Receding Gums: Causes, Prevention & When to See a Dentist

If your teeth look longer than they used to, or the gum edge seems to have moved, you may be noticing receding gums. The tissue that normally hugs the tooth has pulled back, so more of the tooth — and sometimes the root — is visible. Recession often develops gradually, and it may not hurt at first.

Why are my gums receding? There is no single answer. Gum recession can follow periodontal (gum) disease, brushing too hard, tobacco use, tooth position, injury, or naturally thin gum tissue. The cause differs between patients, so an exam is how you sort it out. This is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan.

What Are Receding Gums?

Healthy gums sit against each tooth and help protect the root and bone. When the edge moves, more of the tooth shows and the root may be uncovered. Roots are covered by cementum, not enamel. Cementum is not as strong, so cold, sweets, and touch can bother an exposed root. That is why sensitive teeth and receding gums often appear together.

Recession is sometimes tied to gum disease. Plaque can inflame the gums. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) says that if this early inflammation is left untreated, it can reach the bone that supports the teeth, and the gum can pull away so teeth look longer. Brushing habits, thin tissue, and tooth position can change the gumline even when gum disease is not the main factor. What you see is a clue, not a diagnosis.

What Causes Receding Gums?

Causes are not the same for every patient. Only an exam can sort out which of these apply:

Gum disease. Plaque inflames the gums. If it hardens into tartar, brushing will not remove it. NIDCR states that only a professional cleaning removes tartar. Untreated inflammation can damage the gum and bone. Bleeding gums are a common early sign of that inflammation.
Aggressive brushing and incorrect technique. The Canadian Dental Association states that brushing too hard over time can cause gums to recede.
Tobacco use. NIDCR calls tobacco the most significant risk factor for gum disease, and notes that it can delay healing. Cleveland Clinic also lists smoking and chewing tobacco among recession risks.
Tooth position. A tooth that sits toward the cheek or lip can have thinner gum and bone over the root. Crowded teeth are harder to clean, which lets plaque collect. Crowding itself does not thin the gum.
Oral piercings. Cleveland Clinic lists lip and tongue piercings as a risk.
Naturally thin gum tissue. Cleveland Clinic notes that a family tendency toward thin gums is one reason recession is not always caused by poor cleaning. A 2003 review in the Journal of the American Dental Association also found recession in people with good oral hygiene and in people with poor oral hygiene.
Trauma, such as a blow to the gum or an appliance that rubs.
Age. Recession can start at any age and is more common later in life. That JADA review of surveys reported recession at one or more sites in 88% of people aged 65 and older and in 50% of people aged 18 to 64. Those figures come from studies reviewed in 2003, not from a current Canadian survey. They count a site of recession. They do not mean that most people need surgery.

Teeth grinding and clenching are often suggested as a cause. The Canadian Dental Association says prolonged grinding or clenching can crack teeth, strain the jaw, and raise the risk of gum problems. On recession specifically, a 2018 review in the Journal of Periodontology found that the evidence does not show biting forces by themselves cause gums to recede. Mention worn edges or jaw soreness at an exam. A custom mouth guard can protect the teeth from damage. It does not rebuild gum, and it has not been shown to stop recession.

Early Signs of Gum Recession

The clearest signs of gum recession are things you can see, and they are not always painful. You might notice:

Teeth that look longer than in older photos
A visible root
Sensitivity to cold, sweetness, or brushing
A gumline that looks uneven or has changed shape

A tooth can also look longer because the biting edge has worn down, without the gum having moved. An exam tells those apart.

NIDCR lists bleeding, redness, swelling, tenderness, and persistent bad breath as signs of gum disease. Those can occur along with recession when inflammation is part of the problem. They are not, by themselves, proof that the gum has receded. A groove near the gumline is a change in the tooth surface. It can sit beside recession, but the groove is not the gum pulling away.

Checking your gumline in good light can help you notice a change. A dental exam confirms whether the tissue has receded.

Can You Have Receding Gums Without Pain?

Yes. You can have receding gums without pain. Cleveland Clinic notes that recession can be present even when there is no pain or sensitivity. Early gum inflammation more often shows up as bleeding or swelling. NIDCR notes that once inflammation reaches the bone, chewing can become painful.

Can Receding Gums Grow Back?

Lost gum tissue generally does not grow back on its own. A softer brush or a special toothpaste will not rebuild it.

