Receding Gums: Causes, Treatment Options, and What Can Actually Help

Receding gums happen when gum tissue pulls away from a tooth, exposing more of the root beneath. They don’t grow back on their own — but the right treatment can stop the recession and, in many cases, restore what’s been lost.

What does gum recession actually look like?

Most people notice it in one of two ways: a tooth suddenly looks longer than it used to, or they feel a new sensitivity when drinking something cold. If you run your tongue along the base of a tooth and feel a slight notch where the gum meets the root surface, that notch is a telling sign.

Recession is sneaky. It usually happens slowly, over months or years, so there’s rarely one dramatic moment when you notice it. That gradual pace is also part of why people tend to dismiss it. By the time sensitivity or visible root surface shows up, some tissue has already been lost.

The American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy resource notes that gum disease — the main driver of recession — affects nearly half of adults over 30. Recession is one of its most visible consequences.

What causes receding gums?

There’s rarely a single cause. Usually, a few factors stack up together. Here are the most common ones:

• Gum disease (periodontitis). Bacteria accumulate below the gumline, triggering inflammation that slowly destroys the gum tissue and bone holding teeth in place. This is the leading cause of recession in adults.
• Brushing too hard or with a stiff-bristled brush. This surprises a lot of patients. Enthusiastic brushing sounds like a good thing — but scrubbing the gumline with too much force gradually wears the tissue away. A soft-bristled brush and a gentle circular motion protect the gum margin, not damage it.
• Genetics. Some people simply have thinner gum tissue than others, and that thinner tissue recedes more easily even with good oral hygiene. If a parent had recession, there’s a higher chance you will too.
• Misaligned teeth or bite problems. When certain teeth bear excessive force from chewing or grinding, the gum tissue over those roots gets extra stress. Over time, that stress can push the gum margin downward.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism). The same excessive force that cracks enamel can also traumatize gum tissue over time. Many patients who grind have some degree of recession.
• Tobacco use. Smoking and smokeless tobacco both impair circulation in gum tissue, making it more vulnerable to disease and slower to heal.
• Tongue or lip piercings. Metal jewelry that repeatedly contacts the gum margin can erode tissue in that specific spot — often in the front lower teeth.
• Orthodontic treatment. Moving teeth outside the natural arch (particularly in adult patients with thinner gum tissue) can occasionally contribute to recession. This is a reason careful planning matters before starting any tooth-movement treatment.

Can receding gums grow back on their own?

No. Once gum tissue is lost, it doesn’t regenerate the way skin might heal a small cut. The gum has no mechanism to regrow what’s been pulled away from the root.

This is the most important thing to understand clearly, because a lot of home-remedy content online implies otherwise. Oil pulling, vitamin C supplements, aloe vera rinses — none of these have clinical evidence showing they regrow lost gum tissue. They may support overall gum health as part of a good routine, but they can’t reverse existing recession.

What can happen: if recession was driven by inflammation and you bring that inflammation under control, tissue may appear slightly less swollen and the gumline may look a bit more even. But that’s resolving swelling, not regrowing tissue. The difference matters.

The honest answer is that the goal of treatment is to stop recession from progressing and, where possible, to surgically restore what’s been lost.

What are the treatment options for receding gums?

Treatment depends on how far the recession has progressed and what’s causing it. Here’s how our dental team at Vaksman Dental Group thinks about the progression:

Step one: Control what’s driving it

No treatment works long-term if the underlying cause is still active. That means addressing gum disease first, correcting brushing technique, treating grinding, or managing any other contributing factor before anything else.

Non-surgical treatment: scaling and root planing

For recession caused by gum disease, scaling and root planing in South San Francisco is typically the first clinical treatment. It’s a thorough deep cleaning that removes bacterial buildup from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces so bacteria are less likely to reattach. Many patients see their gum health stabilize significantly after this procedure.

This is non-surgical, done under local anesthetic, and usually completed in two appointments (treating one half of the mouth at a time). Results are real — but it can’t restore tissue that’s already gone. What it does is stop the disease from taking more.

Surgical option: gum graft

When recession is moderate to severe, a gum graft is the most proven way to restore lost tissue. A periodontist (gum specialist) typically performs this procedure. There are a few types:

• Connective tissue graft. The most common type. A small piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth (the palate) and placed over the exposed root. It heals into the area and provides coverage.
• Free gingival graft. Tissue taken directly from the palate surface, used when more bulk is needed.
• Pedicle graft. Tissue rotated from a gum area adjacent to the recession site — only possible when there’s enough healthy tissue nearby.
• AlloDerm (acellular dermal matrix). A processed donor tissue used in place of palate tissue, avoiding a second surgical site. Results are generally comparable, though outcomes can vary by patient.

