Have you noticed your teeth looking a little longer or feeling more sensitive than usual? These small changes may be early signs of gum recession, a condition that can develop gradually and quietly over time. Understanding what causes receding gums and addressing it early can help you avoid more serious dental issues down the road.
In this post, we’ll break down what causes receding gums, why it’s important to catch it early, and what you can do now to keep your gums healthy and your smile strong.
At Elizabeth L. Wakim DDS, we use advanced diagnostic tools like digital scanning and 3D imaging to detect gum recession in its earliest stages. Our team takes a personalized approach to prevention and treatment, helping you maintain healthy gums and a confident smile with the latest in modern dental care.
What Is Gum Recession?
Gum recession happens when the gum tissue around your teeth begins to pull away, exposing more of the tooth or even its root. You might not notice it at first, since it tends to happen slowly. But over time, receding gums can make teeth look longer, cause increased sensitivity, or lead to small gaps between teeth and gums where plaque can build up.
While gum recession is often linked to gum disease, it isn’t always caused by infection. In its earliest stage, gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease, you may notice redness, swelling, or bleeding along the gum line. In other cases, recession is the result of everyday habits like brushing too hard or skipping routine cleanings. Left untreated, it can increase your risk of cavities, gum inflammation, and even tooth loss.
If you’ve noticed any changes in how your gums look or feel, it’s a good idea to bring it up during your next dental visit even if it seems minor. The earlier it’s caught, the easier it is to manage.
Common Causes of Receding Gums
While gum recession can happen gradually, it’s often linked to specific habits or conditions that damage or irritate the gum tissue over time. Understanding these causes can help you take simple steps to protect your smile.
- Gum Disease: Bacterial infection from plaque buildup leads to inflammation (gingivitis) and, if left untreated, periodontitis. This weakens the supporting tissue and causes gums to recede.
- Brushing Too Hard: Scrubbing your teeth aggressively or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down your enamel and gum tissue. Gentle brushing makes a big difference.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Infrequent or inconsistent brushing and flossing allows plaque to build up along the gumline, increasing the risk of inflammation and tissue damage.
- Teeth Grinding or Clenching (Bruxism): Chronic grinding or clenching especially at night puts excess pressure on the gums and supporting bone, which may lead to gum recession.
- Misaligned Teeth or Bite Problems: Teeth that don’t line up properly can place extra stress on certain areas of the gums, causing tissue to wear away unevenly.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco reduces blood flow to gum tissue and increases the risk of gum disease both of which contribute to gum recession.
- Lip or Tongue Piercings: Oral jewelry can repeatedly rub against gum tissue, leading to irritation and eventual recession in the affected areas.
Who’s at Risk for Gum Recession?
Some people are more likely to experience gum recession due to genetics, lifestyle, or health conditions. Here are the most common risk factors:
- Genetics: Thin or fragile gum tissue can run in families, making some individuals more prone to gum recession even with good oral care.
- Age: Gum recession becomes more common with age, especially after 40, but it can begin much earlier depending on your habits and health.
- Tobacco Use: Frequent smokers and tobacco users are at higher risk due to reduced healing and increased plaque accumulation.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Skipping regular brushing or flossing allows bacteria and plaque to accumulate, setting the stage for inflammation and gum loss.
- Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy, menopause, and puberty can increase gum sensitivity and inflammation, especially in women.
- Health Conditions: Diabetes, immune disorders, and certain medications can affect gum health and increase vulnerability to gum disease and recession.
How to Spot Gum Recession Early
Gum recession often develops slowly, which means it can be easy to miss in its early stages. But the earlier it’s caught, the easier it is to manage and prevent further damage. That’s especially important because, over time, the chronic inflammation associated with gum disease can begin breaking down the tissue and bone that support your teeth, eventually leading to tooth loss if not treated.
Here are some subtle signs to watch for:
- Tooth Sensitivity: If you notice a sharp twinge when drinking something hot, cold, or sweet, it could be due to exposed tooth roots caused by receding gums.
- Teeth That Look Longer Than Usual: As gums pull back, more of the tooth surface (or even the root) becomes visible, making the tooth appear longer than others.
- Notching at the Gumline: You might see or feel a small groove where the gum has pulled away from the tooth. This is often a visible sign of recession.
- Color Changes Near the Gumline: Exposed root surfaces often look darker or more yellow than the whiter enamel above them.
- Small Gaps or “Black Triangles” Between Teeth: As gums recede, gaps can appear where the gum used to fill the space between your teeth.
- Bleeding or Swollen Gums: Although not always present, inflammation or bleeding during brushing or flossing can signal early gum problems that may lead to recession if untreated.
