The most common signs of receding gums are tooth sensitivity, teeth that look longer than they used to, and a notch you can feel near the gum line. Receding gums pull back from the tooth and expose the root. A dentist can measure the change and explain your periodontal treatment options.
By Dr. Eric Lernor, DDS, Family Dentist, Lernor Family Dental
What are the signs of receding gums?
Gum recession (the gum edge pulling back and exposing more of the tooth) rarely hurts at first, so the early signs are easy to miss. Stage 1 is usually mild. One or two teeth look slightly longer, or a cold drink stings a single spot. Here is what to watch for.
| Sign | What you may notice | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth sensitivity | A sharp zing with cold drinks, air or brushing | The exposed tooth root has no enamel shield |
| Longer-looking teeth | One tooth looks taller than its neighbors | Gum tissue has moved away from the crown |
| A notch at the gum line | Your fingernail catches on a ridge or dip | Root surface is softer than enamel and wears faster |
| Red, swollen or bleeding gums | Pink gums turn red, or bleed when you floss | May point to gum disease |
| Loose teeth or a shifting bite | A tooth feels wobbly or your bite feels different | Can signal advanced periodontal disease |
| Bad breath that will not clear | A taste that stays after brushing | Bacteria may be collecting along the gum line |
Many people notice only one or two of these. A single symptom does not tell you the cause, and only a dentist can say what is behind it.
Are my gums receding or am I paranoid?
Look in a bright mirror and compare the same tooth on both sides of your mouth. Gums receding on one side only, a yellowish band near the gum line, or a ridge you can feel with a fingernail all deserve a closer look. Healthy gum tissue is usually pink, firm and covers the tooth in an even curve.
Checking every morning can make you second-guess yourself. Snap a photo every few months instead and compare. A dentist can then measure what a mirror cannot.
How can I tell if I have gum recession or just long teeth?
Naturally long teeth keep the same gum height for years, with a smooth edge. Gum recession shows up as change: a tooth that looks longer than it did last year, a visible root that is darker and rougher than the crown, or sensitivity that is new. The crown is the part covered in white enamel. If you cannot tell which you have, a dentist can record the gum height in millimeters so you have a baseline to track.
What causes gum recession?
Several things can pull gum tissue back, and they often stack up. Your dentist decides which ones apply to you.
- Periodontal disease. Bacteria in plaque (the sticky film on teeth) and tartar (plaque that has hardened) inflame the gums and the bone beneath them. The American Academy of Periodontology lists gum disease among the common causes of recession.
- Clenching or grinding. Heavy pressure can cause notches at the gum line. If you grind, your dentist can discuss an occlusal guard, a custom night guard worn while you sleep.
- Irritation from appliances. A partial denture bar or braces can rub against gums and irritate them.
- Tobacco. The CDC lists smoking as a risk factor for gum disease.
- Thin gum tissue and genetics. Some people simply have thinner gums that recede more easily.
- A dry mouth. Saliva helps wash away bacteria, and Scottsdale's dry air can leave a mouth breather feeling parched overnight.
Does brushing too hard cause receding gums?
It can contribute. Scrubbing with a stiff toothbrush can wear gum tissue down over time, mostly at the gum line. Brushing in straight back-and-forth lines, or with frayed bristles, also misses plaque right where the tooth meets the gum. That lets bacteria settle in and keeps oral hygiene problems going.
A softer approach helps. Use a soft toothbrush, angle it toward the gum line, and make small gentle circles. The American Dental Association suggests replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles splay. Floss once a day to clean between teeth.
Can receding gums grow back?
Gums do not grow back once lost. Gum tissue that has pulled away does not regenerate on its own, and no home product is known to rebuild it. That sounds discouraging, but the useful goal is to keep the gum tissue you still have.
