Understanding gum recession and the treatments
Dr Gordon Tam • April 12, 2024
Apart from a nice set of teeth, having a set of healthy and pink looking gums are as important.
What is gum recession?
It is a process where the gum tissue (the gum line) surrounding the teeth starts to pull back away from its original position, resulting in exposing more of the tooth structure. In some severe cases, the roots of the tooth are exposed, causing sensitivity to the exposed tooth.
In gum disease, there are pockets of space formed in between our teeth and the gum line, allowing food to get trapped and bacteria to build up. If routine dental hygiene is not well maintained or left untreated, the gums will get inflamed, the bone resorption and gum recession occur, and eventually lead to tooth loss.
Although gum recession is a common dental issue, not many people realise that they are having a gum recession until it is visibly noticeable, someone tells them about it, or they start to experience tooth sensitivity.
Symptoms of gum recession
- Receding gum line
- Teeth seem to ‘grow longer’
- Gaps or pockets of space in between teeth got bigger and bigger
- Teeth sensitivity
- Frequent food trap
Myths of gum recession
- Ageing - It is commonly heard from many people that they think gum recession is common among older people. This is not true! Gum recession can happen to anyone who has unhealthy gums or improper dental hygiene.
- Unhealthy people - Only unhealthy people have gum recession is an incorrect statement. Although our gums are one of the indications of our dental and general health, it does not mean that only unhealthy people have it. Healthy people like you may also have gum recession due to several causes, such as brushing with a hard-bristle toothbrush with harsh brushing strokes.
Causes
- Teeth grinding - Those who grind their teeth during their sleep may not even realise that they are teeth grinders. It’s even less known that teeth grinding can potentially cause gum recession. When you grind your teeth, the pressure and friction cause the teeth to move, and the supporting bones and gum will eventually recede due to the movements.
- Physical wearing off of the gums - Brushing with a hard-bristle toothbrush or hard brushing movements, causing the gum injury and subsequently the gum to recede.
- Poor Oral Hygiene and Gum Disease - People with poor oral hygiene habits allow any food to remain trapped between teeth. Bacteria, plaque, and potential decay start to form and affect gum health. This will progress to periodontal issues and eventually lead to the loss of a tooth if left untreated. It is a severe case of gum disease where people started with poor oral hygiene continue to ignore, gums are inflamed, and teeth are affected. Gingivitis is present and has progressed to periodontitis, where the gum tissues are inflamed, and tartar is formed along the gum line, where bacteria continue to grow and spread.
- Post Orthodontic Treatment - During the orthodontic treatment by fixed braces, it increases the risk of gingivitis and plaque build-up. This can lead to issues like increased pocket depth, gum recession and potential bone loss.
Treatments
- Root Planing / Deep Cleaning under local anaesthesia -
For mild cases of gum recession, we suggest professional deep cleaning on the affected areas. After the deep cleaning, plaque and tartar are removed, allowing the receded gums to reattach to the tooth structure.
- Fluoride Varnish - Apply desensitising agents to help reduce tooth sensitivity to the exposed root.
- Composite Restoration - Placement of composite restoration (tooth-colored filling) for more severe cases, to cover and protect the exposed root surfaces.
- Gum Tissue Transplant - we have an option for patients to undergo a gum transplant where our gum specialist will graft soft tissue from another site in the mouth and transplant it to the affected area. The grafted area will heal progressively and improve the gum recession issue.
You do not want to ignore it if you suspect you have gum recession. Early detection and seeking early treatment saves you from teeth sensitivity, social awkwardness, prevents any further damage and potential loss of teeth. Oral health is very much linked to our general health. A healthy body starts with a healthy set of teeth and gums. Get an appointment with us to understand more about your gums and oral health.
For more information and consultation, please contact Smile Design Dental Practice at +65 6463 8588.
To serve you better, we are available by Appointment Only.
Please contact us to schedule for an appointment.
Precision Care. Maximum Preservation. Better Outcomes. Modern dentistry is evolving beyond traditional “drill and fill” approaches. At the forefront of this evolution is Ultra Conservative Restorative Dentistry. This philosophy prioritises preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible while delivering durable, aesthetic, and biologically sound results. This approach is made possible through the integration of advanced technologies, including operating microscopes, micro-instruments, AI-assisted digital diagnostics, and strict isolation techniques such as rubber dam use.
Modern dentistry is no longer just about fixing problems—it’s about detecting, tracking, and preventing them before they become serious. Dental condition monitoring plays a crucial role in maintaining long-term oral health, enabling both patients and clinicians to identify subtle changes early and intervene promptly. With advanced technologies such as the 3Shape TRIOS 6 AI-assistive digital diagnostic intraoral scanner, high-resolution intraoral photography, and digital X-ray radiographs, dental monitoring today is more precise, visual, and predictive than ever before.
Dental erosion is an increasingly common condition in modern society, affecting patients of all ages. Unlike tooth decay caused by bacteria, erosion is the progressive loss of tooth structure due to chemical processes—primarily acids—without bacterial involvement. Understanding its causes, early signs, and treatment options is essential for preserving long-term oral health.
A Clearer View. A Higher Standard. A Better Smile. In today’s world of high-definition screens and precision engineering, it may surprise you that dentistry was traditionally performed with the naked eye. While dentists have always aimed for excellence, human vision has limits. And in a field measured in fractions of millimetres, those limits matter. That’s where magnification comes in.
As parents, we want the best for our children—and that includes healthy, beautiful smiles that last a lifetime. Establishing good dental habits early sets the foundation for excellent oral health well into adulthood. Here are some practical, fun ways to help your children develop positive dental care routines.
Gum recession is a common dental condition where the gum tissue surrounding the teeth wears away or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth or its root. This not only affects your smile but can also lead to serious dental problems if left untreated. Let's explore the leading causes of gum recession and the treatments available.
For Parents: Understanding thumb sucking is the first step to protecting your child's smile. If you've noticed your toddler or young child frequently sucking their thumb, you're not alone. Thumb sucking is a completely natural self-soothing behaviour that many children develop, sometimes even before birth. While it's normal for babies and very young children, parents often wonder: When does it become a problem for my child's teeth?
A food trap between teeth refers to the tendency for food particles to become stuck in the spaces between two teeth during or after eating. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, persistent food trapping can be a sign of underlying dental issues and may lead to discomfort, gum inflammation, bad breath, and even tooth decay if left unaddressed. Understanding the potential causes of food traps is essential for both prevention and timely treatment.
Teeth grinding or clenching during sleep, known as sleep bruxism, is a common condition that affects many people without their awareness. Often discovered through symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, tooth sensitivity, or worn-down teeth, bruxism can lead to significant oral and facial problems if left unmanaged. One of the most effective and widely recommended preventive measures is the use of a night guard, also called an occlusal splint. This simple oral appliance can provide multiple benefits for individuals who grind their teeth while sleeping.
Losing several teeth can affect more than just your appearance. It can impact chewing efficiency, speech, facial support, and overall oral health. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several effective options to replace multiple missing teeth. The right solution depends on the number of missing teeth, bone condition, budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Below is an overview of the most common tooth replacement options and what to consider for each.