If you look at your teeth and see a tooth that looks longer than the other teeth surrounding it, you may be experiencing gum recession. The tooth may appear yellow in color because the cementum which covers the root is exposed making the tooth look unsightly and even cause some discomfort.
Gum disease is a major cause of gum recession. However, recession can happen even in a healthy mouth especially in people who have thin gum tissue. The type of gum tissue, thick or thin, is determined by genetics. Thin gum tissue recedes more easily since it is more vulnerable to wear and tear especially as we age. Thick gum tissue is more robust and less likely to be damaged by trauma and inflammation. Severe gum recession can make it harder to smile, talk, and eat with confidence and comfort. Fortunately, there are effective ways to treat it.

In a healthy mouth, the gums form a tight band around the tooth’s enamel and are firmly attached to the root and surrounding bone. Gums act as a barrier to the harsh environment of the mouth. It prevents bacteria from infecting the bone and tooth roots. They are also the wear and tear tissue that gives protection during high stress functions like eating, chewing and brushing. The gum tissue to firmly attached to the teeth by tiny collagen fibers called gingival fibers. However, the bonds between the tooth and its surrounding bone and gum tissue can be disturbed by trauma, inflammation, and unfavorable tooth position. When the fibers holding the gums to the tooth detach or are compromised, gum tissue will start to recede away from the enamel and expose more of the tooth and root.

When the root surface is exposed, the tooth can become sensitive to hot and cold stimuli. The elongated appearance of the tooth and the slight color difference between the crown and root give the smile an unappealing look. In some cases, gaps shaped like black triangles can appear between the teeth (where the gum is missing). These triangles can become annoying food traps.
Poor oral hygiene is the major factor in gum disease but ironically overzealous hygiene habits can also cause problems. In fact, aggressively brushing your teeth in a sawing motion can wear away enamel, irritate the gum tissue and eventually lead to gum recession. Remember that good brushing should not hurt!! Use a soft bristle brush or an electric tooth brush with a gentle circular motion.

There are several other habits that can lead to gum recession. Use of chewing tobacco, picking at the gum line, pricking it with sharp objects in the mouth like oral piercings can cause damage to the gum resulting in recession.

Finally, gum recession may be caused by a tooth that has simply erupted in the wrong place (not in the center of the jaw’s bony ridge). When this occurs, some areas on the root may have inadequate bone support and consequently little or no gum tissue protection.

Every case of gingival recession is “slightly different”. It is important for the dentist to determine the underlying cause in order to treat the problem.
When periodontal disease is the cause of the recession, a non-surgical treatment of root planning and scaling can be performed to remove the sticky plaque and hardened calculus off the roots. By producing a smooth root surface and educating the patient on effective maintenance we can get reattachment of gums. When recession is confined to a small area on the tooth, a tooth-colored composite filling can improve the smile and decrease sensitivity. In some cases, expensive gingival recession may require a gingival graft or orthodontic tooth movement to place the tooth in a more ideal position. Your dentist can give you options for your existing recession problem.