Dental question about taxonomy:condition:receding-gums
Receding gums mean the gum margin has moved toward the root, exposing more tooth and sometimes causing sensitivity or a visibly longer tooth.
What does it mean when the gums recede?
Receding gums mean the gum margin has moved toward the root, exposing more tooth and sometimes causing sensitivity or a visibly longer tooth.
Why can an exposed root become sensitive?
The exposed root has cementum and dentin rather than protective enamel. Causes include gum inflammation, traumatic brushing, thin gum tissue, tooth position, and clenching forces.
What can you do to protect receding gums daily?
Use a soft brush with gentle pressure, clean between teeth daily, and avoid scrubbing horizontally at the gumline. A dentist can measure pocket depth, identify the cause, and treat inflammation.
When should bleeding or recession be assessed urgently?
Arrange care for bleeding, pus, loose teeth, rapid change, root sensitivity, or pain. Early assessment helps distinguish recession from gum swelling that has simply gone down.
What should you ask about active gum recession?
Ask whether the recession is active, how much supporting bone remains, and whether cleaning changes, desensitizing treatment, bite care, or gum grafting is appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Could this have more than one cause?
Causes include gum inflammation, traumatic brushing, thin gum tissue, tooth position, and clenching forces.
Can home care replace an examination?
A dentist can measure pocket depth, identify the cause, and treat inflammation.
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Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.