Gum recession exposes the root surface, which has no enamel on it. That is why receded areas are sensitive, why they decay more readily than the crown of the tooth, and why recession matters beyond how it looks. Gum that has receded does not grow back on its own — but in most cases it can be stopped from getting worse.
Why it happens
Brushing too hard
The most common cause of recession on the outer surfaces, particularly in people with otherwise excellent oral hygiene. Hard pressure, a hard-bristled brush, an aggressive scrubbing motion and abrasive toothpaste all wear the gum back and can notch the tooth at the margin.
It is frustrating for patients to be told that the problem is caused by trying too hard. It is also good news, because it is entirely fixable.
Gum disease
Periodontitis destroys the bone supporting the gum, and the gum follows it down. Recession from this cause is usually accompanied by pockets and bleeding — see periodontitis: when bone is involved.
Thin gum and bone
Some people simply have a thinner covering of gum and bone over the roots, particularly where a tooth sits prominently outside the arch. These sites recede more readily whatever you do.
Tooth position
A tooth pushed forward out of the arch has less bone in front of it. Orthodontic movement can contribute to recession where teeth are moved beyond the bony envelope, which is one reason careful planning matters — see orthodontics for adults.
Grinding and clenching
Heavy load flexes the tooth at the neck and is associated with recession and with notching at the gum line — see teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
Other causes
Piercings rubbing against the gum; a prominent frenum pulling at the margin; smoking; and normal ageing, though age accounts for less than commonly assumed.
Why it matters
Sensitivity. Exposed dentine responds sharply to cold, air and sweet things — see tooth sensitivity.
Root decay. Root surface is softer than enamel and decays faster, and it is harder to restore because the margins sit at or below the gum. This is a particular problem in older patients and in anyone with a dry mouth.
Appearance. Teeth look longer, and where recession is uneven across the front teeth it is noticeable.
Progression. Left unaddressed, the causes continue.
Stopping it getting worse
This is the realistic first aim, and in most cases it is achievable.
- Change how you brush. Soft brush, light pressure, small movements angled at the gum line rather than scrubbing across it. If you use an electric brush, let it do the work and use the pressure sensor. This alone halts most brushing-related recession.
- Stop using abrasive pastes, including charcoal and heavily marketed whitening pastes.
- Treat gum disease if it is present.
- Wear a night guard if you grind.
- Address tooth position where a prominent tooth is the cause.
- Stop smoking.
- Have it measured and monitored. Recession is recorded in millimetres at check-ups, which is how you know whether it is stable or progressing — ask.
Treating the consequences
Sensitivity: desensitising toothpaste used correctly — rubbed onto the area and left rather than rinsed off — fluoride varnish, and desensitising agents applied at the clinic.
Notched or decayed areas: restored with a bonded filling, which also covers the exposed dentine.
Root decay: restored, with attention to prevention because the risk continues.
Can recession be reversed?
Not by itself. Surgical gum grafting can cover exposed root surfaces in selected cases — tissue is taken from elsewhere in the mouth, or a substitute material is used, and positioned over the recession.
It works best where the recession is localised, where the bone between the teeth is intact, and where the cause has been removed. It is less predictable where bone has been lost between teeth, and it is not a solution for generalised recession across the whole mouth.
It is worth considering where sensitivity is severe and unmanageable, where recession is progressing despite the cause being addressed, where the root is at high risk of decay, or where appearance matters to you in a visible area. It is a genuine option, not a cosmetic indulgence — but the cause has to be under control first, or the graft recedes too.
A note on black triangles
Loss of the gum between teeth is a different problem from recession on the outer surface, and it is much harder to correct — that tissue depends on the bone beneath it, and grafting there is unpredictable. Where they bother a patient, the practical options are usually restorative — reshaping the contact points with bonding — or orthodontic.
Frequently asked questions
Is recession always gum disease?
No. Brushing trauma and thin tissue are common causes with no disease present. An assessment distinguishes them.
Will it keep getting worse?
Not if the cause is removed. That is why identifying the cause matters more than treating the appearance.
Should I brush more gently even where it does not bleed?
Yes. Light pressure with good technique cleans better than hard pressure.
Does it mean I will lose the tooth?
Recession alone does not. Recession with significant bone loss is a different matter.
Can whitening help the darker root area?
Root surface does not whiten in the same way as enamel — see why whitening does not work on every tooth.
Get the cause identified and measured
Knowing whether your recession is stable or progressing is more useful than any product. See our gum and periodontal care page.
To arrange a consultation at our clinic on Abbas El-Akkad in Nasr City, call +20 101 969 7597 or message us on WhatsApp.
