Mouthwash for a Receding Gumline - How Much Does It Help?

Resources Gum Health Mouthwash for a Receding Gumline - How Much Does It Help?

Clinical Content Reviewed by Dr. Jay Khorsandi, DDS

Last Modified:February 2, 2022

What Are The Top Brands
How Effective is Mouthwash
Other Treatment Options
References

Mouthwash doesn’t address the underlying causes of receding gums, but it does stop bacteria and plaque buildup responsible for gum disease. Gum recession, a condition in which the margin of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth begins to wear away, often stems from various forms of gum disease and poor oral hygiene.

In addition to gum diseases, the underlying causes of receding gums often include the following:

Poor Oral Hygiene

The most common cause of gum disease stems from poor oral hygiene. Not brushing and flossing regularly allows plaque to build up, then harden into deposits called tartar, which is infinitely harder to deal with at home. Your dentist monitors tartar buildup during your monthly visits.

Brushing Too Hard

Using hard bristles and brushing too hard will cause the enamel on your teeth to wear out, encouraging gum recession.

Grinding Your Teeth

Severe grinding and clenching of teeth can put enough pressure on the gums to make them recede.

Smoking

Smoking increases your likelihood of getting gum disease.

Periodontitis

Severe cases of periodontitis can cause the gum to pull away and develop pockets of space where infections thrive. Gum diseases like this cause the most severe forms of receding gums.

What Are The Top Brands?

Corsodyl

Corsodyl is a well-known manufacturer of toothpaste, floss, and mouthwashes. The Corsodyl mouthwash helps with bleeding gums as well as recession, and it prevents gum disease. It is the go-to brand for many people with gum recession.

Corsodyl contains an active ingredient called chlorhexidine digluconate, an antiseptic that kills bacteria that aren’t layered onto the teeth.

Listerine

Listerine is said to kill up to 97% of bacteria and has a renowned fresh, minty taste. This is a good option if you’re looking for a bit of variety since you’ll typically find several types of Listerine at your chemist’s.

This brand makes mouthwash specifically for gum diseases called ‘Listerine Advanced Defence Gum Treatment.’ Made specifically for gum problems, it removes plaque, maintains gum health, and gives you minty fresh breath.

The initial sign of gum recession is usually tooth sensitivity, or you may notice a tooth seems longer than normal.

How Effective is Mouthwash?

Corsodyl uses an antiseptic (chlorhexidine digluconate) to kill plaque and stop bacterial buildup, a measure that can stop the development of receding gums. Aside from aiding in the prevention and treatment of gum disease, the antiseptic fights oral thrush and mouth ulcers. It can also be used for partially erupted teeth (wisdom teeth especially).

Corsodyl might cause temporary brown stains around your gum line and a tingling sensation on your tongue and cheeks. It can also be deactivated by sodium lauryl sulfate, an ingredient found in some toothpaste. For maximum effectiveness, your dentist may recommend another toothpaste or advice you not to brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes after using Corsodyl.

Listerine no longer includes its customary essential oil formula in its mouthwash. Instead, the brand’s gum treatment mouthwash has an ingredient called Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HC, an antimicrobial that’s been used to stop plaque buildup in packaged foods for years.

Listerine stops plaque buildup, thereby preventing the tooth irritation that leads to gum recession. However, it also contains alcohol, and so it might cause an unpleasant burning sensation that lasts temporarily.

Listerine is said to be effective in as little as two weeks when used twice a day. However, neither it nor Corsodyl should be used in lieu of mechanical brushing since they mostly kill the bacteria floating around your mouth and not the ones embedded on the surface of your teeth.

The best recommendation is to seek professional advice from a dentist or oral hygienist first. Neither of these mouthwashes addresses the underlying cause of your receding gums and are only meant to serve as supplementary aids for gum recession, which must be established by a health professional first.

Other Treatment Options for Receding Gums

Scaling and Root Planing

Mild cases of gum recession can be treated by this two-part procedure, which involves clearing out hardened tartar below the gum line and planing (smoothening) the roots of your teeth to encourage gum reattachment. The procedure is non-surgical, but the dentist may offer a local anesthetic beforehand.

Following the procedure, you can expect some redness, swelling and soreness, and the dentist may recommend Corsodyl mouthwash as a short course antimicrobial afterward.

Surgical Scaling and Planing

More severe cases of gum recession may necessitate the surgical detachment of gum tissue to enable better access to the roots. The gum tissue is folded back during the procedure and then reattached firmly once it’s done.

Gum Regeneration

Regeneration is similar to scaling and planing procedures, but it involves the use of a membrane, graft-tissue or tissue-stimulating protein to encourage natural growth and restoration of damaged bone and tissue once the plaque and tartar buildup is cleared away.

Gum Grafts

Gum grafting is a viable measure for gums that have lost significant tissue. The dental surgeon may graft tissue from the roof of your mouth (or the surrounding gums) and use it to cover exposed roots.

References

Periodontal disease causatives and prevention: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. NCDCR. Date fetched: August 30, 2021.

Medicinal plants for gingivitis: a review of clinical trials. Iran Journal of Basic Medical Science. Date fetched: August 30, 2021.

Can Receding Gums Grow Back? GlaxoSmithKline. Date fetched: August 30, 2021.

Best Mouthwash for Receding Gums. Smilestories. Date fetched: August 30, 2021.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to serve as dental or other professional health advice and is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition or symptom. You should consult a dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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