What does this mean?
As the gum recedes, the boundary between crown and root becomes visible. The surface below that line is covered by cementum rather than enamel: softer, quicker to wear and noticeably sensitive to hot and cold.
Recession is not always caused by disease. Brushing too hard is the single most common cause. But when recession comes with bleeding and odour, advanced gum disease should be looked for underneath.
The appearance is the same but the route differs: mechanical wear, or bone loss driven by inflammation.
Likely causes
What helps at home?
- Use a soft brush; a hard one does not clean better, it only wears more
- Move the brush in small circles from gum towards tooth, not back and forth
- Exposed root surface decays more readily; fluoride toothpaste matters even more here
- Recession with bleeding, odour or a loose tooth
- Recession that advances quickly over months
- A notch or colour change on the exposed root surface
Frequently asked questions
- Does receded gum grow back?
- Not on its own. In suitable cases it can be covered with a graft; the primary aim is to stop it advancing.
- Do electric brushes cause recession?
- Models with a pressure sensor are generally safer. The problem is not the brush but the force applied.
This content is for general information and does not replace an in-person examination. Symptoms overlap between conditions, and a diagnosis can only be made clinically.