Recovery takes a few weeks. The grafted tissue integrates with the surrounding gum and, when successful, both covers the root and thickens the remaining gum so future recession is less likely.

The Pinhole Surgical Technique

A newer approach where instead of removing graft tissue from the palate, the existing gum is loosened through a small pinhole and repositioned over the exposed root, then stabilized with collagen strips. Recovery is typically faster than a traditional graft. It’s a reasonable option for suitable candidates, but it’s not universally available and is most effective for mild to moderate recession.

Night guard for grinding-related recession

If teeth grinding is contributing, a custom dental mouth guard takes the excessive force off the teeth and gumline during sleep. It won’t restore lost tissue, but it’s often an essential protective step to prevent further recession after other treatment.

What’s the cost of gum recession treatment?

These are national ballpark ranges only — not our office’s prices, which vary by case. Always get a specific treatment plan and cost estimate at your appointment.

How do you slow or stop recession at home?

You can’t regrow what’s gone, but you can absolutely protect what’s left. These habits make a real difference:

• Switch to a soft-bristled brush. If you’re using medium or hard, stop today. Soft bristles clean just as well and don’t traumatize the gumline.
• Use gentle pressure. Let the bristles do the work. You don’t need force to remove plaque — plaque is soft.
• Floss daily. Flossing disrupts the bacterial colonies between teeth before they migrate below the gumline. It’s the single best thing you can do to prevent gum disease progression.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste for sensitivity. Exposed root surfaces don’t have enamel — they’re covered in cementum, which is more porous and sensitive. A sensitivity toothpaste with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride can help desensitize over time.
• Don’t skip regular cleanings. A professional dental cleaning removes tartar buildup that home brushing can’t touch — and catches recession early while options are widest.

When should you actually see a dentist about receding gums?

Honestly? As soon as you notice it. The earlier recession is caught, the more options are on the table and the less invasive treatment tends to be.

These are the signs that make it urgent:

• A tooth looks noticeably longer than its neighbors
• Sensitivity to cold, heat, or sweet foods along the gumline
• Bleeding when you brush or floss (especially if it’s been going on for more than two weeks)
• A visible dark line or notch near the base of a tooth
• Loose-feeling teeth (this suggests bone loss is involved and needs attention immediately)

If you’re in South San Francisco, San Bruno, Daly City, or the surrounding Peninsula area and you’ve noticed any of these, it’s worth getting an evaluation sooner rather than later. Early-stage recession treated with a deep cleaning is a very different situation from advanced recession that needs surgical intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is gum recession painful?

Not always. Many people have recession for years without pain. The most common symptom is sensitivity, particularly to cold drinks or sweet foods, because the exposed root surface lacks the protective enamel of the crown. Some people also notice a dull ache when they brush near affected areas. In advanced cases where the root is fully exposed, sensitivity can become significant.

Can I reverse receding gums naturally?

No. Lost gum tissue cannot grow back on its own, and there is no home remedy proven to reverse existing recession. Good home care — gentle brushing, daily flossing, and keeping gum disease under control — can slow or stop further recession, but it cannot restore tissue that has already pulled away from the root. A gum graft is currently the most effective way to restore lost coverage.

Does gum recession always need surgery?

Not always. Mild recession in otherwise healthy gums can often be managed non-surgically by removing the cause (disease, aggressive brushing, grinding) and maintaining excellent home care. Surgery becomes the recommended path when recession is more advanced, when the root is significantly exposed, when sensitivity is affecting daily life, or when the remaining gum tissue is too thin to stay stable without intervention. Your dentist or a periodontist can assess where you fall on that spectrum.

How long does recovery from a gum graft take?

Most patients feel reasonably normal within one to two weeks, though full tissue integration takes longer — usually two to three months before the treated area looks and functions like established gum. During the first week, a soft diet and avoiding the treated area while brushing are standard instructions. Your care team will give you specific guidance based on which type of graft was done.

Schedule an Evaluation at Vaksman Dental Group

Written by the Vaksman Dental Group team and medically reviewed by Dr. Irena Vaksman, DDS — South San Francisco. Last reviewed August 2026.