Receding Gums: Causes, Treatment, and How to Stop Them

Receding gums are one of those changes that happens so slowly you may not notice it until a tooth starts to look long or feels sharply sensitive to cold water. By the time you see it in the mirror, you have usually been losing tissue for years.

The good news is that gum recession is almost always preventable, and even when it is already present, you can stop it from getting worse. Here is what causes recession, how dentists treat it, and what you can do at home to protect the gum tissue you still have.

What Is Gum Recession?

Gum recession is the gradual loss of the soft tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth. As the gum line moves down (or up, on lower teeth), more of the tooth root becomes exposed. Unlike the crown of your tooth, the root is not protected by hard enamel, which is why recession often causes sensitivity and a higher risk of root cavities.

Recession is common. The American Dental Association estimates that about 88 percent of people over the age of 65 have at least one site with recession, and roughly half of adults between 18 and 64 have some too. It is not something only older adults experience, and aggressive brushing is one reason younger patients see it.

Signs Your Gums Are Receding

Recession often starts on one or two teeth and spreads. Watch for:

• Teeth that look longer than they used to. Compare recent photos to older ones if you are not sure.
• A visible notch at the gum line. Where the enamel meets the root, there can be a small step you can feel with your fingernail.
• Sensitivity to cold, sweet, or sour foods. The exposed root has tiny tubules that connect directly to the nerve.
• A darker color near the gum line. Root surfaces are yellower than the enamel above.
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing. This usually signals inflammation, which often goes hand in hand with recession.
• Loose teeth or shifting bite. A later sign that the supporting bone has also been affected.

What Causes Receding Gums?

Recession almost never has a single cause. It is usually a combination of how you brush, what is happening below the gum line, and factors you cannot control like genetics.

Brushing Too Hard

This is the most common cause in patients without active gum disease. A medium or hard-bristled toothbrush combined with heavy pressure scrapes the gum tissue away over years. People who grip the brush like a hammer, scrub side to side, or brush more than three times a day are especially at risk. The damage is usually worst on the canines and premolars, where the brush hits hardest.

Periodontal Disease

Bacteria that build up below the gum line trigger inflammation. Over time, that inflammation destroys the fibers and bone that anchor your gums to your teeth. As the supporting structures break down, the gums recede with them. Recession from gum disease often shows up alongside bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, and pockets that a dentist can measure during an exam. If you suspect this is the case, our guide to periodontal disease stages and treatment breaks down what to expect.

Teeth Grinding and Clenching

The constant pressure from grinding or clenching forces teeth to flex slightly at the gum line, which can fracture the enamel and pull the gum tissue back. Patients who grind often show recession on the outside surfaces of multiple teeth, sometimes with small wedge-shaped notches at the base. Treating the grinding habit, usually with a custom night guard, is essential to stop the recession. Our article on how to stop grinding your teeth at night covers the warning signs and solutions.

Genetics and Thin Tissue

About 30 percent of people have a genetic predisposition to gum disease, and many more have naturally thin gum tissue (called a thin biotype). Thin tissue is more vulnerable to recession from any cause, including normal brushing. If a parent or sibling has had gum recession or grafts, your risk is higher and earlier prevention matters more.

Orthodontic Movement

Moving teeth through thin gum or bone, especially in adults, can push the root closer to the surface and cause the overlying gum to recede. This is one reason a periodontal evaluation before starting Invisalign or traditional braces is so useful: it identifies areas where the tissue is thin and lets the treatment plan account for them.

Other Contributing Factors

• Smoking and vaping. Tobacco and nicotine reduce blood flow to the gums, making them more vulnerable and slower to heal.
• Lip and tongue piercings. The metal jewelry rubs against the gum line, especially on the lower front teeth.
• Misaligned teeth. Teeth that sit outside the normal arch get less bone and gum support to begin with.
• Hormonal changes. Pregnancy, puberty, and menopause can make gum tissue more sensitive and reactive.
• Poorly fitting partial dentures. Pressure on the gums from a clasp or flange wears the tissue away over time.

Can Gums Grow Back?

