By Alexander Angeloff, founder of TranscenDental. Educational content, not a substitute for an exam by your dentist or periodontist.
Gum recession usually happens so slowly that you don't notice it until a tooth suddenly looks longer or a spot near the gumline starts to sting with cold water. It's also very common: in a widely cited review, about half of adults aged 18 to 64, and 88% of people 65 and older, had at least one area of recession (Kassab and Cohen, JADA, 2003).
This guide shows what receding gums look like, the signs to watch for, how recession progresses through its stages, and what to do at each one.
What I brush with every day
What do receding gums look like?
Receding gums look like teeth that have gotten longer. The gum margin, the edge of the gum where it meets the tooth, has moved up (on top teeth) or down (on bottom teeth), exposing part of the root. Typical features:
- A tooth that looks longer than the teeth next to it
- A yellowish or darker band near the gumline: the root surface, which isn't covered by white enamel
- A small notch or ridge you can feel with a fingernail where enamel meets root
- A gumline that dips into a V or U shape over one tooth instead of following a smooth curve
- Small dark triangles between teeth near the gums, where the gum between the teeth has shrunk
Receding gums vs normal gums
| Healthy gums | Receding gums | |
|---|---|---|
| Gumline | Even, follows a smooth scalloped curve | Uneven; dips higher over some teeth |
| Tooth length | Teeth look proportional | Some teeth look longer |
| Root visible? | No, only white enamel shows | Yellowish root surface near the gumline |
| Between teeth | Gum fills the space in a point | Dark triangular gaps may appear |
| Color and texture | Pale or coral pink, firm, may look slightly stippled | Often red, puffy or shiny if inflamed; can also look thin and pale |
| Sensitivity | Usually none | Cold, sweets or brushing can sting at the gumline |
Signs of receding gums
- Sensitivity at the gumline to cold, hot, sweet or sour foods, or to brushing. This is often the first thing people notice.
- Teeth that look longer than they used to, or longer than their neighbors.
- A visible yellow or brownish band at the base of the tooth.
- A notch you can feel at the gumline.
- Gaps or "black triangles" between teeth near the gums.
- Bleeding, swelling or tenderness when you brush or floss, which suggests gum inflammation is involved.
- Bad breath or a bad taste that doesn't go away, a sign of gum disease.
- Loose teeth or a change in your bite, which signal advanced gum disease and need prompt dental care.
The stages of receding gums
Stage 1: Early recession
The gumline has pulled back by a millimeter or so on one or a few teeth. A tooth may look slightly longer, and you might notice occasional cold sensitivity. The gum between the teeth is still intact. This is the stage where changes to brushing, products and habits make the biggest difference.
Stage 2: Moderate recession
More of the root is exposed, and you can usually see a clear yellowish band at the base of the tooth. Sensitivity is more frequent. The gum may look thin over the root, and the exposed root surface is more prone to wear and decay than enamel.
Stage 3: Advanced recession
Long sections of root are exposed, the gum between teeth has shrunk and dark triangles appear, and there may be bone loss underneath. In this stage, teeth can become loose. This needs professional care; a periodontist may recommend treating gum disease and, in some cases, grafting to cover exposed roots.
How dentists classify recession
Dentists use more precise systems. The long-standing Miller classification grades recession from Class I to IV based on how far it extends and whether the gum and bone between the teeth have been lost. The newer Cairo classification (RT1 to RT3) is based mainly on attachment loss between the teeth. Both help predict whether a graft can fully cover the root, which is why a periodontal exam matters more than how the gumline looks in a mirror.
What I brush with every day
10% nano-hydroxyapatite, organic birch xylitol and 2% theobromine in a probiotic herbal ferment. No fluoride, SLS or glycerin.
Pictures of receding gums and gum disease
Recession and gum disease often appear together, so it helps to see the difference.
Where receding gums show up first
- Canines and premolars, especially on the cheek side, because they stick out slightly in the arch and take the most pressure from brushing.
- Lower front teeth, where gum tissue is often thin and tartar builds up behind the teeth.