How Dentists Diagnose Gum Recession
If you’re starting to notice signs of gum recession or even if you’re unsure, your dentist has the tools to evaluate your gum health with precision and care. Diagnosing recession early helps prevent further tissue loss and gives you more treatment options.
1. Visual Exam
During a routine checkup, your dentist will gently examine your gums for signs of recession. They’ll look for areas where the gumline has pulled away from the tooth, exposing more of the surface or root.
2. Measuring Gum Pockets
Using a small instrument called a periodontal probe, your dentist will measure the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums (called pockets). Deeper pockets can indicate gum disease and may suggest active tissue loss.
3. Checking for Root Exposure
Your dentist may assess whether the root surface of the tooth is visible, which helps confirm the extent of the recession and whether sensitivity is likely.
4. Dental Imaging (When Needed)
Advanced diagnostic tools like 3D imaging and dental scans can be especially helpful when gum recession is more severe or bone loss is suspected. These technologies provide highly detailed views of the bone and supporting structures beneath the gums, allowing your dentist to determine whether the recession is isolated or part of a more widespread issue.
Treatment and Management Options
If you’ve noticed early signs of gum recession like sensitivity, bleeding gums, or changes in your gum line, there are several ways to treat it, depending on how much gum tissue has been lost and what’s causing the issue. Whether you’re dealing with mild gum recession or a more advanced case, early care can help prevent further damage and protect your oral health.
1. Improve Your Daily Routine
For mild gum recession, small changes in your at-home care can make a big difference.
- Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush for sensitive gums to avoid aggressive brushing, which can wear down gum tissue over time.
- Be gentle when brushing your teeth and avoid scrubbing at the gum line.
- Floss daily and consider using an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce harmful bacteria.
- If you smoke or use tobacco, consider quitting, it slows healing and damages soft tissue.
These changes help prevent gum recession from worsening and protect areas where gum tissue begins to thin.
2. Professional Cleanings and Scaling
Routine dental cleanings remove plaque that leads to gum inflammation. In some cases, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing, also known as tooth scaling or flap scaling, to clean below the gum line. This deep-cleaning procedure smooths the exposed root area, reduces bacteria, and helps soft tissue reattach more securely to the tooth.
3. Night Guards for Grinding
If you grind or clench your teeth (especially during sleep), you may be putting unnecessary pressure on your gums. A custom night guard helps reduce strain on one or more teeth, protecting both the connective tissue and the supporting bone.
4. Gum Recession Treatment with Grafts
When there’s not enough gum tissue left to protect the teeth, your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend a gum graft. This minimally invasive procedure involves placing donor tissue or regenerative material over the exposed root area to restore coverage and protect the tooth.
Some procedures use connective tissue from the roof of your mouth, while others may use alternative sources depending on your needs. Grafting not only improves protection, but also reduces sensitivity and improves appearance, especially if gum recession has made you feel self-conscious.
5. Addressing Underlying Health Conditions
Gum recession isn’t always caused by brushing habits or local inflammation, sometimes, it’s linked to broader health concerns. As explored in our blog on gum disease and heart health, systemic conditions like high blood sugar, a weakened immune system, or cancer treatment can all affect the body’s ability to heal and maintain healthy gum tissue. Female hormone levels can also play a role, making some women more prone to thin gum tissue and gum recession at different stages of life.
In these cases, your dental team may collaborate with your physician or refer you to a gum specialist to ensure your care plan supports both your oral and overall health.
6. Monitoring Bone Loss and Tooth Stability
Advanced gum recession can lead to lost bone around the teeth, increasing the risk of loose teeth and other oral health problems. If your dentist suspects this, imaging and periodontal assessments will help determine whether further intervention is needed.
Noticing Changes in Your Gums? We’re Here to Help
Gum recession often starts with small signs like sensitivity, bleeding gums, or a shifting gum line but it can lead to bigger oral health issues if ignored. Whether you’re managing mild gum recession or simply want to prevent it, catching it early can make a lasting difference.
At Elizabeth L. Wakim DDS, we combine advanced diagnostics with a personalized approach to help you preserve your natural gum tissue, protect exposed root areas, and maintain a healthy smile. Our goal is to keep your care comfortable, effective, and tailored to your unique needs.
Let’s Take Care of Your Smile, Together
Our team is committed to protecting your smile with gentle, personalized care. If you’re dealing with sensitive teeth, gum irritation, or wondering whether your brushing habits may be contributing to gum recession, we’re here to help. Contact our Pennsylvania office at (724) 558-8222or use our contact form to schedule a visit and get support tailored to your oral health needs.