Stopping the cause often slows further loss: cleaning plaque thoroughly, easing grinding, and softening your brushing. Rebuilding lost tissue is specialist work. Lernor Family Dental refers gum graft surgery to a periodontist (a gum specialist), and we do not perform gum grafts in our office.
Receding gums treatment: what are the options?
Treatment depends on how far the recession has gone and what is driving it. Your dentist chooses among these after an exam.
- Home care changes. A soft toothbrush, better brushing technique, daily floss and a desensitizing toothpaste can calm sensitivity and keep plaque down.
- Fixing the trigger. That may mean a night guard for grinding, or adjusting an appliance that rubs the gums.
- Scaling and root planing. When gum disease is present, a deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar above and below the gum line (scaling), then smooths the tooth root surfaces (root planing) so bacteria have a harder time clinging. Home care coaching follows.
- Referral for surgery. A gum graft, which moves tissue to cover an exposed root, goes to a periodontist.
New patients pay $49 for an exam and x-rays as part of General Dentistry at our Scottsdale office, and during an exam our team measures your gum pockets and recession to check for periodontal disease. Treatments are never one size fits all, and the dentist decides what fits you.
What happens if receding gums go untreated?
Without attention, receding gums may keep moving. More tooth root shows, sensitivity tends to grow, and root surfaces are more prone to decay because they lack enamel. If gum disease is behind it, the gum disease can advance to periodontitis, a serious infection of the gums that can damage the bone holding your teeth. The CDC links severe periodontal disease with tooth loss.
Loose teeth are the late warning. Bone loss can leave a tooth wobbly, and in advanced cases tooth loss may follow. Catching gums receding early keeps more options open and healthy smiles in place longer.
When should I see a dentist for receding gums?
Book a visit soon if any of these show up:
- New sensitivity that does not fade
- Gums that bleed, swell or look red
- A notch or visible root you did not see before
- Teeth that feel loose or a bite that has shifted
Severe pain, facial swelling or a bad taste with swelling should not wait. Our practice has a 24 hour emergency line. Even without symptoms, regular exams matter for oral health because recession often develops quietly. Since 2003, our team has been checking gums at routine visits for Scottsdale families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is stage 1 of receding gums?
Stage 1 is the mildest form. The gum edge sits a little lower than it should, often on one or two teeth, and you may notice only a touch of sensitivity or a tooth that looks slightly longer. Many people feel nothing at all. A dentist can measure the change in millimeters at an exam, which gives you a baseline to compare against later.
At what age do gums begin to recede?
Gums can recede at any age, including in teens and young adults. Gum recession becomes more common as people get older, because years of brushing wear, plaque buildup and grinding add up. Age alone is not the cause, though. Habits, genetics, gum disease and the thickness of your gum tissue all play a part, and a dentist can look at which apply to you.
Will teeth fall out if gums recede?
Not by itself. Recession exposes the tooth root, but teeth are held in place by the bone beneath the gums. The risk rises when gum disease progresses into periodontitis and damages that bone, which can lead to loose teeth and eventually tooth loss. Loose teeth are a reason to book a dentist visit soon rather than wait.
What's the worst thing for receding gums?
Ignoring them is the biggest one, because plaque and tartar keep feeding gum disease while the gums keep pulling back. Hard scrubbing with a stiff toothbrush, tobacco use and skipping dental visits also work against your gums. Clenching and grinding can add pressure too, so mention it to your dentist if you wake up with a sore jaw.
How do I get rid of receding gums?
Lost gum tissue does not grow back, so the goal is to stop further loss and manage sensitivity. That usually means better oral hygiene, a soft toothbrush, a deep cleaning if gum disease is present, and addressing grinding or irritation from an appliance. Rebuilding gum tissue with a gum graft is done by a periodontist, and your dentist can refer you.
Get Your Gums Measured at Lernor Family Dental
If you have spotted any of these changes, a quick exam can tell you where your gums stand and what to do next. Book Appointment online to meet Dr. Lernor and the team in Scottsdale.