- Back teeth (molars), often linked to gum disease, since plaque is harder to clean there. Recession on back teeth is easy to miss without a dental exam.
- Teeth that are out of line or have been moved by braces, which can leave thinner gum over the root.
- One side more than the other, often the side opposite your brushing hand, where people tend to scrub harder.
Brushing too hard is one of the most common causes of recession in people who otherwise have healthy gums, including people in their 20s and 30s. Other causes include gum disease, thin gum tissue, grinding, tobacco and vaping. We cover causes and prevention in can receding gums be reversed?
How to check for receding gums at home
- Use good light and a mirror. Pull your lips back and look at the gumline from the front and side.
- Compare neighboring teeth. Look for one tooth that seems longer or a gumline that dips higher.
- Look for color changes: a yellowish band where the tooth meets the gum.
- Feel for a ridge. Gently run a fingernail from the tooth toward the gum. A step or notch can mean root is exposed.
- Notice sensitivity: sip cold water and note any tooth that stings at the gumline.
- Take a photo every few months in the same lighting. Recession is slow, and photos make changes easier to spot.
A home check can't measure pocket depth or bone loss, so it's a reason to see a dentist, not a replacement for one.
What to do at each stage
Early recession: switch to an extra-soft brush and gentle technique, clean between your teeth daily, and use a low-abrasion toothpaste that supports gums and exposed roots. Ask your dentist to measure and record the recession so you can track it.
Moderate recession: everything above, plus a dental or periodontal exam to check for gum disease and bone loss. Protect exposed roots, which are softer than enamel and more prone to sensitivity and decay. Address grinding with a night guard if needed.
Advanced recession: see a periodontist. Treatment may include deep cleaning, managing gum disease and, in some cases, gum grafting. Home care still matters for keeping results.
At every stage, the toothpaste you use matters. Look for a low-abrasion, SLS-free formula with hydroxyapatite to protect exposed roots and ingredients that support gum tissue. Our guide to the best toothpaste for receding gums covers what to look for. We built TranscenDental toothpaste around exactly that: 10% nano-hydroxyapatite, hyaluronic acid and gum-supporting botanicals, with no SLS. You can also read my own experience with receding gums.
Build the full routine: brush with TranscenDental toothpaste, clean between your teeth with our plastic-free bamboo floss, and finish after meals with an Ora Flora xylitol mint (about 3 g of organic birch xylitol each, no gum base or artificial sweeteners). Or get all three together in the Oral Care Trio and save $12.
Frequently asked questions
What do early receding gums look like?
Usually a tooth that looks slightly longer than its neighbors, a gumline that dips a little higher over one tooth, or a thin yellowish line near the gum. Cold sensitivity in one spot is often the first sign.
How can I tell if my gums are receding?
Look for longer-looking teeth, visible root color at the gumline, a notch you can feel with a fingernail, and sensitivity near the gums. A dentist can confirm it by measuring the gums with a probe.
Can you get receding gums on back teeth?
Yes. Recession on molars is often linked to gum disease and is easy to miss in a mirror, which is one reason regular dental exams matter.
Is it normal to have receding gums in your 20s?
It's common, especially on canines and premolars, and is often caused by brushing too hard, thin gums or past orthodontic treatment. It's worth addressing early, since it's much easier to stop than to repair.
How fast do gums recede?
Usually slowly, over months to years. Recession that progresses quickly, or comes with bleeding, swelling or loose teeth, needs prompt dental attention.
Do receding gums grow back?
No. Gum tissue that has receded doesn't grow back on its own, but recession can usually be stopped, and grafting can cover exposed roots when needed. Read more in can receding gums be reversed?
Is gum recession the same as gum disease?
No, though they're related. Gum disease is an infection and inflammation of the gums and bone; recession is the gumline moving back. Gum disease is a major cause of recession, but recession can also happen in healthy mouths, for example from hard brushing.
What I brush with every day
10% nano-hydroxyapatite, organic birch xylitol and 2% theobromine in a probiotic herbal ferment. No fluoride, SLS or glycerin.