Care can still treat the cause, protect an exposed root, and ease sensitivity. Covering a root that is already exposed is done with a procedure such as a gum graft. That is surgery, not natural regrowth, and it is not guaranteed. NIDCR says early plaque-related gum disease can often be reversed without surgery. Cleveland Clinic says mild recession may be managed without surgery, while moderate or severe recession is likely to be referred for a gum-graft consultation. A graft is not the right choice for every tooth.

How to Prevent Receding Gums

Gentle daily care and regular dental visits are the most useful way to help prevent receding gums. They lower risk. They do not guarantee recession will never occur, especially with thin gums or a tooth in a vulnerable spot.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, or an electric brush with a soft head. The Canadian Dental Association recommends replacing it when the bristles splay, or about every three months.
Brush gently. The Canadian Dental Association says to avoid scrubbing. If the bristles bend flat while you are brushing, ease up.
Angle the brush about 45 degrees where the tooth and gum meet, and use small circles. Brush twice a day for about two to three minutes with fluoride toothpaste. That matches Canadian Dental Association advice, and NIDCR also recommends a fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
Clean between teeth every day. Floss reaches surfaces a brush misses. The Canadian Dental Association describes a gentle C-shape against the tooth, just below the gumline, and mentions dental tape or a floss holder if string floss is difficult. NIDCR also lists an interdental brush, a pick, or a water flosser when a dental professional recommends one.
Keep professional cleanings. Dental cleanings remove tartar that brushing cannot. For many people, the Canadian Dental Association says this means an exam about every six months. Your dentist may suggest more or fewer visits, based on your gums, tartar, and other problems that need checking. Benefit plans differ, and they do not all renew on the same date. What a plan pays does not set how often you should be seen.
Treat gum disease early. NIDCR says early gum disease from plaque can often be reversed with daily brushing and flossing. Periodontitis needs care from a dentist or hygienist. Frequent bleeding is a reason to book.
Avoid tobacco. Quitting does not restore gum that has already receded. NIDCR notes that tobacco makes gum treatment less successful, so stopping improves the chance that treatment will work.
Mention grinding or clenching if your jaw is sore or your teeth look worn. The Canadian Dental Association says a custom mouth guard can protect the teeth from damage. It does not rebuild gum, and it has not been shown to stop recession. Jaw soreness can also be raised at a TMJ visit.
Attend regular exams. Dental examinations compare the gumline over time. Point out a longer-looking tooth, new sensitivity, or a notch you can feel.

When Should You Book a Dental Appointment?

Book if your gums are pulling away, your teeth look longer, sensitivity is new or worse, or you notice bleeding or another change along the gumline. You do not need to be in pain, and you do not need to name the cause. An exam shows whether recession is present and what may be contributing.

Consider booking if you notice:

Gums pulling away, or teeth that appear longer
New or worsening sensitivity
Frequent bleeding when you brush, floss, or eat
Swollen, red, or tender gums
Persistent bad breath, or a visible tooth root
A gumline that has changed shape
A loose tooth, or pain around a tooth or the gums

Routine appointment

A routine visit fits gradual change: a slightly longer tooth, mild sensitivity, a small notch, or recent bleeding. Early measurement makes brushing changes, a cleaning, or care for inflammation easier while the tooth is still well supported.

Request an appointment and describe what you see, such as “my lower front teeth look longer” or “one tooth zings with cold.”

Prompt dental assessment

Book sooner than a standard recall if bleeding is heavy, the gums are swollen, pain is present, symptoms are worsening, a tooth feels loose, or infection may be involved. A bad taste that will not clear, a pimple-like swelling on the gum, or swelling that is spreading should not wait.

Soreness after one hard brushing session is a different matter from swelling or a loose tooth. If you are unsure, book and describe what you notice. Kensington Dental Care can check the gumline during a general visit.

What Happens During a Gum Recession Assessment?

An assessment looks at your teeth, gums, and possible causes. It is not a decision that you will have surgery. You can expect some or all of the following:

A look at gum colour, the gumline, and any visible root
Periodontal pocket measurements with a thin probe, including bleeding
A record of recession, so later visits can tell whether a site is stable
A check for inflammation, plaque, and tartar, including buildup under the gum
A look at your bite and tooth position
X-rays when they will help show bone levels. NIDCR says an x-ray can show bone loss from gum disease. The Canadian Dental Association says a healthy adult often does not need x-rays at every visit
A plain-language talk about home care, options, and any referral

You choose whether to go ahead with any suggested care.

