Receding Gums: Causes, Treatment & When to See a Periodontist

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Receding gums happen when the gum tissue around a tooth pulls back and exposes more of the tooth or its root. The most common causes are periodontal disease, overly aggressive brushing, teeth grinding, and genetics. Recession doesn't reverse on its own, but catching it early — and treating whatever's driving it — can often stop it from getting worse, and a periodontist can rebuild lost tissue in more advanced cases.

If your teeth look a little longer than they used to, or a certain tooth has started reacting sharply to cold air or ice water, it's worth reading on. Here's what's actually happening beneath the gumline, what causes it, and what a periodontist can do about it.

What Is Gum Recession, Exactly?

Healthy gum tissue forms a snug collar around each tooth, covering the root and protecting the bone underneath. When that tissue recedes, it exposes root surfaces that were never meant to be uncovered. Root surfaces are softer than enamel and lack its protective coating, which is why receding gums so often come with sensitivity, a higher risk of root cavities, and a look some patients describe as their teeth "getting longer."

Recession is a gradual process. Most people don't notice it happening — they notice the result: a change in how a tooth looks or feels. According to a review published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, gum recession becomes markedly more common with age, which is one reason periodontal screening is part of a routine dental visit at every stage of adulthood.

What Causes Receding Gums?

There's rarely a single cause. In practice, we usually see a combination of factors at play.

Periodontal (gum) disease

This is the most common driver. Bacterial plaque along the gumline triggers inflammation that, left untreated, breaks down the gum tissue and the bone that anchors your teeth. If you'd like the fuller picture of how that progression works, see our guide to gum disease signs and treatment.

Brushing too hard

It's a common misconception that harder brushing means cleaner teeth. In reality, scrubbing with a hard-bristled brush or heavy pressure wears away gum tissue over time, particularly on teeth that sit slightly outside the arch. A soft-bristled brush and gentle, circular strokes protect your gums just as well while cleaning just as effectively.

Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)

Excess force on your teeth doesn't just wear down enamel — it can also stress the gum tissue and the bone supporting your teeth. If you wake up with a sore jaw or your dentist has pointed out wear patterns on your teeth, it's worth reading our guide on signs of teeth grinding and whether you need a night guard, since managing bruxism can also help protect your gums.

Misaligned teeth or bite pressure

When teeth are crowded or a bite is uneven, some teeth take on more force than they're built for, and the gum and bone around them can thin out faster than elsewhere in the mouth.

Genetics

Some people are simply born with thinner gum tissue or a thinner layer of bone over certain teeth, which makes those areas more prone to recession even with excellent oral hygiene.

Tobacco use

Smoking and other tobacco use is linked with a higher rate of gum disease and slower healing, both of which contribute to recession over time.

Oral piercings and trauma

A lip or tongue piercing that repeatedly rubs against the gums can wear tissue away at that specific spot, and any repeated trauma to the gums can have a similar effect.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

• Teeth that appear longer than they used to
• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
• A visible notch or step where the tooth meets the gum
• The root surface looking slightly darker or more yellow than the enamel above it
• Gums that feel tender, look red, or bleed when you brush
• A tooth that feels loose in more advanced cases

Because recession usually develops slowly, many people don't notice until sensitivity becomes a daily annoyance. Regular dental checkups catch it earlier, when treatment tends to be more conservative.

How Gum Recession Is Diagnosed

During a periodontal exam, we measure the depth of the space between your gum and each tooth with a small probe, and we note how much root surface is exposed at each site. This tells us not just whether recession is present, but how far it has progressed and whether active gum disease is driving it. X-rays may also be used to check the bone level supporting the affected teeth.

Treatment Options for Receding Gums

Treatment depends on the cause and how advanced the recession is. The goal is always to stop further recession first, then address what's already happened if it's affecting your comfort, health, or smile.

Scaling and root planing

If gum disease is the underlying cause, a deep cleaning below the gumline removes the bacterial buildup driving inflammation. This is often the first step and can halt recession that's caused by active periodontal disease.

Improved home care and technique

Switching to a soft-bristled brush, adjusting your brushing pressure and angle, and flossing daily can stop mechanically caused recession from progressing further.

Addressing bite and grinding

If bruxism or bite pressure is a factor, a custom night guard or bite adjustment can take pressure off the affected teeth and gums.

Gum grafting

When recession has already exposed a significant amount of root surface, gum grafting can rebuild the tissue and cover the exposed root. Depending on the case, a periodontist may use tissue from elsewhere in your mouth or a biocompatible graft material. Grafting can reduce sensitivity, protect the root from decay, and restore a more even gumline. Because grafting is a surgical procedure with real variability by case, your periodontist will advise which technique fits your situation and what to expect during healing.

Ongoing periodontal maintenance

Once recession is stabilized, regular periodontal cleanings — often more frequent than a standard six-month cleaning — help keep it that way.

What Happens If Receding Gums Are Left Untreated?

Beyond sensitivity and appearance, unmanaged recession can gradually expose more of the root, increase the risk of root decay, and in advanced cases contribute to bone loss around the tooth. Severe, longstanding recession combined with bone loss can eventually put a tooth at risk of becoming loose. If a tooth is ultimately lost, replacement options like dental implants become part of the conversation — another reason it's worth addressing recession while options are still conservative.

How West Covina Patients Can Protect Their Gums

A few habits go a long way toward preventing recession or slowing it down:

• Use a soft-bristled brush and let the bristles, not brute force, do the work.
• Floss daily to keep bacteria from building up along the gumline.
• Have any teeth grinding evaluated — a night guard is a simple fix that protects both teeth and gums.
• Keep up with regular checkups so a periodontal screening catches changes early.
• If you use tobacco, know that quitting measurably improves gum health over time.

At American Dental Group, Dr. Homan Hanasab, a board-certified periodontist and dental implant specialist, evaluates gum recession as part of routine care for patients throughout West Covina, Covina, Baldwin Park, and the greater San Gabriel Valley. Whether your recession is mild and just needs a change in home care, or advanced enough to warrant a grafting conversation, an exam is the place to start.

Schedule a periodontal evaluation with American Dental Group or call (626) 337-7271 to have your gums checked before recession progresses further.

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