Receding gums: what causes them and what you can do
Teeth that look longer than they used to, a notch near the gum line, a twinge from cold water. Gum recession creeps up slowly, and most adults have some of it by later life.
Checked for accuracy by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, our implant surgeon · Last updated October 2026Gum recession is when the gum pulls back from the tooth and exposes part of the root. The main causes are gum disease, brushing too hard, a naturally thin gum, smoking and grinding. Receded gum does not grow back on its own, but you can usually stop it getting worse with gentler brushing and treatment of any gum disease. Sensitive or unsightly areas can be covered with bonding, and some sites can be repaired with a gum graft.
Receding gums are gums that have pulled back from the teeth, so more of each tooth shows and part of the root is exposed. You might notice that a tooth looks longer, that there is a small dark gap or notch near the gum line, or that cold drinks suddenly sting. It happens slowly, so many people only spot it when a dentist points it out or when sensitivity starts. The good news is that, in most cases, it can be stopped from getting worse. This guide covers the causes, why it matters, and the options, starting with the simplest.
What gum recession actually is
A healthy gum sits snugly around the neck of the tooth, just over the point where the enamel crown meets the root. The root is covered by a thinner layer called cementum and has no enamel. When the gum moves down (or up, on the top teeth), that root surface is left open to the mouth.
Underneath the gum is bone. In most recession, a little of that bone has gone too, which is why gum does not simply grow back over the gap. A review in the Journal of the American Dental Association found recession to be very common in adults and to become more common with age. It can affect one tooth or many.
The main causes
There is rarely a single reason. Dentists usually find a mix of the following.
| Cause | How it leads to recession | What you might notice |
|---|---|---|
| Gum disease (periodontitis) | Bacteria in plaque inflame the gum and slowly destroy the bone under it | Bleeding when brushing, bad breath, loose teeth, recession on several teeth |
| Brushing too hard | Scrubbing with a hard brush wears the thin gum over the root | Recession on the side you brush most, often canines and premolars, gums otherwise healthy |
| Thin gums | Some people are born with a thin gum and thin bone over the roots | Roots visible through the gum, recession in your family |
| Smoking and tobacco | Reduces blood flow and hides the bleeding that would warn you | Recession with little bleeding, staining |
| Grinding and clenching | Heavy forces may play a part at the gum line | Worn, flat teeth, notches at the neck of the teeth |
| Crooked teeth or past brace treatment | Teeth pushed outwards can end up with very thin bone over the root | Recession on one tooth that sits forward of the others |
| Old crowns, fillings or partial dentures | Edges that trap plaque, or clasps that rub | Recession beside one crown or the clasp of a denture |
The NHS page on gum disease lists receding gums among the signs of periodontitis, alongside bad breath, loose teeth and gum abscesses. If your gums bleed, gum disease should be ruled out first.
Why it matters
A little recession on one or two teeth may never cause trouble. It becomes a problem when it brings one of these with it:
- Sensitivity. The exposed root has tiny tubes leading to the nerve. Cold, sweet or acidic food reaches them easily. This is one of the most common reasons adults have sensitive teeth.
- Root decay. Root surfaces are softer than enamel and decay faster, especially if you have a dry mouth or snack often.
- Wear at the gum line. Notches can form where the root meets the crown, from brushing and acid.
- Appearance. Longer teeth, dark triangles between front teeth and uneven gum lines can bother people when they smile.
- Loose teeth. When recession comes from advanced gum disease, the bone loss behind it can loosen teeth.
First steps you can take at home
None of these will regrow gum, but they can stop it going further and ease sensitivity.
- Brush gently. Use a soft or medium brush and small circular movements, angled towards the gum. Hold the brush with your fingertips, not your fist. The NHS guide to cleaning your teeth recommends brushing for about two minutes twice a day.
- Try an electric brush with a pressure sensor. It warns you when you press too hard, which is the habit most people with brushing-related recession have.
- Clean between the teeth. Interdental brushes or floss once a day remove plaque where gum disease usually starts.
- Spit, don't rinse. Leaving fluoride toothpaste on the teeth after brushing helps protect exposed roots from decay.
- Use a sensitive toothpaste. If roots sting, a toothpaste for sensitive teeth used every day for a few weeks often helps. Rubbing a little onto the sore area before bed can help too.
