How can you rebuild gums?
definition
Healthy gums are pale pink and have no swelling. It is connected to the bone via a connective tissue apparatus and in a healthy state extends to the so-called enamel-cement boundary. This is located exactly at the transition from the tooth crown (covered with enamel) to the tooth root (covered with cement). It is not uncommon for inflammation of the gums causes the gums to recede and the surface of the roots to appear.
The teeth then look particularly long and no longer as aesthetic as before. In addition, the necks of the teeth are often sensitive to pain and pulling pain can occur when eating cold or warm food.
Unfortunately, the gums only have a limited ability to regenerate. Gum pockets can recede with appropriate hygiene and treatment. However, the gums can no longer “grow” by themselves to the enamel-cement boundary. If there is a major loss of gums, usually only surgical interventions at the dentist help.
causes
There are several causes of gum loss and regression. Often one observes exposed tooth necks (Recessions) in people who press too hard when brushing their teeth. You have, so to speak, displaced the gums due to the mechanical pressure.
In old age, to a certain extent, it is quite natural for the gums to recede a little. The main cause here is the gradual breakdown of bone.
Even after orthodontic treatment, the movement of the tooth in the tooth holding apparatus can cause the gums to lose their hold on the tooth and move to the side. Or, the gums are so thin at one point that they cannot withstand the pull of the muscles and ligaments and therefore expose the root surface.
The most common cause is definitely gum inflammation. A distinction is made between fixed gums and freely movable gums. If there is an inflammation of the gums, so-called "gingivitits", or in an advanced stage called "periodontitis", the gums turn red due to the increased blood flow and swell due to the inflammatory reaction. Deep pockets are created between the tooth and the gum, i.e. the attached gums lose their hold on the tooth. Germs can multiply and collect quickly in these pockets.
The bone now also reacts to the inflammation and withdraws "for its own protection". If the periodontitis is treated and the diseased tooth support system is restored to a healthy state, the gums swell again. The bone forms a unit with the gums. Since this has withdrawn during the inflammation, after the inflammation has healed, the gums are no longer at the same level as before, but below the enamel-cement boundary.
Learn more about:
- Causes of inflammation of the gums
- Tooth neck is exposed - what to do?
- Chronic periodontal disease
What ways are there to rebuild the gums?
Once receded, lost gums do not grow back by themselves. That means there is then a tissue deficit. Covering exposed tooth necks and root surfaces is only possible with periodontal plastic surgery.
There are different approaches for the plastic covering of receding gums (recessions). You can move the remaining gums upwards or work with a transplant, which is usually taken from the palate.
The only exception are the smallest defects, which can often arise due to an incorrect cleaning technique. Here it can sometimes be enough to use a gentler brushing technique and wait.
Also read the article on the topic: Gum transplant
What does the dentist do?
At every check-up, the dentist not only inspects the teeth, but also the gums. If there are deep gum pockets, this indicates a disease of the periodontal system (periodontitis). The first goal is now to restore the gums to a healthy state. This is achieved by removing not only superficial plaque but also the "calculus" inaccessible to the patient, i.e. tartar under the gums. In addition, the gum pockets are rinsed and disinfected.
Once everything has healed and the condition of the gums is stable, one can think about a gum structure. As already mentioned, in some cases it makes sense to rebuild not only the gums but also the bones. Because the teeth are anchored in the bone and if this has retracted significantly in the course of the inflammation, the teeth threaten to loosen or even fall out. When removing the gums, the surgeon has the option of moving the existing gums and suturing them back in place, or, in order to compensate for the loss of tissue on the necks of the teeth, remove a strip of tissue, a so-called "transplant", from the palate. In this case, the wound on the palate is covered with a so-called "bandage plate" and has to heal for a few weeks after removal, which is often very uncomfortable. At the point where the gum is to be built up, it is detached from the bone and unfolded, the transplant is positioned so that it covers the tooth necks up to the enamel-cement border and finally both are sutured.
