What Causes Gum Recession?

Gum recession happens when the gum tissue around a tooth pulls back and exposes more of the tooth. You might notice the tooth looks longer than it used to. Sometimes there’s sensitivity too, especially when you drink something cold.

Brushing Too Hard Can Affect Your Gums

Your toothbrush isn’t supposed to feel like a scrubbing brush. Brushing with too much pressure, especially with a hard-bristled toothbrush, can irritate and wear down gum tissue over time.

The tricky part is that aggressive brushing often feels like you’re doing a better job. You’re not. Your teeth don’t need to be attacked to get clean.

Gum Disease Is Another Big Cause

Plaque sitting along the gumline irritates the gums. If it isn’t removed properly, the inflammation can become more serious and affect the tissues that support your teeth. This is one of the main reasons gum recession shouldn’t be treated as purely a cosmetic issue.

Look out for gums that bleed during brushing. Swelling or tenderness matters too. Persistent bad breath can also show that something is going on below the surface.

Once gum disease damages supporting tissue, the gums don’t simply bounce back because you start brushing better.

Your Teeth and Bite Can Play a Part

Sometimes the problem is where a tooth sits. If a tooth is positioned outside the thicker part of the jawbone, there may be less gum tissue protecting it. Pressure from your bite can also put extra stress on certain areas.

Orthodontic treatment can occasionally be linked with recession when teeth are moved into positions where the surrounding gum tissue is thin. That doesn’t mean braces or aligners automatically cause recession. It means your gum health needs attention while teeth are being moved.

Thin Gums and Genetics

Some people naturally have thinner gum tissue. And if recession runs in your family, you may be more prone to it even with decent oral hygiene.

This is where people sometimes blame themselves unnecessarily. You can brush properly and still develop recession because your gum tissue isn’t built quite as thick as someone else’s.

Other Things That Can Irritate the Gums

• Grinding your teeth, particularly at night, puts repeated force on the teeth and supporting tissues.

• A naturally thin gumline can leave certain teeth with less protection, even when your brushing routine is solid.

• Smoking makes gum problems harder to manage, and honestly, it isn’t doing your gums any favours.

When Should You Get It Checked?

A little recession doesn’t always mean something serious is happening right now. But if the gumline is changing, a dentist should check why.

They can look for gum disease and measure the areas where the gums have pulled back. They’ll also check the tooth itself, because exposed roots are more vulnerable to sensitivity and decay.