- Stop smoking if you smoke. It is one of the biggest risk factors for gum disease that you can change.
What a dentist can do
The first job is to find out why the gum is receding and whether it is still moving. A dentist or hygienist measures the gum around each tooth with a fine probe, checks for bleeding and pockets, and looks at X-rays to see the bone. Photos taken over time show whether things are stable.
From there, options range from small to surgical:
- Treating gum disease. If there is active disease, a deep clean above and below the gum line comes first. Nothing else will last if the gums are inflamed.
- Desensitising treatments. Varnishes or high-fluoride products painted on the exposed root can reduce sensitivity and lower the risk of root decay.
- Tooth-coloured bonding. Composite resin can fill notches at the gum line and cover exposed roots. It is quick and needs no surgery, though it covers the root rather than replacing gum.
- Gum grafts. A periodontal surgeon moves gum tissue, often from the roof of the mouth, to cover the root or thicken a thin gum. A 2021 review in the International Dental Journal notes that grafting can give good root coverage where the bone between the teeth is still intact, and that results are less predictable where it has been lost.
- Correcting the cause. Replacing a crown with a poor edge, adjusting a denture clasp, or fitting a night guard for grinding can all take pressure off the gum.
Not everyone needs surgery. Small, stable recession that does not hurt is often best left alone and watched. A dentist may take a photo or note the measurements and compare them at your next check-up. If nothing has moved in a year or two, and the area is easy to clean, that is usually a good sign. Surgery is more likely to be suggested when recession is getting worse, when the gum over a root is very thin, or when sensitivity does not respond to simpler measures.
Receding gums and cosmetic work
Many people first think about their gums when they are planning crowns, veneers or what the UK press calls "Turkish teeth". Recession affects that plan in a few ways. Crown and veneer edges are usually placed at or near the gum line, and if the gum then moves, a dark line or a strip of root can appear. Gums with active disease also bleed during treatment and do not settle well around new work.
So the order matters: gums first, cosmetic work second. In some cases, gum treatment or bonding alone is enough, and you may not need as many crowns as you thought. Our veneers page explains who is and is not suited to them.
How we handle this at Precious Dental
When you send us photos or an X-ray for a free plan, our dentists look at the gum line and bone levels as well as the teeth you are asking about. At the clinic, gums are checked before any cosmetic or implant work is confirmed. If there is gum disease, we offer a deep clean (scaling and root planing under local anaesthetic) first, and your plan may change once the gums have settled. We prefer to keep healthy teeth rather than crown them, so if bonding at £125 per tooth or simple gum care is the better answer for a receding area, that is what we will suggest. If a gum graft is advised, your written plan will show whether and how it fits into your trip. More detail is on our gum treatment page and in our FAQ.
Sources
- NHS: Gum disease
- Oral Health Foundation: Gum disease
- Imber JC, Kasaj A. Treatment of Gingival Recession: When and How? Int Dent J 2021
- Kassab MM, Cohen RE. The etiology and prevalence of gingival recession. J Am Dent Assoc 2003
- NHS: How to keep your teeth clean
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
Common questions
Can receding gums grow back?
Not by themselves. Once gum tissue and the bone beneath it have been lost, the body does not rebuild them. Gum surgery can cover some exposed roots, but home care cannot. What home care can do is stop it getting worse.
Are receding gums a sign of gum disease?
Sometimes, but not always. Gum disease is one major cause, especially if your gums bleed, look red or feel puffy. Recession on the front of the teeth with healthy, pink gums is more often linked to brushing too hard or a thin gum. Only a gum check with a probe can tell which applies to you.
Which toothbrush is best if my gums are receding?
A soft or medium brush, used gently. Many electric brushes have a pressure sensor that lights up when you press too hard, which helps people who scrub. The method matters more than the brand.
Will receding gums make my teeth fall out?
Recession alone rarely does. Teeth become loose when the bone around them is lost, which is what advanced gum disease does. That is why finding and treating gum disease is the first step.
Can I have crowns or veneers if my gums are receding?
Often yes, once the gums are healthy and stable. The dentist plans where the edge of the crown sits so it can be cleaned. Our gum treatment page explains why gums are treated first.
Ask a Turkish dentist for a free written plan
Phone photos of your smile or an old X-ray are enough. You get the treatment, the implant brand and the price in pounds on paper, with no obligation to book.