Gum recession: causes and what helps

Reviewed by Dr. Samar Fadavi, DDS

Short answer: Gum recession happens when the gum tissue around a tooth wears or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth and eventually its root. Common causes are gum disease, brushing too hard, grinding, thin gums, crooked teeth and tobacco. Lost gum does not grow back by itself, but recession can be slowed or stopped, and sensitive or exposed roots can be treated.

What gum recession is

Healthy gums fit snugly around each tooth and cover the root, which is the part of the tooth below the enamel. When gums recede, the edge of the gum line moves toward the root. Teeth may start to look longer, small dark triangles can appear between teeth, and the yellowish root surface becomes visible. Because roots are not covered by enamel, they are more sensitive to cold, sweet and touch, and they decay more easily.

Recession is very common, especially after age 40, and it usually develops slowly over years. Many people do not notice it until a tooth becomes sensitive or a family member points out that a tooth looks longer than its neighbours. This guide explains why it happens, how it is assessed, and the options for protecting your teeth. It is general information for patients in Scarborough, the Danforth and East Toronto.

Signs and symptoms

• Teeth that look longer than before, or longer than the teeth beside them.
• A visible notch or ledge near the gum line, where the enamel meets the root.
• Sensitivity to cold drinks, ice cream, sweets or brushing.
• Gaps or dark triangles between teeth at the gum line.
• Gums that bleed, look red or swollen, or feel tender.
• Teeth that feel loose or have started to move.
• Food catching between teeth more often than it used to.

Recession can affect one tooth or many. Canine teeth and premolars are frequent spots, because they sit at the curve of the jaw and often have thinner bone and gum over the root.

Common causes

Gum disease

Periodontal disease is one of the leading causes. Plaque and tartar along and below the gum line trigger inflammation that, over time, destroys the bone and fibres holding the tooth. As the bone is lost, the gum follows it down. This kind of recession often causes no pain in its early stages, so regular check-ups matter. Our guide to bleeding gums explains the early warning signs.

Brushing too hard

Scrubbing side to side with a hard-bristled brush can wear the gum away, especially on the outer surfaces of teeth on the side opposite your brushing hand. It can also wear grooves into the exposed root.

Grinding and clenching

Heavy forces from grinding or clenching, often at night, may contribute to recession and to notches at the gum line. Many people do not know they grind until a dentist sees the wear.

Thin gums and tooth position

Some people are born with thin, delicate gum tissue. Teeth that sit outside the normal arch, because of crowding or past orthodontic movement, may have very little bone over the root, making recession more likely.

Tobacco and vaping

Smoking and chewing tobacco reduce blood flow to the gums, increase plaque and tartar, and hide the bleeding that would otherwise warn you of gum disease.

Other factors

• Lip or tongue piercings rubbing against the gum.
• A tight muscle attachment (frenum) pulling on the gum edge.
• Hormonal changes, diabetes and some medications that affect gum health.
• Ageing, which adds up years of wear, though recession is not an unavoidable part of getting older.
• Family history of gum problems.

Why it matters

Mild recession that is stable may cause no trouble for years. When it progresses, it can lead to sensitivity that makes eating and brushing uncomfortable, decay on exposed roots, notches that wear deeper, and, when bone loss is involved, loose teeth and eventual tooth loss. Some people also dislike the look of longer teeth or dark gaps when they smile. Finding the cause early gives you a much better chance of keeping your teeth and gums stable.

How recession is assessed

At a check-up, the dentist or hygienist measures recession with a small ruler-like probe, recording how much root is exposed and how deep the space between gum and tooth is at several points around each tooth. These measurements, along with X-rays of the bone level, show whether recession is linked to gum disease and whether it is stable or getting worse. Photos can help compare changes from one visit to the next. The dentist will also look at your bite, check for grinding wear, and ask about your brushing habits, health and medications.

Treatment options

Treat the cause

The first step is always to stop whatever is driving the recession. When gum disease is present, a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) removes tartar and bacteria from root surfaces below the gum line so the tissue can heal and tighten. Regular maintenance cleanings, often every three to four months for a time, keep it under control. If brushing technique is the cause, a soft brush and a gentle method make a large difference. If grinding is involved, a custom night guard can protect teeth and gums.

Calm sensitivity

Sensitivity toothpaste used daily, fluoride varnish at the office and bonding agents painted on exposed roots can reduce sensitivity. Our guide to fluoride in toothpaste explains how fluoride also protects roots from decay.

Restore notches and root surfaces

Tooth-coloured composite fillings can cover worn notches at the gum line, protect the root, reduce sensitivity and improve appearance. These are quick and conservative.

Gum grafting

Where recession is advanced, progressing, or leaves too little firm gum around a tooth, a gum graft may be recommended. Tissue taken from the roof of the mouth, or a donor or collagen material, is placed over the exposed root to thicken the gum and cover part or all of the root. Grafting is usually done by a periodontist, and your dentist will refer you when it is appropriate and continue to see you for regular care.

