Receding Gums: Causes, Treatment, and How to Stop It Getting Worse
Gum recession is when the gum tissue around a tooth pulls back or wears away, exposing more of the tooth and eventually its root. It often shows up as teeth that look longer, a small notch near the gum line, or new sensitivity to hot and cold.
Dr. Kyle Lesko
The quick version
Gum recession is the gradual loss of gum tissue that normally hugs each tooth, which exposes more of the tooth and sometimes the softer root beneath.
Gums recede for several reasons, and often more than one is at play.
No, gum tissue that has receded does not grow back on its own.
Treatment for gum recession depends on how far it has progressed and what is causing it.
Gum recession is when the gum tissue around a tooth pulls back or wears away, exposing more of the tooth and eventually its root. It often shows up as teeth that look longer, a small notch near the gum line, or new sensitivity to hot and cold. It usually happens gradually, so many people miss the early changes.
In our Leduc office, gum recession is one of the questions we hear most, and it usually starts the same way. A patient notices one tooth looking a little longer in the mirror, or a cold drink suddenly stings, and they wonder if they have done something wrong. Dr. Kyle Lesko, who earned his BSc and DDS at the University of Alberta, tends to answer the same way each time: recession is common, it is rarely anyone's fault alone, and the earlier we look at it together, the more we can do. Below, we walk through what recession looks like, what causes it, whether gums can grow back, how it is treated, and how to protect what you have.
What is gum recession and what does it look like?
Gum recession is the gradual loss of gum tissue that normally hugs each tooth, which exposes more of the tooth and sometimes the softer root beneath. You might notice teeth that suddenly look longer, a darker or yellowish patch near the gum line, or a small step where the gum used to sit higher.
Because recession creeps in slowly, the earliest signs are easy to overlook. The patients we treat for this usually notice it in one of two ways: a tooth becomes sensitive, or they feel a little ridge with their tongue or toothbrush along the gum line. Others spot it in the mirror when one tooth starts to look longer than its neighbours. None of these mean the worst, but they are your cue to have someone measure the gum line properly.
Signs worth paying attention to
A few changes tend to point toward receding gums. None of these confirm a problem on their own, but together they are worth mentioning at your next visit.
Teeth that look longer than they used to
A notch or groove you can feel near the gum line
New sensitivity to cold, heat, or sweet foods
Exposed root surfaces that look darker or more yellow
Gums that look thin, red, or slightly pulled away from a tooth
What causes gums to recede?
Gums recede for several reasons, and often more than one is at play. The common causes are gum disease, brushing too hard or with a stiff brush, grinding and clenching, and simple genetics that give some people naturally thin gum tissue. Smoking, poorly positioned teeth, and past orthodontic movement can add to the picture too.
Gum disease is one of the more common drivers, because inflammation slowly breaks down the tissue and bone that support each tooth. If your gums bleed, feel tender, or look puffy, it is worth learning the early signs of gum disease so you can act before recession sets in. In our Leduc office we often see the other frequent culprit too: aggressive brushing. Many people who scrub hard with a firm brush are trying to do the right thing, yet that daily pressure wears the delicate gum edge away over the years.
Habits and factors that add up
Recession is usually the result of small pressures repeated over years rather than one single event. Recognizing your own contributors makes it easier to change course.
Brushing hard or using a medium or firm toothbrush
Untreated gum disease and long-term plaque build-up
Grinding or clenching that stresses the gum line
Smoking or other tobacco use
Naturally thin gums or teeth that sit outside the arch
Can receding gums grow back?
No, gum tissue that has receded does not grow back on its own. Once the gum has pulled away and the tissue is lost, it will not regenerate naturally the way skin does. This is why catching recession early matters so much, since the realistic goal is to stop it from getting worse rather than to reverse it.
That honest limit is not the whole story, though. While gums will not regrow by themselves, there are treatments that can cover exposed roots or add tissue back where it is needed. Just as important, addressing the cause can halt the process, so the recession you have now does not keep advancing year after year. We would rather tell you the plain truth up front than promise a reversal that gum tissue simply cannot deliver.
How do dentists treat gum recession?
Treatment for gum recession depends on how far it has progressed and what is causing it. Mild recession is often managed by removing its cause and protecting the exposed area, while more advanced cases may need a gum graft, where tissue is added to cover the root. The first step is always a careful exam to find the driver.
For milder recession, the plan usually starts with the basics. A professional cleaning to control gum disease, a switch to a soft brush and gentler technique, and a night guard for grinding can each remove the pressure that caused the problem. If sensitivity is bothering you, treatments and toothpastes can calm it, and it helps to understand what causes tooth sensitivity in the first place.
