Receding gums: causes, signs and treatment

Receding gums (gum recession) means the gum line has moved towards the root, so part of the root is exposed. It often develops slowly and painlessly, which is why many people only notice it when a tooth becomes sensitive or starts to look longer. This guide explains what gum recession is, the common causes, the signs to look out for and the treatments a dentist may suggest, so that you know when to have your gums checked in Chandigarh or wherever you live.

What are receding gums?

Healthy gum fits snugly around the neck of each tooth and covers the root. In gum recession, the edge of the gum shifts towards the root, leaving the root surface exposed. The root has no enamel; a thin layer called cementum covers it and wears away easily, exposing the dentine underneath. Exposed dentine is softer than enamel, often sensitive, and more prone to decay and wear.

Gum recession is common in adults and tends to increase with age. A review for the 2017 World Workshop on periodontal classification noted that it occurs in people with both high and low standards of oral hygiene. It may affect one tooth or many.

Receding gums and gum pockets are not the same

Recession is sometimes confused with gum pockets. In gum disease (periodontitis), the attachment between the gum and the tooth breaks down below the gum line, forming a deeper space called a pocket, where bacteria collect and bone is lost. The gum edge may stay where it was. In recession, the gum edge itself moves towards the root and the root shows. The two can happen together, and your dentist measures both during a gum check.

Illustration: in recession the gum edge moves down and the root is exposed; in gum disease a pocket forms under the gum and bone is lost. Simplified. Not a patient photograph.

Common causes of receding gums

Gum recession usually has more than one cause. Common factors include:

Gum disease. Plaque bacteria that are not removed cause inflammation. In periodontitis, the gum and bone that support the tooth are lost, and the gum line can drop. Gum disease is one of the most common causes of recession. Read our guide to gum disease: causes, early signs and treatment.
Brushing too hard or with a hard brush. Scrubbing sideways with force can wear the gum and the root surface. A systematic review found mixed evidence linking brushing to recession; brushing force, bristle hardness and technique were among the factors studied. A soft brush and a gentle technique are still sensible. See our effective brushing techniques.
Thin gum tissue. Some people are born with thin gum and thin bone over the roots, so the gum is more likely to recede.
Tooth position and orthodontic movement. A tooth that sits outside the arch, or is moved outwards during orthodontic treatment, may have very thin bone and gum over its root.
Smoking and chewing tobacco. Smoking harms the gums, slows healing and raises the risk of gum disease. Chewing tobacco can cause recession where it is held against the gum.
Plaque and tartar at the gum line. Plaque and tartar, or filling and crown edges that sit at or below the gum line and are hard to clean, can inflame the gum.
Injury and piercings. Lip or tongue piercings can rub the gum and cause recession in that area; a direct injury to the gum can do the same.

Teeth grinding and clenching are often blamed. The evidence that grinding causes recession directly is limited, but it can wear teeth and leave notches near the gum line, so your dentist will check for it. Learn more on our bruxism page.

Signs and symptoms of receding gums

Look out for:

Sensitivity to cold, hot or sweet food and drink, or when brushing, from an exposed root
Teeth that look longer than before, or a visible yellowish root near the gum line
Notches or grooves you can feel near the gum line
Gaps between the teeth near the gums that trap food
Bleeding, swollen or tender gums, which point to gum inflammation or gum disease rather than recession alone
Loose teeth in advanced cases, where bone support has been lost

Bad breath that does not go away, bleeding when you brush and loose teeth are signs of gum disease and should be checked promptly. Read why gums bleed when flossing.

How receding gums are diagnosed

Your dentist looks at the gum line on each tooth and measures any recession and pocket depth with a thin probe. X-rays may be taken to check the bone. The dentist will also look for the cause: brushing habits, gum disease, tooth position, grinding, tobacco use or a rough filling edge.

