Address the Root Cause
If gum disease is present, scaling and root planing removes calculus and bacteria from below the gumline. Combined with ongoing maintenance, this manages infection and halts further recession.
Periodontal TreatmentGum Health
Receding Gums — Prevention & Treatment
Gum recession exposes vulnerable root surfaces and changes your smile. Early detection and treatment are key.
When gum tissue pulls away from the tooth, the root surface becomes exposed, creating sensitivity, increasing decay risk, and altering smile appearance. Recession is gradual, and many patients don't notice until it's progressed significantly.
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The most common cause is gum disease — chronic bacterial infection that destroys gum tissue and underlying bone. Other significant causes include aggressive brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush, teeth grinding (bruxism), misaligned bite, hormonal changes, tobacco use, and genetics.
The good news: most causes are preventable or treatable when identified early. Regular dental exams detect recession in its early stages before significant damage occurs.
Prevention & Care →Root Causes
What Causes Gum Recession
Bacterial Infection
Gum recession occurs when gum tissue pulls away from the tooth, exposing the root surface. Once exposed, the root becomes sensitive and vulnerable to decay.
Bacterial infection through cavities on exposed roots accelerates recession and bone loss.
Periodontal disease destroys the bone supporting gums. As bone is lost, gums recede. Untreated gum disease results in significant gum and bone loss.
Preventing and treating gum disease stops recession and protects your teeth.
Mechanical Wear
Aggressive brushing is a common cause of recession. Overly vigorous brushing (or using a hard-bristled toothbrush) traumatizes delicate gum tissue over time.
The gums recede to protect underlying bone from the mechanical trauma of aggressive brushing.
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle brushing technique prevents this common cause of recession.
Once recession occurs from mechanical trauma, the gum doesn't naturally regrow.
Grinding & Lifestyle
Clenching or grinding creates damaging forces that traumatize gums and bone, contributing to recession.
A custom nightguard protects against damage from grinding and prevents further recession.
Orthodontic tooth movement can cause recession if teeth are moved too aggressively or moved beyond the bone's boundaries.
At Vitality, we use conservative orthodontic forces to prevent recession during tooth movement.
Inherited Risk
Some people inherit genetic predisposition to thin gums or reduced bone height, making them more prone to recession.
Understanding your genetic risk helps you take preventive action through careful home care and professional monitoring.
Even with genetic predisposition, good oral hygiene and regular professional care can prevent or minimize recession.
If you have a family history of gum problems, extra vigilance protects your gums.
Treatment & Management Options
Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause and protecting exposed root surfaces.
Key Details
Stops disease progression
Desensitize & Protect
Desensitising agents, fluoride application, or bonding over exposed roots provide relief from sensitivity and protect vulnerable root surfaces from decay.
Sensitivity Treatment
Key Details
Restores comfort
Advanced Cases
For advanced recession, gum grafting surgery restores tissue coverage over exposed roots. This procedure is particularly beneficial for cosmetic improvement and long-term protection.
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Key Details
Surgical restoration option
Prevention is the Best Treatment
Common Questions
Receding Gums FAQs
Important information about gum recession
Early recession can be halted with treatment of the underlying cause. Once gum tissue is lost, it does not naturally regenerate. Gum grafting can restore coverage in advanced cases.
Not necessarily. With proper treatment and prevention, you can protect your teeth and prevent tooth loss. Early detection and intervention are crucial.
Signs include longer-looking teeth, exposed root surfaces that are darker or more sensitive, a gap between tooth and gum, or visible gum tissue loss.
Improved oral hygiene helps prevent further recession, but it cannot restore lost gum tissue. Professional treatment and potentially grafting may be needed.
Schedule an exam immediately. The sooner you seek treatment, the better we can prevent further progression and protect your teeth.