How Is Gum Recession Treated?

How gum recession is treated depends on the cause and how far the tissue has moved. Early plaque-related gum disease can often be controlled without surgery. Putting gum back over a root that is already exposed usually cannot. Options a dentist may discuss include:

Coaching on brushing and cleaning between teeth
A professional cleaning, or scaling and root planing when inflammation extends under the gum. NIDCR describes scaling and root planing as a deep cleaning for periodontal disease
Care for gum disease, sometimes with a periodontist
Fluoride varnish or a desensitizing toothpaste for root sensitivity. Cleveland Clinic says these can reduce discomfort. They do not grow gum
A custom mouth guard if grinding is wearing the teeth. The Canadian Dental Association says it can protect the teeth from damage. It is not a gum graft, and it has not been shown to reverse recession
An orthodontic opinion when a tooth’s position leaves thin gum over the root. Cleveland Clinic says that, in some of those cases, moving the tooth may let the gum margin improve. A 2016 review found no evidence that orthodontic treatment by itself causes recession. It can leave the bone over the root very thin, and recession is then more likely if hard brushing or inflammation is also present
A gum graft in selected cases. Cleveland Clinic describes the graft as usually taken from the roof of the mouth, and sometimes from donor tissue, to cover an exposed root. A periodontist typically does this. Results vary, and not every tooth is a candidate

Tooth-coloured bonding can cover a sensitive root. Cleveland Clinic describes this as a coating on the tooth, not new gum. The 2016 review also notes that once inflammation settles, swollen gum can shrink and a root may look more exposed. That is the swelling going down, not a new injury from the cleaning. Your measurements decide the plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes receding gums?

Several factors can cause receding gums, and they differ by patient. Gum disease, brushing too hard, plaque and tartar, tobacco, tooth position, piercings, thin tissue, and injury can all play a part. Recession is also more common with age. Grinding has not been shown to cause it by itself. An exam shows which factors apply to you.

Can receding gums grow back naturally?

No. Receding gums do not grow back naturally. Care can limit further loss, ease sensitivity, and treat gum disease. Covering a root, when appropriate, is done with a procedure such as a graft.

Can brushing too hard cause gum recession?

Yes. Brushing too hard can cause gum recession. A soft brush and gentle circles at the gumline are what the Canadian Dental Association recommends, because heavy pressure can wear the gums back over time.

How do you stop gums from receding?

Help stop further recession by treating the cause and protecting the gumline. Gentle brushing, cleaning between teeth, avoiding tobacco, and regular cleanings are the usual start. Your dentist will say if more care is needed. Brushing does not regrow lost tissue.

Are receding gums a sign of gum disease?

They can be a sign of gum disease, and they are not always. Periodontal disease is one cause. Recession can also follow brushing, thin tissue, piercings, or tooth position when active gum disease is absent.

Is gum recession serious?

Untreated causes can become serious, while mild, stable recession is often manageable. Exposed roots can be sensitive and more vulnerable to decay. Advanced periodontal disease can damage bone and loosen teeth.

Can gum recession be reversed?

The tissue does not grow back on its own. A graft can cover roots in selected cases. Healing varies, so that is not a guaranteed reversal. A stable, comfortable gumline is a good result for many people.

Does gum recession cause sensitive teeth?

Yes, it often does. Root surfaces lack enamel, so cold, sweets, or touch can cause a brief sharp pain. Decay and worn enamel can too, so a dentist should confirm the source.

When should I see a dentist for receding gums?

See a dentist when the gumline changes, teeth look longer, or you notice sensitivity, bleeding, or a visible root. Book sooner for heavy bleeding, swelling, pain, a loose tooth, or symptoms that are worsening.

Can gum recession be treated without surgery?

Early gum disease and mild recession often are. NIDCR says early plaque-related disease can often be reversed with cleaning at home and professional care when tartar is present. Fluoride or a desensitizing toothpaste can ease root sensitivity. A graft is considered when the goal is to cover an exposed root, which is more likely once recession is moderate or severe. A custom mouth guard protects teeth from grinding. It does not regrow gum.

Not Sure Whether Your Gums Are Receding?

A dental examination can show whether gum recession is present and what may be causing it. If your gumline has changed, or you have persistent sensitivity, bleeding, or another sign above, request an appointment with Kensington Dental Care and tell us what you are seeing.