Treatment for receding gums

Gum that has receded does not grow back on its own. Treatment aims to stop the recession getting worse, manage sensitivity and, where suitable, cover the exposed root. Depending on the cause and how severe it is, your dentist may suggest:

Treating gum disease first, with professional cleaning and, where needed, deep cleaning under the gum (see our deep cleaning page and deep cleaning vs regular cleaning)
Changing how you brush: a soft brush, gentle pressure and the right technique
Managing sensitivity with a desensitising toothpaste or treatment applied by the dentist (see our sensitive teeth page)
Tooth-coloured bonding to cover a notch or exposed root
Gum graft surgery, in which gum tissue from the palate or another source is placed over the exposed root. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, a graft can cover the exposed root, may reduce sensitivity and helps limit further recession; how much of the root is covered depends on the case
Orthodontic treatment, when a tooth's position is part of the problem
Protecting against grinding, for example with a night guard, when grinding is present

Read more about treatment options on our receding gums page.

You can edit text on your website by double clicking on a text box on your website. Alternatively, when you select a text box a settings menu will appear. your website by double clicking on a text box on your website. Alternatively, when you select a text boxIllustration: a gum graft places new gum tissue over an exposed root. Not every receded area needs or suits a graft; the dentist explains the options. Simplified. Not a patient photograph.

How to prevent gum recession

Brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, using gentle pressure. An electric brush with a pressure sensor can help; see electric vs manual toothbrush
Clean between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes
Stop smoking and chewing tobacco
Ask about a night guard if you grind your teeth
Have regular check-ups and professional cleaning so that gum disease and early recession are picked up

Receding gums treatment at ADC, Chandigarh

At ADC – Centre for Restorative and Implant Dentistry, a gum check is part of the examination. The dentist measures the gum line and pockets, explains what is causing the recession and gives you a written treatment plan and estimate. Instalment and financing options are available; ask our team for details. Learn more on our receding gums and gum disease pages. The clinic is in Sector 21, Chandigarh, within easy reach of Mohali, Panchkula and Zirakpur.

Frequently asked questions

Can receding gums grow back?
No. Gum that has receded does not grow back by itself. Treatment can stop it getting worse, and a gum graft can cover the exposed root in suitable cases.

Are receding gums serious?
Mild recession on one or two teeth may only need monitoring and gentler brushing. Recession caused by gum disease, or recession that keeps progressing, needs treatment, because the supporting bone can also be affected.

Why are my teeth sensitive near the gum line?
Exposed root surfaces are more sensitive than enamel. A desensitising toothpaste may help, but have the cause checked, as sensitivity can also come from decay or a cracked tooth.

Does brushing too hard cause receding gums?
It can contribute, especially with a hard brush and a scrubbing technique, but the evidence is mixed and recession usually has more than one cause. Use a soft brush and gentle pressure.

Is gum graft surgery painful?
It is done under local anaesthetic. The grafted area is usually tender for a few days, and so is the palate if tissue is taken from there. The dentist gives written aftercare instructions.

Book a gum check in Chandigarh

If your teeth look longer, feel sensitive or your gums bleed, book a consultation at ADC – Centre for Restorative and Implant Dentistry:

Online booking: ADC Zoho Bookings
Phone: +91-708-780-0016
Email: help@theadc.dental
Clinic: ADC- Centre for Restorative and Implant Dentistry, 1197, Sector 21B, Chandigarh 160022

Mon–Fri 10:00 AM–6:30 PM; Sat 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sunday closed. You can also request a consultation online.

Reviewed by Dr. Mohit Dhawan, MDS (Prosthodontics, Crown & Bridge and Implantology).

References

Cleveland Clinic. Gum recession — clevelandclinic.org
American Academy of Periodontology. Surgical procedures: gum graft surgery — perio.org
Cortellini P, Bissada NF. Mucogingival conditions in the natural dentition: narrative review, case definitions, and diagnostic considerations. J Periodontol. 2018 — PubMed 29926948
Rajapakse PS, McCracken GI, Gwynnett E, et al. Does tooth brushing influence the development and progression of non-inflammatory gingival recession? A systematic review. J Clin Periodontol. 2007 — PubMed 17953693