Gum recession is a common dental issue where the gum tissue surrounding the teeth pulls back, leading to the exposure of the tooth root surface. This process often causes heightened tooth sensitivity and increases the risk of root decay, as the exposed root is not protected by hard enamel. Understanding the factors that cause the gum line to recede is the first step toward effective management and treatment.
Identifying the Root Causes of Gum Recession
Gum recession is not typically caused by a single factor but is often the result of several contributing elements. One of the most common mechanical causes is aggressive or incorrect brushing technique, where excessive horizontal scrubbing with a hard-bristled toothbrush physically wears down the delicate gum tissue over time. This chronic trauma causes the gum margin to gradually migrate toward the tooth root.
The most significant biological cause is periodontal disease, a bacterial infection that destroys the supporting bone and soft tissue around the teeth. As plaque and tartar accumulate, the resulting inflammation leads to a loss of alveolar bone, and the gum tissue follows the bone level down, exposing the root surface. An individual’s genetic makeup can also play a role, as some people are simply predisposed to having naturally thin or fragile gum tissue, making them more susceptible to recession even with good oral hygiene.
Other factors that contribute include the use of tobacco products, which impairs blood flow and encourages the buildup of sticky bacterial plaque. Misaligned teeth or habits like bruxism, which is chronic teeth grinding or clenching, place excessive force on certain teeth, causing the surrounding gum tissue to pull away.
Daily Strategies for At-Home Management and Prevention
Stopping the progression of recession involves switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush and holding it with a light grip, focusing on a gentle, circular, or massaging motion rather than a harsh back-and-forth scrub. The toothbrush should be angled at about 45 degrees toward the gum line to ensure the bristles can effectively clean the area where the tooth meets the gum without causing trauma.
Product selection can help manage the symptoms and slow the condition. For individuals experiencing sensitivity due to exposed roots, using a desensitizing toothpaste can help block the small channels that lead to the tooth’s nerve. Daily interdental cleaning, using floss or small interdental brushes, is necessary to remove the plaque that causes inflammation between the teeth. Therapeutic mouthwashes, particularly those with antimicrobial properties, can be incorporated to help reduce the bacterial load.
Lifestyle modifications support gum health. Quitting tobacco use, including smoking and vaping, removes a major irritant and improves the healing capacity of the gum tissue. A diet rich in Vitamin C and other nutrients supports the body’s ability to maintain healthy connective tissue. Making these changes creates an oral environment conducive to stabilization and prevents further tissue loss.
Professional Interventions for Restoring Gum Lines
For cases where recession is linked to infection, the initial professional treatment is Scaling and Root Planing, a non-surgical deep cleaning procedure. This involves a dental professional removing hardened plaque (tartar or calculus) from both the tooth surface and below the gum line. The root surfaces are then smoothed to remove bacterial toxins, making it more difficult for new plaque to accumulate and encouraging the gums to reattach to the tooth.
When the exposed root requires physical coverage, dental bonding or tooth-colored fillings can be applied to the exposed root surface. This restorative procedure covers the dentin, reducing sensitivity and protecting the softer root structure from decay and abrasion. However, for significant recession, surgical solutions performed by a periodontist may be required to replace the lost gum tissue.
The most common surgical approach is a gum graft, which involves placing tissue over the exposed root. The Connective Tissue Graft is the most frequently performed type, where a flap is created on the palate to harvest tissue from beneath the surface, which is then placed over the receded area. A Free Gingival Graft uses tissue taken directly from the surface of the palate, often to increase the thickness of naturally thin gums. The Pedicle Graft uses adjacent gum tissue that is partially cut and repositioned over the exposed root while remaining attached at one end to maintain a blood supply.