Receding Gums
Gum pulling away from teeth, with several causes and management paths.
What it means
Understanding receding gums
Gum recession is where the gum margin pulls back from the tooth, exposing more of the tooth and sometimes the root surface beneath. It can affect a single tooth or several, and often develops so gradually that it goes unnoticed until a tooth starts to look longer or becomes sensitive. Once gum tissue has receded, it does not grow back on its own.
Recession has several possible causes, from over-vigorous brushing to gum disease or the position of a tooth, and identifying the cause is essential to stopping it progressing. Exposed root surfaces are also softer than enamel and more prone to sensitivity and decay, so protecting them matters.
A GDC-registered dentist will assess the pattern and cause of your recession and recommend how best to stabilise it and protect the affected teeth.
Common causes of receding gums
Several factors can contribute to receding gums. Being aware of them can help — though only an examination can confirm what applies to you. Common contributing factors include:
- Brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled brush
- Gum disease affecting the supporting tissues
- Grinding or clenching placing stress on the gums
- The natural position of a tooth outside the arch
- Ageing and long-term wear
- Piercings or habits that rub the gum
Signs and symptoms to look out for
Symptoms vary from person to person, and some can be subtle. You may notice one or more of the following:
- Teeth that look longer than before
- A visible step or notch near the gum line
- Sensitivity to hot, cold and sweet at the root
- Exposed, slightly yellower root surfaces
- Gaps appearing near the gum line
- Tenderness in the affected area
How we assess it at our Wimpole Street practice
Because the same symptoms can have different causes, an accurate diagnosis always comes first. At Wimpole Dental, a GDC-registered dentist will listen to your concerns, examine the area and — where clinically appropriate — take X-rays or other records to understand what is happening beneath the surface. Our practice is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and every clinician is registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
You will then have your options explained in plain English, with a written, itemised estimate before any treatment begins — and never any pressure to proceed. Flexible payment options may be available — ask at your consultation.
What to expect when you visit us
From your very first contact, our aim is to make dental care feel calm, clear and unhurried. A member of our reception team will help you find a time that suits you, including evening and weekend appointments, and if you are in pain we will do our best to see you the same day. You are welcome as a new patient, and there is no obligation to proceed with any treatment.
At your appointment, a GDC-registered dentist will take time to understand your concerns about receding gums, carry out a careful examination and, where clinically appropriate, take X-rays or other records. They will then explain what they have found and set out the suitable options — from doing nothing and monitoring, through to the treatments described above — so you can make an informed decision that is right for you.
If you feel anxious about visiting the dentist, you are far from alone, and we are experienced in caring for nervous patients. Please tell us how you feel when you book: we will move at your pace, explain each step before it happens, and focus on keeping you comfortable throughout. Our priority is honest, gentle care that puts your long-term health first.
Solutions & treatment options
The first step is finding and removing the cause — for example correcting brushing technique, treating gum disease, or managing grinding — so the recession is stabilised and does not continue. Exposed sensitive roots can be soothed with desensitising treatment or protected with tooth-coloured bonding.
Where a significant amount of gum has been lost, gum graft procedures can, in suitable cases, restore coverage and protect the root. Your dentist will explain whether this is appropriate for you and set out the options with a written estimate.
Acting early, while recession is mild, usually keeps management simple and helps prevent sensitivity and root decay.
The treatment we most often use
Receding Gums
Diagnosis and treatment of gum recession — non-surgical care first, with grafting options where needed.
Prevention & everyday care
While professional care is important, good daily habits make a real difference. The following steps can help:
- Use a soft-bristled brush and a gentle technique
- Avoid aggressive, scrubbing brushing
- Keep gums healthy with daily cleaning and regular hygiene visits
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
- Have tooth position and bite concerns assessed
- Report early signs of recession promptly
When to see a dentist
If this sounds familiar, it's worth having it assessed early — problems are almost always simpler to treat when caught sooner. A £30 consultation lets a GDC-registered dentist find the cause and explain your options in plain English, with no pressure to proceed.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Gum tissue does not regrow on its own once it has receded. Treatment focuses on stopping further recession by removing the cause and, where appropriate, restoring coverage with a gum graft. Protecting exposed roots also helps with sensitivity.
Root surfaces are not covered by protective enamel, so temperature and sweet triggers reach the nerve more easily. Desensitising treatments and bonding to cover the exposed root can help, alongside addressing the cause of the recession.
Not always. Recession can be caused by over-vigorous brushing, tooth position or grinding as well as gum disease. Identifying the specific cause is important, as it guides how best to stop the recession progressing.
No. This page is general education to help you understand a common concern. It is not a diagnosis, and the same symptoms can have different causes. Only an in-person examination by a GDC-registered dentist can confirm what is happening and what, if anything, needs treating.
You will always receive a written, itemised quote before any treatment begins. New patients start with a £30 consultation; flexible payment options may be available — ask at your consultation.
That is very common and completely understood. Our team is experienced in caring for anxious patients: your dentist will explain everything in plain English, work at your pace and never pressure you to proceed. Let us know how you feel when you book so we can make your visit as calm and comfortable as possible.
Yes. Wimpole Dental is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and every clinician is registered with the General Dental Council (GDC), with numbers you can verify on the public register. Our marketing follows advertising standards guidance for healthcare, and we never guarantee outcomes.
You can book online, request a call back, or call us on 020 7183 0692. New patients are welcome, and we offer evening and weekend appointments as well as same-day emergency slots where possible.
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22 Wimpole St, London W1G 8GQ · CQC regulated · GDC-registered clinicians