Gum Recession: Causes, Treatment Options, and When to See a Periodontist

Key Takeaways

• Gum recession exposes the root surface of a tooth. Roots are softer than enamel and are not protected by it.
• Receding gums do not regenerate by themselves, but further recession can often be prevented.
• Common causes include gum disease, brushing too hard, thin gum tissue, grinding, and orthodontic tooth movement.
• Treatment ranges from changing how you brush to scaling and root planing and gum grafting.
• A periodontist is the dental specialist trained to diagnose and treat gum recession.

What is gum recession?

Healthy gum tissue fits snugly around each tooth and covers the root. With gum recession, the gumline moves down (or up, on the upper teeth) and leaves part of the root exposed.

This matters for three reasons:

1. Sensitivity. Exposed roots react to cold, hot, sweet, and even brushing.
2. Decay risk. Root surfaces decay more easily than enamel.
3. Support. When recession comes with bone loss, the tooth has less support and may eventually become loose.

Recession often develops slowly over years, so it is easy to miss until it becomes visible or uncomfortable.

Signs you may have receding gums

• A tooth looks longer than the teeth beside it
• A notch or ledge you can feel near the gumline
• Sensitivity to cold drinks, air, or brushing near the gums
• Darker or yellow root surface showing at the gumline
• Gaps opening between teeth near the gums
• Bleeding or swollen gums (often a sign of gum disease alongside recession)
• A tooth that feels loose

If you notice any of these, mention them at your next dental visit. Your dentist may measure the recession and refer you to a periodontist.

What causes gum recession?

Gum recession usually has more than one cause. The most common are:

Gum disease (periodontitis)

Bacterial infection below the gumline can destroy the bone and connective tissue that hold the gums in place. As the support is lost, the gums recede. This is one of the most important causes to rule out, because it can affect several teeth at once and continues without treatment.

Brushing too hard

Scrubbing with a hard-bristled brush, or with a sideways sawing motion, can wear the gum tissue away over time. This type of recession is often seen on the cheek side of the canines and premolars.

Thin gum tissue

Some people are born with thinner, more delicate gums. Thin tissue is more likely to recede, even with good habits.

Teeth grinding and clenching

Heavy forces from grinding (bruxism) can stress the tissue and bone around certain teeth.

Tooth position and orthodontic movement

Teeth that sit further outward in the jaw, or that are moved outward during orthodontic treatment, may have very little bone and gum covering the root.

Other factors

• Smoking and vaping, which reduce blood flow to the gums
• Lip or tongue piercings that rub against the gums
• A strong muscle attachment (frenum) pulling on the gumline
• Hormonal changes and some medical conditions
• Ageing, combined with any of the factors above

Can receding gums grow back?

No. Once gum tissue has receded, it does not grow back by itself. Products advertised to “regrow gums” cannot rebuild lost tissue.

What is possible:

• Stopping it. Treating gum disease and changing the habits that caused the recession can keep it from getting worse.
• Covering the root. Gum grafting can rebuild tissue over exposed roots in many cases. How much coverage is possible depends on the bone between the teeth and the type of recession.

This is why early assessment matters. The less tissue and bone has been lost, the more predictable the result.

How serious is my gum recession?

A periodontist looks at more than how much root is showing. They will usually check:

• How many millimetres of root are exposed on each affected tooth
• The width and thickness of the remaining gum tissue
• Pocket depths around the teeth, which show whether gum disease is active
• Bone levels on X-rays, especially between the teeth
• Whether the recession is getting worse compared with previous records
• Tooth mobility, sensitivity, and root decay

Mild recession with thick tissue and no gum disease may only need monitoring and better home care. Recession that is progressing, causing sensitivity, or leaving almost no protective gum tissue is more likely to need treatment.

Gum recession treatment options

Treatment depends on the cause and severity. A plan often combines several of these steps.

1. Fixing the cause

• Switching to a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush and using gentle, short strokes
• A night guard if grinding is contributing
• Quitting smoking or vaping
• Adjusting orthodontic or restorative plans if they are adding stress to the gums

2. Treating gum disease

If periodontitis is present, it needs to be controlled first. This usually starts with scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces so the gums can heal. Some patients then need regular periodontal maintenance visits to keep the disease stable. Our oral hygiene and cleaning team works with the periodontists on this ongoing care.

