What Causes Gum Recession? Every Cause Explained
📖 11 min read · Updated 03/10/2026
Quick Summary
✔ Gum recession is when the gum pulls back from the tooth and exposes the softer root underneath.
✔ The most common causes are brushing too hard, gum disease, teeth grinding, genetics, smoking and ageing.
✖ Receding gums do NOT grow back on their own — the goal is to stop them getting worse.
✔ Exposed roots are why many people with recession also get sensitivity to hot, cold and sweet.
Quick Answer
Gum recession is caused by anything that damages or wears down the gum and the bone that holds it in place. The biggest causes are brushing too hard, plaque and gum disease, teeth grinding, thin inherited gum tissue, smoking and simple ageing. Once the gum has receded it does not regrow by itself, so the real aim is to identify the cause and stop further loss.
What Gum Recession Actually Is
Gum recession is the gradual pulling back of the gum tissue from around a tooth, which exposes the root surface that is normally hidden and protected. The root is not covered by hard enamel like the crown of the tooth — it is covered by a much softer layer called cementum, which is why exposed roots feel sensitive and wear down faster.
Recession usually happens slowly over years, so most people notice the effects first: teeth that look longer, a notch or 'step' near the gumline, or a sudden twinge from cold water. By the time it is visible, the cause has often been at work for a long time. Understanding which cause applies to you is the first step to stopping it.
Cause 1 — Brushing Too Hard (The Number-One Avoidable Cause)
The single most common avoidable cause of gum recession is aggressive brushing — a hard-bristled brush, heavy pressure, and a fast back-and-forth scrubbing motion. Over years this physically wears the gum away and can carve wedge-shaped notches into the root. It is the classic reason recession appears on the cheek-side of the teeth, and often worse on the side opposite your writing hand.
The fix
Use a soft-bristled brush, hold it like a pen (not a fist), and brush gently at a 45-degree angle to the gumline rather than scrubbing straight across. If you flatten your bristles within a few weeks, you are pressing far too hard.
Cause 2 — Plaque and Gum Disease
When plaque is not fully removed it hardens into tartar along the gumline, and the bacteria in it irritate the gum. The gum responds with inflammation, and over time that inflammation can break down the fibres and bone that anchor the gum to the tooth — so the gum pulls away and recedes. This is why bleeding, swollen or tender gums and recession so often appear together.
If your gums bleed when you brush, that is the earliest warning sign to act on. We cover it in detail in our guide to what causes bleeding gums.
Cause 3 — Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Grinding or clenching (bruxism), often during sleep or stress, loads the teeth with far more force than normal chewing. That repeated stress is transmitted down to the gumline and the supporting bone, and over time it can contribute to the gum receding — frequently alongside tiny notches at the gumline and worn, flattened biting surfaces. Many people have no idea they grind until a dentist points out the signs.
Cause 4 — Genetics and Thin Gum Tissue
Some people are simply born with thinner, more delicate gum tissue and less bone covering the roots — a 'thin biotype'. Thin gums are much more easily worn down by the everyday causes above, which is why recession can run in families and why two people with identical brushing habits can end up very differently. You cannot change your biotype, but knowing you have thin gums is a strong reason to be extra gentle.
Cause 5 — Smoking and Vaping
Smoking is strongly linked to gum problems and recession. Tobacco reduces blood flow to the gums, which makes them less able to stay healthy and repair themselves, and smokers also tend to build up more tartar. Vaping is newer and less studied, but nicotine — however it is delivered — narrows the small blood vessels that feed the gums.
We look at this in more depth in smoking, vaping and your gums.
Gums that need a little extra care?
LACALUT AKTIV is the original German astringent gum-care toothpaste — it helps firm the gumline and reduce the plaque that irritates gums.
Explore LACALUT AKTIVCause 6 — Ageing and Hormonal Changes
Recession becomes more common with age — the phrase 'long in the tooth' exists for a reason. It is not that age itself causes it, but that decades of brushing, chewing and any low-level gum irritation add up. Hormonal shifts — during pregnancy, or menopause — can also make gum tissue more sensitive and reactive for a period of time.
Cause 7 — Misaligned Teeth, Piercings and Orthodontics
Teeth that are crowded or out of line can put uneven pressure on the gum in spots, encouraging recession in those areas. Lip and tongue piercings that constantly rub against the gum are a well-recognised mechanical cause. Rapid or heavy orthodontic movement can also contribute, which is one reason modern braces and aligners move teeth slowly.
Every Cause of Gum Recession, at a Glance
Can Receding Gums Grow Back?
No — this is the part people most want to be untrue. Once gum tissue has receded it does NOT grow back on its own, and no toothpaste or rinse can regrow lost gum. What you can do is stop the cause and halt further recession, and in some cases a dentist can cover an exposed root with a grafting procedure.
We spell out exactly what can and cannot be reversed in receding gums: what can actually be reversed.
How to Stop Gum Recession Getting Worse
Because recession does not reverse itself, prevention is everything. Switch to a soft brush and a gentle technique, control plaque along the gumline every day, deal with grinding, and see a dentist early if your gums bleed or you notice a tooth looking longer. The earlier you remove the cause, the more gum you keep.
For daily gum care, a dedicated astringent gum-care toothpaste such as LACALUT AKTIV helps firm the gumline and reduce the plaque that irritates gums. If your exposed roots have left you wincing at hot, cold or sweet, LACALUT SENSITIVE is built around hydroxyapatite to seal the exposed areas where sensitivity starts. If you are unsure which to choose, our guide to sensitive teeth versus receding gums and our pick of the best toothpaste for receding gums both help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute dental or medical advice. Consult a registered dental practitioner for assessment.
