Gum Recession: Causes and Tips on How to Prevent It Now

Gum recession is more than just a cosmetic issue. It’s a serious dental condition that, left untreated, can lead to tooth decay and loss. Unfortunately, receding gums don’t fix themselves, and they don’t grow back. This article focuses on the causes of gum recession and early warning signs you can look for to catch it early. If you’ve been diagnosed with receding gums, or are interested in learning more, keep reading. Plus, we’ll give you some actionable tips to help prevent it.

Early signs you shouldn’t ignore

Catching problems early often means simpler care. Watch for these early signs of gum recession:

The Causes of Gum Recession

Gums recede when the tissue migrates downward (or upward on upper teeth). This shifting tissue can expose roots and often occurs in conjunction with the loss of supporting bone. Here are some of the causes of gum recession.

1) Aggressive Tooth Brushing and Abrasive Products

Of all the causes of gum recession, this is the saddest. That’s because this cause can be avoided. Aggressive tooth brushing can damage enamel at the gumline and traumatize gum tissue. Toothbrushes with hard bristles are especially damaging to teeth. Always use soft-bristle brushes, light pressure, and small, circular motions at a 45-degree angle to the gumline.

Additionally, whitening or abrasive pastes can help damage teeth and their surrounding gum tissue. The RDA, or Relative Dentin Abrasion value, measures toothpaste abrasiveness. Unfortunately, finding the RDA for your favorite toothpaste can be challenging. Most RDA values aren’t printed on toothpaste packaging. Therefore, you have to dig a little to find it. A Google search for the most abrasive toothpastes returns charts published by several dental clinics and Reddit. They vary slightly in layout, and not all include all brands. Just click on a few to find the one you like that includes the brand you use.

2) Inflammation, Gingivitis, and Periodontitis

Gum tissue inflammation is a major driver of recession. Plaque builds up below the gum line and causes the inflammation. When this happens, two common periodontal conditions can occur.

Gingivitis

Gums suffering from gingivitis often bleed easily, but bone tissue has not begun to decay. Deep cleaning can sometimes remove the plaque and calm the inflammation.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a deeper infection with attachment and bone loss and gum pockets. Recession often follows. There are two treatment options for this condition: traditional gum grafting and pinhole gum surgery. To learn more about these treatment options, please read our blog post “Pinhole Gum Surgery or a Gum Graft: Which is Best for You?”

A skilled dental hygienist or dentist should check for these conditions as part of routine teeth cleaning and maintenance.

3) The Role of Genetics and Misalignment in Gum Recession

Genetics can play a role in gum recession. Some people naturally have thin gums or a bony contour that provides less support. Others have a low inflammatory response. If you’re one of these people, there is nothing you can do about it. That’s how you were born. Additionally, crooked, crowded, and rotated teeth cause the roots to be out of alignment and misplaced in your jawbone. Plus, roots positioned toward the lip can predispose to recession even with good hygiene.

4) Orthodontics and Gum Recession

Orthodontics can be linked to gum recession when teeth are moved outside the bone housing or when inflammation is present during treatment. Orthodontics is often safe and beneficial—but it needs careful planning, excellent hygiene, and sometimes gum augmentation in thin-tissue cases. Therefore, choosing an experienced orthodontist or getting a referral from your dentist is an important step in any successful orthodontic treatment.

5) Teeth grinding and gum recession (plus clenching)

Teeth grinding doesn’t “cause” recession in the same way plaque does, but heavy forces can contribute to gumline wear, micro-mobility, and gumline defects—especially when combined with brushing trauma or thin tissue. Fortunately, custom mouth guards can prevent teeth grinding and gumline wear and tear. To learn more, please read our blog, “Mouthguards: Protect Your Teeth and Face in Sports and at Night.”

6) Tobacco and Vaping

If you need another reason to quit smoking, vaping, or the use of any nicotine product, here you go. Nicotine products reduce blood flow and mask bleeding, allowing gum recession to progress quietly. The early warning signs are not detected, and often smokers don’t know there is a problem until periodontitis rears its ugly head.

7) Oral Piercings

What may have started as a fashion statement could cause unintended consequences. Oral piercings, including any metal hardware attached to the cheeks or tongue, or near the lips, can cause inflammation when the metal contacts nearby gum tissue.

