sensitivity at the gumline
- Gumline notch getting deeper
- Bleeding with brushing or flossing
- Bad breath that does not improve
- Teeth feeling loose
If these are present, you may have active periodontal disease, not just recession. Periodontal disease is inflammation and infection of the tissues supporting the teeth, with symptoms including bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth. Cleveland Clinic
Toothbrushing Technique and Product Choices
Product choice matters less than technique, but it still matters for specific problems like bleeding gums.
Toothbrushing technique
- Soft bristles
- Light pressure
- Small circles at the gumline
- Avoid “sawing” back and forth at the margin
Aggressive brushing is a known recession driver. The goal is control, not force.
Also Read: 5 Common Brushing Mistakes That Can Lead to Gum Recession
Mouthwash and toothpaste: where Corsodyl fits (examples, not a cure)
Some people use gum-focused products to help manage plaque bacteria and bleeding gums. Corsodyl’s range includes multiple products that target gum health as part of daily care, such as:
Toothpaste examples
- Corsodyl Active Gum Repair Toothpaste Fresh Mint (a fluoride toothpaste marketed as removing plaque bacteria to help repair bleeding, swollen, and inflamed gums) corsodyl.co.uk
- Corsodyl Active Gum Repair Whitening Active Gum Repair Toothpaste (same Active Gum Repair line) corsodyl.co.uk
- Corsodyl Toothpaste Original Toothpaste, Ultra Clean Toothpaste, and other Corsodyl toothpaste options listed in the brand’s product pages Corsodyl
- Gum Strengthen and Protect Toothpaste Fresh Mint, Gum Strengthen and Protect Toothpaste Whitening, and related “Gum Strengthen and Protect” products corsodyl.co.uk+1
Mouthwash examples
- Corsodyl Daily Gum Care Mouthwash Fresh Mint (fluoride mouthwash, alcohol free, positioned for daily use with 24-hour protection claims when used twice daily) corsodyl.co.uk
- Corsodyl Complete Protection Mouthwash Mild Mint (marketed as having multiple benefits for healthy gums and strong teeth) corsodyl.co.uk
- Corsodyl Active Gum Health Mouthwash Soft Mint (marketed as helping promote a healthy gum seal) corsodyl.co.uk
Intensive treatment examples (short-term medicated products)
- Corsodyl Intensive Treatment Mouthwash Original, Mint, Fresh Mint (chlorhexidine digluconate medicine for early gum disease signs, with short-term use positioning) corsodyl.co.uk+2corsodyl.co.uk+2
- Corsodyl 1% w/w Dental Gel (chlorhexidine digluconate gel for early gum disease signs and other indicated uses) corsodyl.co.uk
Toothbrush example
- Corsodyl Toothbrush Complete Protection Toothbrush (product page lists features like cleaning along the gum line and plaque removal, plus a replace-every-3-months recommendation) corsodyl.co.uk+1
Important clarification
Gum-focused toothpaste or mouthwash can help with plaque control and gingivitis symptoms. It does not regrow lost gum tissue by itself. If recession is moderate to severe, you still need a dentist or periodontist assessment.
FAQ
1) Can gum recession grow back
In most cases, no. Lost gum tissue generally does not regenerate naturally. You can often stop it from worsening and improve gum health with professional care and better hygiene. Cleveland Clinic+1
2) Can gums grow back after gum recession
The gum tissue typically does not grow back to cover exposed roots on its own. Root coverage usually requires periodontal procedures such as grafting or other surgical approaches. ADA+1
3) Is gum recession reversible in early stages
If “early stage” means mild recession with active inflammation, you may see cosmetic improvement as gums become healthier. But true tissue regrowth is uncommon without periodontal intervention. ADA+1
4) What is the best treatment to restore the gumline
For many recession defects, a connective tissue graft is considered highly predictable and often described as a gold standard for root coverage. NCBI+1
5) Will scaling and root planing make gums grow back
Scaling and root planing treats gum disease by deep cleaning below the gumline. It can reduce inflammation and pockets, but it usually does not restore lost gum tissue coverage over exposed roots. ADA+1
Conclusion
If you are searching “gum recession grow back,” the honest answer is that receding gums usually do not regrow naturally once tissue is lost. Cleveland Clinic+1
What you can do is still powerful: stop the causes, treat gum disease early, and protect exposed roots. If you want real root coverage, talk to a periodontist about options like connective tissue grafting, and ask whether alternatives like PST, GTR, or Emdogain are appropriate for your case. PubMed+2
