Receding gums are usually noticed gradually: teeth that look longer than they used to, a sensitive notch near the gum line, or a dark line appearing at the edge of an old crown. Why are my gums receding is a question with several possible answers, and identifying which applies to you matters, because the treatment differs entirely.
One thing to know up front: gum tissue that has receded does not grow back on its own. Stopping the process is the priority.
On this page
- What recession actually is
- Cause one: gum disease
- Cause two: over-vigorous brushing
- The other causes
- Why it matters
- How recession is stopped
- Can gums grow back?
- In summary
What recession actually is
Gum recession means the gum margin has moved away from the crown of the tooth, exposing part of the root surface that should be covered.
Root surface is not enamel. It is covered by a thinner, softer material called cementum, which is considerably more vulnerable to decay, wear and sensitivity. That is why recession matters beyond appearance.
Cause one: gum disease
The most significant cause, and the one that requires the most urgent attention.
In periodontitis, inflammation destroys the bone supporting the teeth. As bone is lost, the gum overlying it recedes along with it. So recession from gum disease is a visible symptom of an invisible problem: bone loss underneath.
Signs that gum disease is the driver include recession accompanied by bleeding, persistent bad breath, gaps opening between teeth, and any looseness. Our posts on why gums bleed and whether gum disease is reversible cover the condition, and our page on gum disease treatment explains treatment.
This is the cause to rule out first, because unlike the others it is actively destroying the foundations of your teeth.
Cause two: over-vigorous brushing
The second major cause, and a frustrating one, because it happens to conscientious people trying hard.
Brushing too hard, particularly with a hard-bristled brush and a horizontal scrubbing motion, physically wears away both gum tissue and the tooth surface at the gum line. The classic sign is a distinct notch or groove where tooth meets gum, often on the outer surfaces of canines and premolars, and often worse on the side opposite your writing hand.
The correction is straightforward: a soft brush, gentle pressure, and small circular movements angled towards the gum line rather than scrubbing across it. Our post on how to brush your teeth properly covers the technique, and if your bristles splay within a month you are pressing far too hard.
The other causes
- Grinding and clenching, which stresses teeth in ways that can contribute to recession and to notching at the gum line.
- Thin gum tissue, which is largely genetic. Some people simply have a thinner, more delicate gum type that recedes more readily.
- Tooth position. Teeth sitting prominently or outside the arch have less bone covering them and are more prone to recession.
- Age, which contributes gradually, though significant recession should never be dismissed as simply getting older.
- Smoking, which worsens gum disease and reduces the gums’ ability to recover.
- Orthodontic treatment, occasionally, where teeth have been moved beyond the bone available.
- Lip or tongue piercings, which cause localised recession from constant rubbing, often quite severe and in one specific spot.
Why it matters
Sensitivity. Exposed root surface is far more sensitive to cold and sweet things.
Root decay. Root surface decays more readily than enamel, and root decay is harder to treat.
Appearance. Teeth look longer, and dark margins can appear at the edge of crowns and veneers.
It signals what is underneath. Where gum disease is the cause, recession indicates ongoing bone loss, which threatens the teeth themselves.
How recession is stopped
The approach depends entirely on the cause, which is why diagnosis comes first.
- If gum disease is the cause: professional cleaning, including below the gum line, plus improved home cleaning. This halts the process, and our page on dental hygiene explains what treatment involves.
- If brushing is the cause: switch to a soft brush and correct the technique. Recession usually stops promptly once the trauma does.
- If grinding is a factor: a night guard protects against the forces involved.
- For sensitivity: desensitising toothpaste, fluoride application, and occasionally bonding to cover exposed areas.
- For notched areas: tooth-coloured filling material can restore the shape and reduce sensitivity.
- In selected cases, gum grafting can cover exposed roots, which is specialist work and usually reserved for significant recession where there is a clear benefit.
Can gums grow back?
Not on their own, and any product claiming to regrow gum tissue should be treated with considerable scepticism.
What can be achieved is stopping the recession from progressing, which is genuinely the important part, alongside treating the consequences: sensitivity managed, notches restored, root surfaces protected, and appearance improved where it matters.
Where recession is significant and affecting appearance or function, surgical grafting is an option worth discussing, though it is not appropriate or necessary in most cases.
The NHS page on gum disease covers the underlying condition, and our post on whether vaping is better than smoking may be relevant if smoking is part of the picture.
In summary
Gums recede mainly through gum disease or over-vigorous brushing, with grinding, thin tissue, tooth position and smoking all contributing. It matters because exposed roots are sensitive and decay-prone, and because gum disease recession signals bone loss underneath. Receded gum does not regrow, so the priority is identifying the cause and stopping the process.
If your teeth are looking longer or a particular spot has become sensitive, ring us on 01255 422506 for an assessment. Our post on the causes of persistent bad breath covers a commonly related symptom.
This article is general information rather than personal dental advice. Every mouth is different, so please speak to your dentist about your own teeth.