What Is Gum Recession?
Gum recession happens when the gum tissue that surrounds your teeth wears away or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth — and eventually the root. Because the root surface has no protective enamel, it is more vulnerable to sensitivity, decay, and further gum loss. Recession is gradual, so many people do not notice it until a tooth looks longer than before or starts reacting to cold.
It is one of the most common signs of gum problems in Singapore adults, and it tends to worsen with age if the underlying cause is not addressed. The good news: with the right care, you can stop recession from progressing and protect the teeth that are affected.
What Causes Gum Recession?
Gum recession rarely has a single cause. Most cases come from a combination of the factors below:
Gum disease
This is the leading cause. Bacterial infection inflames and destroys the gum and bone that support your teeth, causing the gums to recede. If you notice bleeding gums or loose teeth, treat it early — our guide on the signs of gum disease explains what to watch for.
Aggressive brushing
Brushing too hard, or using a hard-bristled brush, physically wears the gums away over time. A soft brush and gentle, circular strokes are far kinder to your gums.
Plaque and tartar buildup
When plaque hardens into tartar along the gumline, it can only be removed professionally. Left in place, it drives the inflammation that causes recession. Regular scaling and polishing (from $85 before GST) keeps this in check.
Teeth grinding and clenching
The repeated pressure of bruxism stresses the gums and bone, contributing to recession. If you grind your teeth at night, a custom night guard can help — read our guide on night guards and bruxism.
Other factors
- Genetics: Some people are simply more prone to thin gum tissue.
- Smoking: Tobacco reduces blood flow to the gums and accelerates gum disease.
- Misaligned teeth or orthodontic movement: Crowded or moving teeth can place uneven stress on the gums.
- Lip or tongue piercings: Metal jewellery rubbing against the gums causes localised recession.
Signs and Symptoms of Receding Gums
Gum recession develops slowly, but there are telltale signs to look out for:
- Teeth that look longer than they used to, or a tooth that appears longer than its neighbours
- A small notch or step you can feel where the tooth meets the gum
- Increased sensitivity to cold, heat, or sweet foods — see our guide on why teeth become sensitive to cold
- Teeth that feel loose or gums that bleed when brushing
- Exposed, yellowish root surfaces near the gumline
How Is Gum Recession Diagnosed?
Your dentist diagnoses gum recession through a straightforward clinical examination. Using a small probe, they measure how far the gum has moved from its normal position and check the depth of the pocket between the gum and tooth. This tells them whether the recession is purely mechanical (for example, from brushing too hard) or driven by active gum disease, which changes the treatment plan.
The examination also looks at the amount of healthy, attached gum remaining, the position and alignment of the teeth, and whether the bone underneath has been affected — sometimes confirmed with an X-ray. Recession is then graded from mild (a small amount of root exposure with healthy surrounding gum and bone) through to advanced (significant root exposure with bone loss). This grading guides whether a simple hygiene approach is enough or whether surgical correction should be considered. Catching recession at the mild stage almost always means simpler, less invasive treatment.
How Is Gum Recession Treated?
Treatment depends on how advanced the recession is and what is driving it. Your dentist will examine your gums, measure the depth of any gum pockets, and recommend the appropriate approach.
Mild recession
Early cases are usually managed without surgery. This includes professional scaling and polishing to remove plaque and tartar, switching to a soft toothbrush with gentle technique, and desensitising treatments such as fluoride varnish or bonding to cover exposed roots and ease sensitivity.
Moderate recession with gum disease
If gum disease is present, deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) cleans bacteria from below the gumline and smooths the root surface so the gums can reattach. This is part of our gum disease treatment, which starts from $500 and is Medisave claimable for eligible surgical procedures.
Advanced recession
For severe recession where significant root surface is exposed, a gum graft may be recommended. A small amount of tissue is taken from elsewhere in the mouth (or a donor source) and attached to the receded area to cover the root, reduce sensitivity, and protect the tooth. There are a few common approaches:
- Connective tissue graft: The most common technique, where tissue from beneath the surface of the palate is placed over the exposed root. It offers reliable coverage and a natural appearance.
- Free gingival graft: Tissue is taken directly from the palate to thicken thin gums, often used when there is very little attached gum left.
- Pinhole or minimally invasive techniques: In suitable cases, the existing gum is gently loosened and repositioned over the root through a tiny entry point, with no cutting or stitching of donor tissue.
Your dentist will discuss which approach, if any, is suitable for your situation and what results you can realistically expect.
Aftercare following gum treatment
Recovery from deep cleaning or a gum graft is usually straightforward. For the first week or two you can expect some tenderness, and you will be advised to eat soft foods, avoid brushing the treated area directly until it heals, and rinse gently as instructed. Most people return to normal activities the next day. Following your dentist's aftercare advice closely gives the gum the best chance to settle and bond to the tooth. We will schedule a review to check that everything is healing as it should.
Can Gum Recession Lead to Tooth Loss?
If the underlying cause is gum disease and it is left untreated, then yes — ongoing recession is accompanied by loss of the bone that holds teeth in place, which can eventually make teeth loose and lead to tooth loss. This is why recession should never be ignored, especially when it comes with bleeding gums or looseness. The encouraging news is that recession caused by brushing technique alone, without active gum disease, does not by itself cause teeth to fall out, and is very manageable once the habit is corrected.
Does Gum Recession Grow Back?
No — once gum tissue has receded, it does not regenerate on its own. This is why early treatment is so important. The goal of treatment is to stop the recession from getting worse, relieve symptoms like sensitivity, and where needed, surgically cover the exposed roots. The sooner you act, the more of your natural gum you can preserve.
Cost and Medisave Coverage
At Trust Dental Surgery, the cost of treating gum recession depends on the stage and the procedure required. Professional scaling and polishing starts from $85 before GST (9%), while surgical gum treatment starts from $500 and is Medisave claimable for eligible procedures. CHAS subsidies can also offset routine cleanings for eligible patients. We will always go through the costs with you transparently before any treatment begins.
How to Prevent Gum Recession
Most gum recession is preventable with consistent care:
- Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled brush using gentle, circular strokes — never scrub hard
- Floss once a day to control plaque between teeth and along the gumline
- Visit your dentist every six months for a check-up and professional clean
- Treat gum disease early — do not ignore bleeding gums
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
- Quit smoking, which significantly raises your risk
When to See a Dentist
Book an appointment if you notice your gums pulling back, teeth looking longer, exposed roots, increasing sensitivity, or bleeding gums. Because gum recession does not reverse on its own, catching it early gives you the best chance of stopping it — and avoiding more involved treatment down the road.