As recently as 2025, a published statement from the American Dental Association advised against oral piercings and jewelry. “Complications associated with oral piercing include: swelling, bleeding, infection, chipped or damaged teeth, gingival recession, lacerations/scarring, and airway obstruction.” The ADA goes on to say, “(They) advise against the practices of cosmetic intraoral/perioral piercing and tongue splitting, and view these as invasive procedures with negative health consequences that outweigh any potential benefit.”

8) Dry Mouth from Prescription Medication

Dry mouth increases plaque risk, making recession more likely. There are several causes of dry mouth, including mouth breathing, but one of the most prevalent causes is prescription medication. There are literally hundreds of medications that list dry mouth as a side effect. An article published by AARP stated the most common culprits are those that affect the central nervous system. And among the most widely prescribed are anxiety medications like Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac, and Xanax.

In addition to anxiety medications, those commonly prescribed for urinary incontinence and  Parkinson’s disease list dry mouth as a potential side effect. ACE inhibitors, found in many blood pressure and heart medications, such as Prinivil, Zestril, Innovace, and Lotensin, can cause dry mouth. Also on the list are beta blockers such as Lopressor and Toprol XL, as well as diuretics. Taking any of these medications can cause dry mouth, greater plaque risk, and gum recession.

It’s important to check the documentation that accompanies any medication you take, and discuss potential side effects with your doctor. Sometimes, there are alternatives available that are effective without endangering your oral health.

How to Prevent Gum Recession: a Practical Daily Plan

If you want to prevent gum recession, focus on three pillars: gentle cleaning, inflammation control, and force management.

1. Gentle Cleaning

It’s all about brushing, toothpaste, and cleaning between your teeth.

Gentle Brushing

A common question is whether to use an electric or manual toothbrush for your gums. Either can work, but many people do better with an electric brush that has a pressure sensor and a soft head. Regardless of the brush you choose, be sure to follow these rules:

Gentle Toothpaste

 Look for a low-abrasive fluoride toothpaste; for sensitivity, choose potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride. If you’re prone to plaque and gingivitis, stannous fluoride can help.

Clean Between Teeth

String or water floss once daily. Also consider getting a set of interdental brushes. Interdental brushes are custom-sized and provided by a dental professional. They can clean more effectively than floss alone.

2. Inflammation Control

If your dentist finds pockets in your gums, they may recommend a deep cleaning treatment. This can include scaling below the gumline and root planing. Together, scaling and planing remove infected tissue, bacteria, and hardened tartar. Deep cleaning of gum pockets is one of the most effective ways to reduce inflammation and slow recession linked to periodontal disease.

3. Force Management

Don’t be so hard on yourself! If you clench or grind your teeth, follow your dentist’s advice and get fitted for a custom night guard. Avoid chewing ice, unpopped corn kernels, and hard nuts or candies.

Conclusion to the Causes of Gum Recession and How to Prevent It

Gum recession is a serious dental condition that, if left untreated, can cause tooth sensitivity, decay, and eventual tooth loss. There are several causes of gum recession. Poor oral hygiene and bad brushing techniques can cause recession. Oral piercings, tobacco use, and clenching or grinding teeth don’t help. Additionally, genetics can play a role in gum recession, and prescription medications can have side effects that increase plaque and the risk of gum recession. Fortunately, there are ways to safeguard your smile from gum recession. These safeguards focus on gentle cleaning, inflammation control, and force management. Dr. Hilary Dalton is a board-certified periodontist in Tampa. Her practice, Dalton Dental, helps patients suffering from gum recession and offers treatment options to slow the pace of recession, restore bone loss, and a minimally invasive surgical procedure to renew healthy, sparkling smiles.

About Dalton Dental

Dalton Dental is a full-service dental practice in South Tampa. Dr. Hilary Dalton has over 20 years of experience treating gum conditions, transforming smiles, and reviving her patients’ confidence. We have an in-house dental savings plan to make every trip to our offices more affordable. Learn more about us, our dental services, and take an office tour. Also, check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews and the galleries of smiles from the best dentist in South Tampa, Dalton Dental.