What is gum recession, and how do you recognise it?
Healthy gum fits closely around the tooth and covers the root. In gum recession, the gum pulls back and the root surface that normally lies beneath it becomes visible. According to Cleveland Clinic, recession can be mild, moderate or severe and can affect one tooth or many. It occurs at any age but is most common over 65: in this age group, according to Cleveland Clinic, about 88 percent have recession at one or more teeth.
Recession usually progresses slowly and goes unnoticed at first. You may notice these signs:
- Roots become visible and the teeth look longer than before; the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) counts gums pulling away from the teeth among the warning signs of gum disease, and Mayo Clinic also lists receding gums that make teeth look longer as a symptom of periodontitis.
- Sensitivity to cold, heat and sweet food, and pain when brushing, flossing or during professional cleaning.
- Pain or a feeling of pressure near the gum line.
How the sensitivity develops and what helps at home is explained in our guide on sensitive teeth.
Why do gums recede?
Usually several factors act together. Cleveland Clinic and the British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (BSP) name above all:
- Periodontitis: plaque and tartar inflame the gum. According to Mayo Clinic, the ongoing inflammation forms deep pockets, destroys tissue and bone and makes the gums recede. The NHS describes that gum disease can lead to shrinking gums, loose teeth and tooth loss.
- Brushing too hard: Cleveland Clinic names very vigorous, scrubbing brushing, the BSP cleaning with too much pressure.
- Thin gum tissue: according to Cleveland Clinic, some people naturally have thin gum tissue.
- Tobacco: smoking and chewing tobacco.
- Tooth position: crowded or unusually positioned teeth.
- Orthodontic treatment: both sources count previous braces among the possible causes.
- Lip or tongue piercings and injuries to the gum.
The BSP points out that gums can also recede after successful treatment of periodontitis: when the inflammation subsides and the swelling goes down, surfaces become visible that the swollen gum covered before.
Does receded gum grow back?
No. According to Cleveland Clinic, receded gum tissue does not regenerate on its own; with the right measures, however, it can be prevented from getting worse.
The first goal of treatment is therefore to find the cause and stop the recession. Whether to cover the exposed root is a separate decision. According to the BSP, lost gum can in some cases be replaced with a soft-tissue graft from another part of the mouth.
What are the consequences of gum recession?
Mild recession often has no consequences for a long time. If it progresses, these consequences are possible:
| Consequence | Why? |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity | According to Cleveland Clinic, the exposed root reacts to heat, cold, sweet food, brushing and professional cleaning |
| Root decay | According to Cleveland Clinic, exposed roots are more prone to decay |
| Bone loss and loosening | According to Cleveland Clinic, untreated recession can lead to bone loss, loose teeth and tooth loss |
| Appearance | Teeth look long; according to the BSP this is a considerable cosmetic concern for some people |
Some of these consequences are linked to the underlying periodontitis. According to Mayo Clinic, its signs include bleeding gums, bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth and a change in how the teeth meet when biting. For bleeding, see our guide on bleeding gums; for treating the disease, our guide on gum disease treatment.
How is gum recession treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and the extent. Cleveland Clinic and the BSP name above all:
- Treating the periodontitis: according to the BSP, gum disease must be treated and under control before receded gum is covered or disguised. According to the NHS, the early stages are managed with cleaning advice and a hygienist cleaning; in serious cases, deep cleaning under the gums, antibiotics or gum surgery may be needed.
- Correcting brushing technique: if brushing too hard contributes, switching to a soft brush and gentle pressure helps.
- Easing sensitivity: Cleveland Clinic names fluoride varnish and toothpastes for sensitive teeth.
- Covering the root with a tooth-coloured filling: according to Cleveland Clinic, the exposed root can be covered with tooth-coloured filling material; the BSP also mentions artificial gum pieces to disguise gaps between the teeth.
- Orthodontics: according to Cleveland Clinic, the gum line can improve over time after crooked teeth are corrected.
- Gum graft: a procedure that covers the exposed root with gum tissue, see below.
Which of these options suits you is decided after the cause and extent have been assessed.
What is a gum graft, and who is it for?
According to Cleveland Clinic, gum graft surgery is a procedure for thin or receded gums. The graft covers the exposed root and adds volume to the gum line. The tissue usually comes from the palate; sometimes material from certified tissue banks is used. Healing takes one to two weeks in most cases, according to Cleveland Clinic; complications are rare but can include infection, heavier bleeding or a graft that does not take.
The techniques for root coverage were compared in a Cochrane review of 2018 (Chambrone and colleagues). It evaluated 48 randomised controlled trials: connective-tissue grafts from the palate, flap techniques in which the gum is moved over the root, and combinations with various materials are possible procedures. Where both root coverage and a wider band of firmly attached gum were wanted, the connective-tissue graft showed a slight advantage. The authors rated the certainty of the evidence as low to very low, however, and data on patients’ satisfaction with the appearance were limited.
Whether a graft is necessary and suitable for you depends on the extent of the recession, the thickness of the gum and whether any periodontitis is under control; this is decided at the examination.
How can you prevent gum recession?
A hereditary tendency cannot be changed; periodontitis, brushing too hard and tobacco, on the other hand, are linked to habits. The NHS, Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic recommend:
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, without pressure.
- Spit after brushing, do not rinse with water.
- Clean between the teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes; Mayo Clinic says at least once a day.
- Do not smoke; the European Federation of Periodontology calls smoking a major risk factor that can worsen gum disease and affect the health of dental implants, and notes that quitting leads to better healing after gum treatment.
- Attend check-ups and cleanings at the recommended intervals; Cleveland Clinic often mentions six months, and Mayo Clinic advises professional cleanings every 6 to 12 months, or more often if you have risk factors.
What does this mean for implants or crowns in Türkiye?
Gum recession itself is not a reason to travel; the cause can be clarified by a dentist near you. The topic becomes important when you are planning implants or crowns: active periodontitis should be under control before such treatment, because according to the BSP treating the gum disease comes before any root coverage. Why this matters for implants is explained in our guides on gum disease and dental implants and gum grafting around implants. With crowns, recession can make the crown margin visible; see our guide on sensitive teeth after crowns.
At the examination at our clinic in Serdivan, the gums, the gum line, tartar, sensitive teeth, fillings and crowns are assessed, with X-rays where needed. If the bone needs closer assessment, a cone-beam CT (CBCT) is available. The clinic also has a device that removes deposits and surface staining with a mixture of air, water and fine powder; whether it is used is decided by your dentist after the examination.
Before treatment starts, you receive a written treatment and cost plan, and you know from the beginning who will treat you. You can send photos of your gums and any existing X-rays on WhatsApp to +90 532 363 49 54 for a preliminary assessment; what you should know about treatment here is summarised on our page on dental treatment in Turkey.