Signs of receding gums
- teeth that look longer than they used to
- a twinge of sensitivity to cold drinks, sweets or brushing
- a yellowish root surface showing at the gum line
- a notch you can feel with your fingernail where tooth meets gum
- dark triangles opening between the front teeth
- in advanced gum disease, teeth that feel loose
Recession usually develops slowly over years, so it’s easy to miss until sensitivity starts. A gum check measures it, so changes can be tracked.
Why gums recede
| Cause | What helps |
|---|---|
| Gum disease (periodontitis) | Deep cleaning, then regular maintenance cleans |
| Brushing too hard or with a hard brush | A soft brush and a gentle technique, which we show you |
| Grinding and clenching | A night guard |
| Tobacco chewing and smoking | Stopping; we can help with a plan |
| Thin gums or teeth set forward in the bone | A gum graft to thicken the gum, especially before braces |
Gum grafts
A gum graft covers the exposed root, reduces sensitivity and thickens thin gum so it resists further recession.
- Assessment. Our periodontist measures the recession, checks the gum and bone between the teeth on X-ray, and tells you how much coverage is realistic.
- The graft. Under local anaesthetic, a thin piece of tissue, usually from the roof of the mouth, is placed over the exposed root and stitched into place. Where it suits, a graft material can be used instead of tissue from the palate.
- Healing. Stitches come out at one to two weeks. The graft blends with the surrounding gum over one to two months.
Several neighbouring teeth can often be treated in the same procedure.
Aftercare
- Eat soft, cool food and chew on the other side for the first week.
- Don’t brush the grafted area until told to; use the mouthwash you’re given.
- Don’t pull your lip to look at the graft, as this can loosen the stitches.
- Avoid smoking, which is the biggest reason grafts don’t take.
Risks
Soreness, swelling and some bleeding from the palate are common in the first days. Occasionally a graft doesn’t take fully and coverage is partial. The root can stay slightly sensitive for a few weeks. Your periodontist goes through your personal risks before you decide.
What affects the fee
How many teeth need treatment, whether tissue comes from the palate or a graft material is used, and whether gum disease treatment is needed first. You get the fee after the gum assessment.
Questions patients ask us
Can receding gums grow back?
Gum that has receded doesn't grow back on its own. Treatment stops it receding further, and a gum graft can often cover the exposed root again. How much can be covered depends on the gum and bone between the teeth.
What causes receding gums?
The commonest causes are gum disease and brushing too hard with a hard brush. Thin gums, teeth that sit forward in the bone, grinding, tobacco chewing, smoking, lip or tongue piercings and some orthodontic movements all add to the risk.
Can receding gums be fixed without surgery?
The cause can be treated without surgery, with deep cleaning for gum disease, a softer brushing technique and a night guard for grinding. Sensitivity on exposed roots can be eased with desensitising treatment or a tooth-coloured filling. Covering the root itself needs a gum graft.
Is gum graft surgery painful?
The area is numbed, so the procedure isn't painful. Afterwards both the grafted area and the palate, if tissue is taken from there, are sore for a few days. Ordinary painkillers and soft cool food help.
Can receding gums make teeth fall out?
Recession on its own rarely does. When it comes from gum disease that has destroyed bone, teeth can loosen. That's why the cause is found and treated first.
Do receding gums cause bad breath?
Not directly, but gum disease, a common cause of recession, does. Deep pockets trap bacteria that produce the smell. Treating the gum disease treats both.
Are home remedies enough for receding gums?
Oil pulling, salt water and herbal pastes can soothe the gums but can't reverse recession or remove tartar. A soft brush, a gentle technique and regular cleans protect the gums you have.
Sources
NHS: gum disease ↗ADA MouthHealthy: gum disease ↗Last updated 14 October 2026. This page explains options in general terms; your own plan comes from an examination.