The healing phase now follows. The stitches are usually pulled after a week. The patient should not work with the toothbrush in the affected area for up to 3 weeks in order not to disturb the wound healing and the growing together. In many cases, once the wound has healed, no signs of the procedure can be seen. However, it can also be that the transplant differs in color from the rest of the gums, that scars form, or, in rare cases, that the transplant does not heal but is rejected and dies.
You may also be interested in this topic: Medication for inflammation of the gums
Which home remedies can help?
At home you can of course do something for the health of your gums. First and foremost is good oral hygiene. The use of dental floss or interdental brushes are essential for healthy gums, because plaque provokes the inflammation and thus also the receding of the gums. The gums can also be massaged with the toothbrush. The blood circulation is promoted, which contributes to maintaining health.
In addition to proper oral care, some home remedies promise antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This includes e.g. the chamomile tea, which is said to have a calming effect when gargled several times a day. Instead of gargling, you can also let the teabag rest on the inflamed area for a few minutes. The tannin, which is mainly found in black tea, is said to counteract inflammation.
Also brewed ginger can have anti-inflammatory effects. Gargling with diluted apple cider vinegar is also often used as a home remedy for gingivitis called. It should be noted that the antibacterial effect is due to the acid it contains. Frequent rinsing attacks the hard tooth substance and thus contributes to the development of caries. This is therefore not advisable.
A massage with essential oils, such as tea tree or clove oil, is often recommended. However, they can also irritate mucous membranes.
With all these home remedies, one only hopes for anti-inflammatory properties. This means that receding gums can no longer be built up. Individual consultation with the dentist is more advisable here.
You might also be interested in: Home remedies for gum inflammation
toothpaste
There are numerous toothpastes that are specifically designed to meet the needs of the gums. Toothpastes such as parodontax® contain a mixture of herbal extracts that are said to help keep the gums healthy. Here you can read up on conventional drugstores or pharmacies and accept individual recommendations from the dentist.
Basically, the most important thing is to get along with your toothpaste and brush your teeth three times a day. If the teeth are kept free of plaque, the gums will also remain healthy (apart from special disease-related gum diseases).
More information on this topic: toothpaste
homeopathy
If you are interested in homeopathy or have had good experience in this area, there is nothing to prevent you from using homeopathic remedies as a support for dental treatment.
In principle, however, it is strongly recommended to see a dentist if you have gum inflammation and receding gums. From a dental point of view, he can make a reliable diagnosis and assess the need for action. If the inflammation of the gums (periodontitis) has manifested, professional treatment must be carried out by the dentist and exposed tooth necks and root surfaces can only be covered again with a transplant.
Schüssler salts
The intake of Schüßler salts aims to regulate the mineral balance. Your inventor Wilhelm Heinrich Schuessler assumed that an imbalance of minerals in the body manifests itself as a disease. The supply of all the important nutrients naturally has an impact on the health of the gums. You should therefore pay attention to a balanced diet with sufficient vitamins, especially vitamin C.
However, there is no scientific evidence that the intake of Schuessler salts has a positive effect on the therapy of receding gums. As is the case with homeopathy, it cannot do any harm to use Schuessler salts if you have had good experiences with them. However, you should always consult your dentist.
costs
The cost of covering exposed tooth necks at the dentist varies depending on the practitioner. As with any treatment, the price is of course made up of the location costs of the practice and the qualification of the doctor. In addition, through the effort involved in e.g. the production of the dressing plate when the graft is removed from the palate. The patient can expect up to 600 €.
Private health insurances often take on a part, whereas patients with statutory health insurance have to pay the amount themselves. This can be found out individually from your own health insurance company.
Can you rebuild gums by brushing?
You cannot rebuild the gums by brushing. If the receding gums are due to excessive pressure when brushing the teeth and if the recession is only very small, the gums can return to their original position by adjusting the brushing technique. It is important that you massage the gums gently and use a toothbrush whose bristles are not too hard.
You also have to be careful with toothbrushes with bristles that are too soft. Here you naturally tend to push too hard. An alternative to conventional toothbrushes are ultrasonic toothbrushes, which are particularly gentle on the gums, as the mechanical cleaning movement is dispensed with.
Also read: The electric toothbrush
