Receding gums? Here's what you need to know

You take care of your teeth. You brush and floss, and see your dentist for regular cleanings. You haven't had a cavity in years.

Then, at your last visit, your dentist mentioned that the gum tissue around a couple of your teeth had receded. Sure enough, when she gave you a mirror, you could see what she was talking about. The pink tissue above your front teeth was higher than the gum tissue around the surrounding teeth. What happened?

Why do gums recede?

It isn't exactly clear what makes gums recede. But the condition is common, and it increases with age. According to some estimates, about half of adults older than 50 have at least one tooth affected by gum recession.

But aging alone doesn't offer a full explanation — and being older doesn't automatically mean you'll have gum recession. Instead, experts say gum recession is likely caused by a combination of factors:

• Genetic (inherited) factors. Much like hair and eye color, the thickness of gum tissue is an inherited trait. Some people are simply born with thinner gum tissue than others. The way teeth are positioned and a person's bone structure also may lead to gum recession.
• Brushing teeth too hard. This may damage gum tissue over time and lead to recession.
• Certain dental procedures. Preparing a tooth for a crown, for example, or wearing partial dentures that don't fit right can cause gum recession.

Are your gums receding?

It can be hard to tell if your gums are receding. That's because gum recession often doesn't cause obvious symptoms. However, you may notice:

• "Long" teeth. Some of your teeth may seem longer than others, making your gumline look uneven.
• Increased sensitivity. It may be painful to eat and drink hot or cold foods and beverages. Even cold air may cause discomfort.
• Pain when flossing or brushing. If a receded gum exposes your tooth's root, it can hurt when brushing or flossing near the root surface.

What can you do?

To help prevent further recession and reduce sensitivity, consider this advice:

• Brush gently. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Gently move the brush in circular motions or at a 45-degree angle to the teeth, rather than straight up and down or across. Some people find that using an electric toothbrush helps.
• Take care of sensitive teeth. If your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold, use a desensitizing toothpaste or rinse for sensitive teeth. A professional fluoride treatment also may decrease sensitivity.
• Remove plaque and tartar. To improve your gum health, your dentist may use a procedure called scaling and root planing to remove excess plaque and tartar. Combined with good oral hygiene, this may help control gum recession.
• Adjust your partial dentures. Ill-fitting partial dentures can lead to gum recession. Have yours adjusted, or get new ones that fit properly.

Is gum surgery necessary?

Gum recession doesn't usually cause serious problems. In most cases, it can be managed without surgery. However, if you're bothered by how your gumline looks or by increased sensitivity, you might consider a "gum graft."

A gum graft is a kind of microsurgery. Soft tissue is taken from another part of your mouth — often the roof of your mouth (palate) — or another source and fixed to the area that needs coverage.

There are different ways to do soft tissue grafting. The method chosen depends on several factors, like the amount of gum tissue you need and how many teeth are affected.

Talk to your dentist about what options may be available to you.