Signs of Gum Recession
Recession can affect one tooth or many. Look for these changes, especially on the canines and lower front teeth, where it is most common.
- Teeth that look longer than they used to
- Sensitivity to cold, sweet or brushing near the gumline
- A visible step or notch where the enamel meets the root
- Darker, yellower root surface showing near the gum
- Gaps (dark triangles) appearing between teeth
- Food catching more easily near the gums
What Causes Gum Recession?
Recession almost always has a cause that can be identified, and finding it matters more than treating the recession itself. If the cause continues, the gum keeps receding, even after surgery.
- Gum disease (periodontitis): infection destroys the bone and fibres that hold the gum in place
- Brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled brush, often in a sawing motion
- Thin gum tissue, which some people are born with
- Teeth positioned outside the jawbone, sometimes after orthodontic movement
- Clenching or grinding, which overloads the teeth
- Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco or gutka
- Lip or tongue piercings rubbing against the gum
Why Recession Should Not Be Ignored
Exposed roots are softer than enamel, so they decay and wear faster. Sensitivity often gets worse. If the recession is caused by gum disease, the bone loss underneath can eventually loosen the tooth. And once gum is lost it does not regrow by itself: the goal of early treatment is to stop further loss.
How Gum Recession Is Diagnosed
A periodontist measures how far the gum has receded and how deep the pockets are around each tooth, checks the thickness of the gum, and looks at the bite and brushing habits. X-rays, or a CBCT scan where needed, show how much bone remains around the roots. This tells us whether the recession is stable or still active, and which treatment fits.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the cause and how advanced the recession is. Most patients need the first steps; only some need surgery.
- Correcting brushing technique and switching to a soft brush
- Treating gum disease with professional cleaning or deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)
- Desensitising treatment or a tooth-coloured filling over a sensitive or worn root
- A night guard if grinding is contributing
- Periodontal (gum) surgery, such as a gum graft, to cover exposed roots and thicken thin gum in suitable cases
Preventing Further Recession
Brush gently with a soft brush, angled towards the gum, using small circular movements rather than scrubbing. Clean between the teeth daily. Stop tobacco use. Have your gums checked at least every six months, so early changes are caught while they are still easy to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can receding gums grow back?
No. Gum tissue that has receded does not grow back on its own. Treatment stops further recession, and gum surgery can cover exposed roots in suitable cases.
Is gum recession always caused by gum disease?
No. Hard brushing, thin gums, grinding and tooth position can also cause it. A periodontist identifies the cause, because the treatment depends on it.
Is gum recession painful?
Usually not, which is why it is often noticed late. The most common symptom is sensitivity to cold or brushing at the gumline.
Will a different toothpaste fix receding gums?
A sensitivity toothpaste can ease the twinges, but it does not treat the recession or its cause.
Gum recession is common, but it is not a normal part of ageing that you have to accept. Finding and treating the cause early keeps your gums and the bone beneath them, and protects exposed roots from decay and sensitivity. Where recession has already gone too far, gum surgery can often restore coverage.