Why Do Gums Recede?
Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue that normally covers and protects the tooth root shifts downward (on lower teeth) or upward (on upper teeth), leaving part of the root surface exposed. This exposed root can become sensitive to temperature and touch, and it is more vulnerable to decay than the enamel-covered crown of the tooth.
The causes of gum recession range from controllable habits like brushing technique to factors you cannot change, such as your genetic makeup. In many cases, multiple causes overlap. Understanding which factors apply to you helps your dentist or periodontist create the right treatment plan.
Common Causes of Gum Recession
Gum recession rarely has a single cause. Below are the most well-established factors, along with what you can do to reduce the risk from each one.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Gum disease is the leading cause of gum recession. When plaque and tartar build up along the gumline, bacteria trigger an inflammatory response. In the early stage (gingivitis), gums become red and swollen but no permanent damage has occurred. If left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, where the infection destroys gum tissue and the bone beneath it.
As bone and tissue are lost, the gums pull away from the teeth, forming pockets where more bacteria collect. This cycle accelerates further recession. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, nearly half of adults over 30 have some form of periodontal disease.[1] Early detection through regular dental visits is the most effective way to prevent gum disease from causing recession.
Aggressive Brushing
Brushing your teeth too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can physically wear away gum tissue over time. This type of recession often appears on the side of the mouth opposite your dominant hand, where brushing pressure tends to be greatest. The gum tissue may look healthy otherwise, with no redness or bleeding.
Prevention is straightforward: use a soft-bristled toothbrush and apply gentle pressure. Let the bristles do the work. An electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor can help if you tend to press too hard.
Genetics and Gum Tissue Type
Some people inherit thinner or more fragile gum tissue that is naturally more susceptible to recession. Research in the Journal of Periodontology has identified genetic factors that influence gum tissue thickness and the body's inflammatory response to bacterial plaque.[2] If your parents or siblings have experienced significant gum recession, you may be at higher risk even with good oral hygiene.
While you cannot change your genetics, knowing your risk level allows you and your periodontist to monitor your gums more closely and intervene early if recession begins.
Teeth Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism)
Grinding or clenching your teeth places excessive force on the gum tissue and the bone supporting your teeth. Over time, this force can cause both bone loss and gum recession, particularly on teeth that bear the heaviest load. Many people grind their teeth during sleep and are unaware of it until a dentist notices the signs: worn tooth surfaces, jaw soreness, or recession patterns that follow the bite.
A night guard (occlusal splint) prescribed by your dentist can protect your teeth and gums from the effects of grinding. Addressing stress and sleep quality may also help reduce bruxism.
Tobacco Use
Smoking and other forms of tobacco use are strongly linked to gum recession. Tobacco reduces blood flow to the gum tissue, impairs the immune response, and promotes the buildup of sticky plaque on teeth. Smokers are significantly more likely to develop periodontal disease and experience more severe recession than non-smokers.[3]
Quitting tobacco is one of the most impactful steps you can take for your gum health. After quitting, blood flow to the gums begins to improve, and the risk of further recession decreases over time.
Hormonal Changes
Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can make gum tissue more sensitive and more vulnerable to recession. Pregnancy gingivitis is a well-documented condition in which elevated progesterone levels cause gums to become inflamed and bleed more easily. While this inflammation is usually temporary, it can contribute to recession if gum disease develops.
Women experiencing hormonal shifts should pay extra attention to oral hygiene and keep up with dental visits during these periods.
Lip and Tongue Piercings
Metal jewelry in the lip or tongue can repeatedly rub against the gum tissue on the inside of the mouth. Over months and years, this friction wears away the gum tissue, often on the lower front teeth where piercings make the most contact. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that tongue piercings were associated with gum recession in over 35% of subjects who had them.[4]
If you have an oral piercing and notice your gums receding near the piercing site, discuss this with your dentist. Removing the jewelry is the most effective way to stop further damage.
Misaligned Teeth and Bite Problems
When teeth are crooked, crowded, or do not come together evenly, certain teeth absorb more force than they are designed to handle. This uneven pressure can damage the bone and gum tissue around those teeth, leading to localized recession. Teeth that are pushed out of alignment toward the cheek side (labially positioned) have thinner bone on that surface and are especially prone to recession.
Orthodontic treatment to correct alignment can help distribute forces more evenly. However, orthodontic movement itself can sometimes cause or worsen recession in patients with thin gum tissue, so monitoring by a periodontist during treatment is important.
Risk Factors That Increase Your Chances of Gum Recession
Beyond the direct causes listed above, certain risk factors make gum recession more likely or more severe.
- Age: Gum recession becomes more common with age. The CDC reports that over 70% of adults 65 and older have some form of periodontal disease.
- Poor oral hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing allows plaque to harden into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional.
- Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk and severity of gum disease, which in turn accelerates recession.
- Dry mouth: Reduced saliva flow, whether from medications, medical conditions, or mouth breathing, allows bacteria to thrive.
- Previous dental work: Ill-fitting partial dentures, old fillings near the gumline, or aggressive tooth preparation can damage nearby gum tissue.
How to Prevent Gum Recession
Many causes of gum recession are preventable or manageable with consistent habits and professional care.
- Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day. Angle the bristles at 45 degrees toward the gumline and use short, circular strokes.
- Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and gum assessments.
- Quit smoking or using tobacco products.
- Wear a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth.
- Address misaligned teeth with orthodontic treatment when recommended.
- Remove oral piercings that rub against the gums.
When to See a Periodontist for Gum Recession
Your general dentist can identify early gum recession during routine checkups. However, a periodontist is the specialist trained to determine the underlying cause and provide advanced treatment options.
See a periodontist if you notice your teeth looking longer than they used to, if you can feel a notch near the gumline with your tongue or fingernail, if you have persistent tooth sensitivity to hot or cold, or if your gums bleed regularly when brushing or flossing. A periodontist can perform a thorough evaluation, measure the extent of recession, and recommend treatments ranging from deep cleaning to gum graft surgery depending on the severity.
Early treatment is more predictable. Once gum tissue is lost, it does not grow back on its own. Gum grafting and other periodontal procedures can restore coverage, but the best outcomes happen before significant bone loss occurs. Visit our [periodontics specialty page](/specialties/periodontics) to learn more about how periodontists treat gum recession.
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