3. Managing sensitivity

Desensitising toothpaste, fluoride treatments, or bonding material over the exposed root can make the tooth more comfortable. These treat the symptom, not the lost tissue.

4. Gum grafting

When recession is progressing, sensitive, or leaves too little protective tissue, a gum graft may be recommended. In a gum graft, the periodontist places new tissue at the receded area to cover the root and thicken the gums. The tissue may come from the roof of your mouth or from a prepared graft material, depending on your case.

Gum grafting can:

• Cover exposed roots and reduce sensitivity
• Protect the root from decay
• Thicken thin tissue so it is less likely to recede again
• Improve the look of the gumline

Gum grafting is one of the periodontal procedures offered at Park Lane Dental Specialists. You can see the full list on our periodontics page.

5. Other periodontal surgery

If deep pockets or bone loss are present, procedures such as pocket reduction surgery or bone grafting may be part of the plan. If a tight muscle attachment is pulling the gum, a frenectomy may help.

Gum recession and dental implants

Healthy gums and bone are just as important around implants as around natural teeth. If you are missing teeth and are thinking about implants, recession and gum disease are usually treated first. Read more about dental implants at Park Lane.

How to prevent gum recession

• Brush twice a day with a soft brush, at a slight angle to the gumline, using small gentle strokes
• Do not scrub sideways or press hard; an electric brush with a pressure sensor can help
• Clean between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes
• Keep regular dental cleanings and exams so changes are caught early
• Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
• Avoid smoking and vaping
• Ask about your gums before starting orthodontic treatment

When should you see a periodontist?

Ask your dentist about a referral, or contact a periodontist directly, if:

• Your recession is getting worse
• You have bleeding gums, deep pockets, or loose teeth
• Sensitivity near the gumline is affecting what you eat or drink
• You have been told you have thin gums before orthodontics or implants
• You want to know if a gum graft is right for you

A periodontist is a dentist who has completed additional specialty training in the gums and supporting bone. If you would like to know more about what this specialist does, read What does a periodontist do?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can receding gums grow back?

No. Gum tissue that has receded does not grow back on its own. Recession can often be stopped by treating the cause, and exposed roots can often be covered with a gum graft.

Can I stop receding gums?

In many cases, yes. Controlling gum disease, brushing gently with a soft brush, treating grinding, and quitting smoking can slow or stop further recession. A periodontist can tell you which factors are driving your recession.

How do you treat gum recession?

Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Options include improving brushing technique, scaling and root planing for gum disease, desensitising treatments, and gum grafting to cover exposed roots and thicken the tissue.

How do I brush my teeth to avoid gum recession?

Use a soft-bristled brush, hold it at a slight angle to the gumline, and use small, gentle circular strokes. Avoid hard scrubbing or sideways sawing. An electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor can help if you tend to press too hard.

How can I tell if my gum recession is severe?

Warning signs include more than a few millimetres of exposed root, recession that is getting worse, strong sensitivity, bleeding gums, deep pockets, or loose teeth. A periodontal exam with measurements and X-rays is the only reliable way to know.

Do I need a referral to see a periodontist in Halifax?

Many patients are referred by their dentist, and Park Lane Dental Specialists accepts referrals from dentists across Halifax and Nova Scotia. You can also contact our office directly to ask about booking a consultation.

Gum recession care in downtown Halifax

Park Lane Dental Specialists has provided specialist periodontal care in downtown Halifax since 1994. Our periodontists diagnose and treat gum recession and gum disease, and coordinate with your dentist and our prosthodontist when other treatment is needed.

If you have been referred, or you are worried about receding gums, learn more about our periodontist in Halifax services or contact us.

Call (902) 422-5454
5657 Spring Garden Road, Suite 600 (Park Lane Shopping Centre), Halifax, NS B3J 3R4

This article is for general information and does not replace a dental examination. Your periodontist will recommend treatment based on your own diagnosis.