Options your dentist may discuss
The right approach is matched to your gums, not chosen from a menu. Here is how we handle this at TLC: Dr. Lesko talks through what each option involves, including its limits, before anything is decided.
Deep cleaning to treat underlying gum disease
A custom night guard if grinding is a factor
Desensitizing treatment or bonding to cover an exposed root
A gum graft for advanced recession, often with a specialist
Guidance on gentler brushing and daily care
Because so much of our care happens under one roof, the cleaning, the night guard, and the follow-up checks can be handled and tracked in the same place over time. If you feel anxious about any of these steps, that is completely normal and should never keep you from asking questions. For patients who feel uneasy, TLC Family Dental Centre offers oral sedation as a gentle comfort option to help you relax during treatment.
How do you stop gum recession from getting worse?
You stop gum recession from getting worse by removing whatever is causing it and protecting the gum line every day. That usually means brushing gently with a soft brush, treating any gum disease, easing grinding with a night guard, and keeping up with regular cleanings so problems are caught while they are still small.
The most powerful step is often the simplest: change how you brush. Let the bristles do the work with light, short strokes rather than hard scrubbing, and hold the brush at a gentle angle to the gum line. Flossing daily and quitting tobacco both protect the tissue, and routine check-ups let Dr. Lesko measure your gums over time and flag any change early. That measuring, visit after visit, is really the heart of it, because a millimetre of movement is easy to catch when the same office has been watching your gum line.
Daily habits that protect your gums
Small, consistent habits do more for your gums than any single treatment. Most of these are easy to fold into a routine you already have.
Use a soft-bristled brush and a light touch
Angle the brush gently toward the gum line, without scrubbing
Floss or clean between teeth once a day
Wear a night guard if you grind or clench
Keep regular cleanings and check-ups so changes are caught early
When should you see a dentist about receding gums?
See a dentist if you notice teeth looking longer, new sensitivity, a visible notch at the gum line, or gums that bleed and look pulled back. Because recession does not reverse on its own, an earlier visit gives you more options and a better chance to stop it before it reaches the root.
You do not need to wait for pain to book an appointment. Recession is often painless in its early stages, so the visible changes are your most useful warning. During an exam, Dr. Lesko can measure how much gum has been lost, look for the cause, and explain whether simple daily changes are enough or whether a more involved treatment is worth considering.
Come in soon, or safe to watch a little longer?
One question we hear a lot is whether recession is an emergency. Usually it is not, but a few signs mean you should not sit on it. Here is a simple way to think about it before your next visit.
Book soon if a tooth is newly loose, aching, or very sensitive, or if the gum bleeds and looks pulled back around it
Book soon if you can see the darker root surface or a notch that seems to be getting deeper
Safe to watch and mention at your next cleaning if a tooth looks slightly longer but there is no pain, bleeding, or spreading sensitivity
Manage at home meanwhile by switching to a soft brush and a lighter touch, and easing off any hard scrubbing
This is general information, not a personal diagnosis. Every mouth is different, and the only way to know what is happening with your gums is an in-person look with someone who can study your gum line and history together. To keep that visit simple, we bill the Canadian Dental Care Plan and other insurers directly, so coverage is one less thing to sort out before you come in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can receding gums grow back?
No, gum tissue that has receded does not grow back on its own. Once the gum pulls away, it will not regenerate naturally, which is why early action matters so much. The realistic goal is to stop further recession, though grafts can cover exposed roots and add tissue where it is needed.
What causes gums to recede?
Gums recede for several reasons, often more than one at once. Common causes include gum disease, brushing too hard or with a stiff brush, grinding and clenching, smoking, and naturally thin gum tissue. Teeth that sit outside the arch can add to it. Finding your own contributors is the first step to slowing the change.
Is gum recession serious?
Gum recession can be serious if it is ignored, because it exposes the softer root and can lead to sensitivity, decay, and further gum and bone loss. Caught early, though, it is very manageable. That is why any teeth that look longer or feel newly sensitive are worth mentioning at your next visit.
How do you stop gum recession from getting worse?
You stop recession from getting worse by removing its cause and protecting the gum line daily. Brush gently with a soft brush, treat any gum disease, wear a night guard if you grind, and keep regular cleanings. These simple, consistent habits do more to protect your gums than any single treatment.
Talk it through with Dr. Kyle Lesko in Leduc
If receding gums or new sensitivity have been on your mind, the team at TLC Family Dental Centre in Leduc is here to help. Book your appointment online or call us at 780.980.5115, and Dr. Kyle Lesko will look at your gum line in person and walk you through what is realistic for your smile. You will find our office at 5209 Discovery Way #4 in Leduc, and we welcome patients from Leduc and across the greater Edmonton area.
About
Featured Posts
Explore Topics
