Receding gums are one of those things that creep up on you. One day you notice that a tooth looks longer than it used to, or that the root is showing, or that a particular spot is suddenly sensitive to cold. The gum has been slowly retreating, and now you can see the result. At Dentist Pymble, we assess and treat gum recession for patients across the Ku-ring-gai region, and the right treatment depends almost entirely on the cause, the severity, and what the patient wants to achieve. This page covers what recession actually is, why gums recede, and the treatment options.

What is gum recession?

Gum recession is the loss of gum tissue along the margin of the tooth, exposing more of the tooth crown (and eventually the root) than is normally visible. In a healthy mouth, the gum sits about 1-2 millimetres above the cementoenamel junction (the line where the enamel of the crown meets the root surface). When the gum recedes, that margin moves down the root, exposing the underlying root surface.

The root surface is softer than enamel, more prone to decay, and more sensitive to temperature. It is also darker, so a receded gum line often shows up as a visible aesthetic change — particularly in the upper front teeth. The good news: recession is usually slow, treatable, and largely preventable once you understand what is causing it.

Why are my gums receding?

The most common cause is aggressive toothbrushing. Using a hard-bristled brush, scrubbing side to side, and applying too much pressure all wear away the gum over time. It feels like you are cleaning better, but the reality is the opposite — you are doing damage. Switching to a soft-bristled brush, using a gentle circular motion, and easing off the pressure usually stops the recession in its tracks.

Other common causes include gum disease (periodontitis) — the chronic inflammation destroys the supporting bone and the gum follows it down; tooth position — teeth that sit outside the arch (particularly lower front teeth and upper first molars) often have thin gum that is more prone to recession; smoking — affects the blood supply to the gum and accelerates tissue loss; clenching and grinding — puts excessive force on the teeth and the supporting structures; and orthodontic treatment — moving teeth too quickly or out of the bony envelope can cause recession in some cases. Sometimes the cause is a combination of several of these.

Can receding gums grow back?

No — once gum tissue has been lost, the body does not regenerate it naturally. The gum that has receded will not grow back on its own. This is why prevention is so important, and why early intervention (when the recession is mild) is so much more effective than late intervention (when the root is significantly exposed).

That said, the appearance and the symptoms of recession can be addressed in several ways. Mild recession with no symptoms and no aesthetic concern can simply be monitored. Moderate recession can be managed with sensitivity treatment, better home care, and addressing the underlying cause. More significant recession — particularly where the root is exposed, the tooth is sensitive, or the aesthetic change is bothersome — can be treated with a gum graft to cover the exposed root.

Treatment options for gum recession

The options depend on the severity and the cause:

• Behaviour change — for brushing-related recession, switching to a soft brush and a gentler technique stops further loss
• Desensitising treatment — fluoride varnish, desensitising toothpaste, or bonding to cover exposed root surfaces and reduce sensitivity
• Composite bonding — tooth-coloured material added to the exposed root to cover it and reduce sensitivity, with a reasonable cosmetic result
• Gum grafting — the gold standard for significant recession, where a small amount of gum tissue is taken from elsewhere in the mouth (usually the palate) and grafted onto the receded area
• Pinhole surgical technique — a minimally invasive alternative that loosens the existing gum and repositions it over the exposed root, without the need for a donor site

For most patients, the right answer is a combination: address the cause (better brushing, treat gum disease, manage grinding), manage the symptoms (desensitising, bonding), and consider a graft if the aesthetic or functional impact is significant. We will always lay out the options with their pros, cons, and realistic outcomes at the consultation.

Gum grafting — what to expect

A traditional gum graft involves taking a thin layer of tissue from the roof of the mouth (the palate) and stitching it over the exposed root. The donor site heals within 1-2 weeks, and the grafted site takes a few weeks to fully integrate. Success rates are high (around 90% for root coverage) and the result is stable long-term. The main downsides are the two surgical sites (donor and recipient), the post-op discomfort, and the recovery time.

The pinhole technique avoids the donor site by loosening the existing gum tissue and sliding it over the exposed root through a small pinhole entry point. The result is similar to a traditional graft, with less post-op discomfort and a faster recovery. Not all cases are suitable for the pinhole technique — it depends on the amount and pattern of the recession — but for the right case it is a genuinely better patient experience.

Gum grafts for significant recession are usually referred to a specialist periodontist. We can assess your case at Dentist Pymble and refer you to a trusted specialist if needed, or manage the case in-house if it is straightforward.

How much does gum recession treatment cost in Pymble?

It depends on the treatment. Behaviour change and desensitising treatment are at the lower end. Composite bonding is in the middle. Gum grafting is the most significant investment, particularly for multiple teeth, but the result is the most predictable and the most durable. We will always provide a written quote after the assessment, run a health-fund check on the day, and refer you to a specialist for grafting if needed.

How do I prevent further gum recession?

The single biggest step is to fix the brushing technique. Use a soft-bristled brush (manual or electric), angle it at 45 degrees toward the gum line, use small circular or vibrating motions, and let the bristles do the work rather than scrubbing hard. If you are not sure whether your technique is right, ask us at your next check-up — we are happy to coach you through it.

Beyond brushing, address the other causes: quit smoking, treat any active gum disease, wear a night guard if you grind, and maintain your regular hygiene appointments. If you have teeth sitting outside the arch with thin gum, talk to us about whether orthodontics or a gum graft is the right preventive answer before the recession gets worse.

If you live in Pymble, Gordon, Turramurra, Wahroonga or anywhere else in the Ku-ring-gai area and you have noticed your gums receding, call our practice. We see neighbouring Gordon patients and other nearby residents, and the earlier we see the recession, the more options we have.

Frequently asked questions

Are receding gums a sign of gum disease? Not always. Aggressive brushing is the most common cause, and it can happen in mouths that are otherwise completely healthy. That said, gum disease is a common cause of recession, and a periodontal assessment is the right first step to rule it in or out.

Can a gum graft fix my receding gums? For most types of recession, yes. A gum graft can cover the exposed root, reduce sensitivity, improve the appearance, and provide a stable long-term result. Success rates are around 90% for root coverage with modern techniques.

Is gum grafting painful? The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, so you don’t feel anything during the surgery. The post-op discomfort is manageable with over-the-counter pain relief, and most patients are back to normal activities within a few days. The pinhole technique has a notably easier recovery than traditional grafting.

Will my gums recede again after treatment? Not if the underlying cause is addressed. If you had aggressive brushing and you have fixed the technique, the graft should be stable. If you had untreated gum disease and it is not controlled, the recession can continue even around the graft. The key is treating the cause as well as the symptom.

How do I know if my gums are receding? The most common signs are teeth that look longer than they used to, visible root surfaces, sensitivity to cold or sweet in a particular spot, and notches or grooves at the gum line. The only way to know for sure is with a periodontal assessment, which is part of every routine check-up at our practice.