Best manual toothbrush for receding gums

A soft, small-headed manual toothbrush with rounded bristles and gentle pressure is usually the best starting choice for receding gums.

Gum recession exposes part of the tooth root, where dentin is more sensitive and less protected than enamel. Choose a soft or extra-soft brush with rounded filaments and a compact head.

Use short, light strokes at the gumline instead of scrubbing. Brush with fluoride toothpaste, clean between teeth, and replace the brush when its filaments splay.

Arrange an examination if recession progresses, roots are sensitive, gums bleed or swell, or a tooth feels loose. A dentist can check periodontal attachment, brushing trauma, bite forces, and root decay.

Ask what is causing the recession, which bristle firmness and interdental method fit your mouth, and whether exposed-root sensitivity needs treatment.