No. Unlike skin or bone, gum tissue does not regenerate naturally once it has receded. The gum line will not return to its original position on its own, no matter how many oil pulls, herbal rinses, or supplements you try. Anyone promising that gums can be regrown without surgery is selling something.

That does not mean nothing can be done. Recession can be:

• Stopped. Identifying and removing the cause (a stiff brush, untreated gum disease, grinding) halts further progression.
• Hidden. Bonding can cover an exposed root surface and make the gum line look more even, even though the gum itself has not grown back.
• Surgically rebuilt. Gum grafts and the pinhole surgical technique physically restore tissue to the receded areas.

Treatment Options for Receding Gums

Treatment depends on how much recession is present and what is causing it. A dentist or periodontist will usually start with the least invasive option and step up only if needed.

1. Adjusting Your Brushing

For mild recession caused by brushing too hard, switching to a soft-bristled or electric brush with a pressure sensor is the single most effective intervention. The goal is to clean the teeth and gum line without scrubbing away tissue. Hold the brush like a pencil, not a fist, and let the bristles do the work.

2. Desensitizing Treatments

Exposed roots are sensitive because the dentin underneath is full of microscopic tubules that lead directly to the nerve. Desensitizing toothpaste with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride blocks those tubules over a few weeks. In-office fluoride varnish or bonded desensitizers give faster, longer-lasting relief.

3. Scaling and Root Planing

When recession is driven by gum disease, the bacteria below the gum line have to come out before anything else can heal. A deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, removes hardened plaque and bacteria from the root surfaces and lets the gum tissue reattach where it can. Our guide to what deep cleaning actually feels like explains the process step by step.

4. Composite Bonding

For small to moderate recession, tooth-colored composite resin can be bonded to the exposed root to cover the sensitive surface and improve appearance. It does not replace gum tissue, but it protects the root from further wear and decay. Bonding is fast, painless, and reversible if you ever want to switch to a surgical option later.

5. Gum Grafts

A gum graft is the traditional surgical fix for moderate to severe recession. A periodontist takes a small piece of tissue, usually from the roof of the mouth or from a tissue bank, and stitches it over the receded area. After about three months, the graft heals into a permanent thickened band of gum tissue that protects the root and looks natural. Healing is uncomfortable for the first week but the long-term results are predictable and lasting.

6. Pinhole Surgical Technique

The pinhole technique is a newer, minimally invasive alternative to grafting. The dentist makes a tiny entry point in the gum, uses small instruments to loosen the tissue, and slides it down to cover the exposed root. There are no stitches, no donor tissue from the palate, and multiple teeth can be treated in a single visit. It works best for mild to moderate recession with adequate remaining tissue.

How to Prevent Recession (Or Stop It Getting Worse)

• Use a soft-bristled brush. Medium and hard brushes have no business in a healthy mouth. An electric brush with a pressure sensor takes the guesswork out of it.
• Brush gently. Two minutes, light pressure, small circular or angled strokes. If your bristles splay out after a few weeks, you are pressing too hard.
• Floss daily. Recession from gum disease starts between the teeth, where your brush cannot reach.
• Treat grinding. A custom night guard is far more effective than over-the-counter mouthguards and prevents the recession that comes with bruxism.
• Get cleanings every six months. Professional cleanings remove the tartar that drives gum disease before it can erode supporting tissue.
• Stop smoking and vaping. Tobacco use accelerates recession and slows healing after any treatment.
• Address misalignment. Crooked teeth are harder to clean and often sit in thin areas of gum and bone. Straightening them with Invisalign or braces can take pressure off vulnerable tissue.

When to See a Dentist

Book an appointment if you notice persistent sensitivity to cold, teeth that look longer than they used to, bleeding when brushing, or a visible step at the gum line. Recession that has already started will not stop without addressing the cause, and the longer you wait, the more options come off the table.

At MySmile Dental Care in Anaheim Hills, Dr. Bhatia will measure your gum levels at every tooth, look for the underlying cause, and recommend the least invasive treatment that will actually work for your situation. If you already have signs of gum disease, we also offer Perio Restore and Arestin as part of a comprehensive periodontal treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions