Receding gums: causes and options

If a gum seems to have moved back from one of your teeth, you may wonder whether brushing is to blame, whether it will carry on and whether it can be put right. Dental guidance describes gum recession as common. Only a dentist can tell you what is behind it in your own mouth.

What are receding gums?

The British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (BSP) says gums can recede, which means shrink back, and that this can leave the root of a tooth exposed. Dentists call it gingival recession. The BSP says it may be a sign of active gum disease, or a result of treatment for gum disease.

It is widespread. A 2025 systematic review pooled 22 observational studies of the general population. It estimated a prevalence of 81.1% for recession of at least 1 mm, 48.4% for at least 3 mm and 16.2% for at least 5 mm. So a small amount is very common, and larger amounts are less so.

What causes gums to recede?

There is often more than one possible cause. Guidance for dental teams from the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), second edition 2024, lists several. The BSP and a hospital patient leaflet name more.

Possible cause	What the sources say
Gum disease	The NHS lists shrinking gums among the things gum disease can lead to. SDCEP, the BSP and the hospital leaflet also name it.
Treatment for gum disease	The BSP lists receding gums following successful treatment for gum disease.
Cleaning too firmly	The BSP names incorrect cleaning, for example too firmly. SDCEP names toothbrushing trauma, and the hospital leaflet names aggressive brushing.
Orthodontic treatment	The BSP lists it after braces. SDCEP says it may follow orthodontic treatment, particularly widening the dental arch.
How the gum and tooth sit	SDCEP names a prominent tooth and thin gum tissue. The hospital leaflet adds the position of the tooth in the bone and the shape of the muscle and tissue nearby (frenal attachments).
Injury or piercings	SDCEP names trauma, including from piercings. The BSP says trauma can make gums shrink back and expose the root.
Earlier tooth loss	The hospital leaflet lists previous tooth loss.

The BSP, SDCEP and the hospital leaflet each list brushing as one cause among several. The 2025 review also found links between recession and smoking, alcohol, dental plaque, earlier treatment for gum disease and periodontitis, which is advanced gum disease that damages the tissues holding the teeth in place. It describes these as associations from observational studies.

If recession starts during orthodontic treatment, SDCEP’s guidance for dental teams is to stop treatment and seek advice about ongoing care. So it is worth mentioning to your orthodontist or dentist as soon as you notice it.

Our guides to gum disease and smoking and your mouth cover two of these in more detail.

Does recession need treatment?

For many patients, SDCEP says, recession causes no symptoms. Some people notice sensitivity, or dislike how it looks. Its guidance for dental teams is to find the cause with a periodontal examination, which looks for gum disease and other contributing factors, and to remove the cause where possible. Any sensitivity is managed, and the recession is monitored over time using dental charts, digital scans, photographs or study models of the teeth.

In most cases, more active management of the receded gum itself is not required. SDCEP calls surgery for recession complex and says it can be considered if there are specific concerns.

The sources we read do not say whether a particular gum will carry on receding. SDCEP’s approach is to remove the cause where possible, then monitor the gum to check that it stays stable in the longer term.

Where recession causes sensitivity, it can usually be managed by changing how you brush and using a suitable toothpaste, which your dentist can recommend. If that does not settle it, a dentist may consider applying a treatment in the surgery that blocks the exposed tiny channels in the dentine. Our guide to sensitive teeth goes into this further.

What can you do yourself?

None of the UK pages used here describes a brushing technique that prevents or reverses recession. What they give is general cleaning advice for keeping gums healthy.

• Clean every surface. The NHS advises brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about 2 minutes, cleaning every surface of every tooth. The government prevention toolkit adds that the gumline should be cleaned carefully.
• Choose a brush with care. The NHS says medium or soft bristles suit most people, and that electric and manual brushes are equally good if every surface is cleaned. The toolkit reports low-certainty evidence that medium and soft bristles are less likely than hard ones to cause gum lesions (areas of damage).
• Clean between your teeth every day. The NHS suggests floss, or interdental brushes that fit snugly. It advises against wooden toothpicks, which may damage your gums.
• Ask how you brush. SDCEP says that where recession is due to overzealous toothbrushing, dental teams can help a person develop an atraumatic technique, meaning one that does not injure the gum. The NHS says your dentist or hygienist can advise on cleaning between your teeth.
• Piercings. SDCEP advises dental teams to recommend removing piercings that are causing recession or could lead to it. If you have a lip or tongue piercing, your dentist can check it.
• If you smoke, the NHS lists not smoking among the ways to prevent gum disease. The NHS Better Health quit smoking pages have free tools and advice on getting support to stop.

Can lost gum tissue be replaced?

The BSP says gum disease must be treated before any procedure to replace or mask receded gums. It lists steadying gum health and regular maintenance with a dentist or hygienist as the starting point.

Replacing gum tissue. The BSP says that in some instances the lost tissue can be replaced using soft tissue grafting. A dentist takes a small piece of gum tissue from elsewhere in the mouth and uses it to cover the exposed roots. A local anaesthetic is applied first, and the stitches either dissolve or are removed later.

A hospital leaflet from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust gives more detail. It says a graft is recommended when recession has left thin gum tissue and an exposed root, or when there is a risk of root exposure. It says the procedure usually takes about an hour and that healing takes a few weeks to a few months.

The leaflet says benefits may include less sensitivity, easier cleaning at home and less risk of further recession. It also lists risks: bleeding, infection, swelling, an uneven gum line and the need for further surgery. It says some pain and discomfort afterwards is normal, and that swelling and bruising get better within the first 1 to 2 weeks. Afterwards it advises a soft toothbrush, used gently, and avoiding abrasive toothpastes.

Masking. The BSP says receding gums and gaps can also be made less obvious when you smile, with gingival veneers (false gums) or tooth-coloured fillings between the teeth.

Which of these suits you, if any, is a decision for you and your dentist after an examination.

When to see a dentist

Recession causes no symptoms for many patients, SDCEP says, so you may not notice it yourself. The NHS advises regular check-ups even if you have no problems, and says to see a dentist if you have not had one for 2 years (1 year if you are under 18).

To see a dentist in an emergency or out of hours, the NHS says to call your dentist first. If they are closed, an answerphone message may tell you what to do. If you do not have a dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment, call 111.

What we would do

A new patient exam is the first step. We examine your teeth, gums and soft tissues, take small X-rays where needed, and explain any follow-up in plain language.

A dental hygiene appointment starts with your hygienist checking your gum health, followed by a clean and scale and a polish. It includes advice on your own brushing and flossing routine.

Gum grafting and gingival veneers are not among the treatments we list. If we ever need to refer you to another practitioner, we explain this before the referral is made.

If a gum has moved back, or a tooth has become sensitive and you are not sure why, book an appointment and we can take a look together.

Want us to take a look?

Book an appointment at whichever of our five practices suits you. We will check what is going on and talk you through your options.

Book an appointment Read about our dental hygiene