Orthodontics

When a tooth that sits far outside the arch is the root of the problem, moving it into a better position can sometimes improve the bone and gum around it, often combined with grafting. See our guide to braces and other alignment options.

Protecting your gums at home, step by step

1. Switch to a soft-bristled brush. If you use an electric brush, choose one with a pressure sensor.
2. Use a gentle angle. Tilt the bristles 45 degrees toward the gum line and use small circles or short strokes, not long scrubbing motions.
3. Brush for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and spit rather than rinse.
4. Clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes sized for your gaps.
5. Use a sensitivity toothpaste if roots are tender; give it a few weeks.
6. Wear your night guard if one has been made for you.
7. Keep regular cleanings at the interval your dentist recommends.

What to avoid

• Hard toothbrushes and heavy pressure. More force does not clean better.
• Abrasive whitening pastes or charcoal powders on exposed roots, which wear them faster.
• Ignoring bleeding gums. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation, not a reason to brush less.
• Smoking, vaping and chewing tobacco. Quitting helps gums heal and respond to treatment.
• Picking at the gums with fingernails, toothpicks or sharp objects.
• Waiting for gums to grow back. Receded gum does not return on its own; early care prevents further loss.
• Do-it-yourself teeth straightening without an exam, which can push teeth through thin bone and cause recession.

Gum recession in older adults

Seniors often have more exposed root surfaces, and many take medications that reduce saliva. That combination raises the risk of root decay, which can spread quickly around the neck of the tooth. Fluoride varnish, prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste, frequent sips of water and regular cleanings all help. Family members helping an older parent should brush gently along the gum line and let the dental team know about any new sensitivity or bleeding. Our page on dental care for seniors explains how we support older patients.

What a gum check involves at our clinic

A gum check is part of a regular exam, but it is worth knowing what is being measured. The dentist or hygienist gently slides a thin probe between each tooth and the gum at six points, reading the depth of the space in millimetres. Healthy spaces are shallow, and the gum does not bleed when touched. The team also records how far the gum edge has moved down each tooth, whether any teeth move when pressed, and whether there is a firm band of gum around each tooth. X-rays show the height of the bone between the teeth.

Together these numbers tell the dentist whether recession is from gum disease or from other causes, whether it is stable, and which teeth need closer attention. Ask to see your measurements and how they compare with your last visit; it is the clearest way to see whether your home care and treatment are working.

Recession, lifestyle and overall health

Gum health is linked to general health. Diabetes that is not well controlled makes gum disease more likely and harder to manage, and gum inflammation can in turn make blood sugar harder to control. Smoking and vaping slow healing and hide the bleeding that would normally warn you of a problem. Stress, poor sleep and a diet low in fruit and vegetables can also affect how gums respond. Tell your dentist about health conditions and medications, and see our guide to oral health and overall health for more on these links.

Living with sensitive roots day to day

While treatment takes effect, small changes make daily life easier. Drink very cold drinks through a straw, and let ice cream or frozen treats warm slightly first. Use lukewarm water to brush. Apply a little sensitivity toothpaste to the sore area with a clean finger at night and leave it on. Avoid whitening products until sensitivity settles. If one tooth stays sharply sensitive or starts to ache on its own, book a visit, since that can signal a cavity or a cracked tooth rather than recession alone.

Recession usually changes slowly, so steady habits and regular measurements matter more than any single visit. Small improvements in brushing and cleaning between teeth, kept up over months, protect the gums you have.

When to see a dentist

• A tooth looks longer, or you can see a notch or yellow root at the gum line.
• Teeth are newly sensitive to cold, sweets or brushing.
• Gums bleed when you brush or floss.
• A tooth feels loose or has moved.
• You grind or clench your teeth.
• It has been more than a year since your last cleaning.

Our family dentistry page explains check-ups, cleanings and gum care at our Danforth Avenue clinic.

Questions about gum recession

Can receded gums grow back?

No. Lost gum tissue does not regrow on its own. Treatment stops further loss, and grafting can cover exposed roots when needed.

Is gum recession the same as gum disease?

Not always. Gum disease is a common cause, but recession can also come from brushing too hard, grinding, thin gums or tooth position, even when gums are otherwise healthy.

Does gum recession always need a graft?

No. Many cases are mild and stable and are managed by treating the cause, gentle brushing and regular monitoring.

Why are my teeth sensitive near the gum line?

Exposed root surfaces have tiny channels leading toward the nerve. Cold, sweet and touch can trigger quick, sharp pain. Sensitivity toothpaste and office treatments help.

Can an electric toothbrush cause recession?

Used gently, an electric brush is safe and often helpful. Pressing hard with any brush can contribute to recession. Models with pressure sensors help.

Does recession mean I will lose my teeth?

Not necessarily. With early treatment and good home care, most people keep their teeth. Recession linked to advanced bone loss needs prompt care.

Is gum care covered by CDCP or insurance?

Many plans include gum treatments such as scaling, often with limits. Our team will check your coverage and explain it before treatment. See our CDCP page.