Receding Gums vs Healthy Gums: See the Differences with Images

Receding gums are a common concern, especially as we age. Around 90% of adults over 65 experience gum recession on at least one tooth!

The first step in addressing this issue is recognizing it—and understanding what’s causing it. Luckily, distinguishing healthy gums from receding gums isn’t too hard.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to identify gum recession and the most common risk factors.

Healthy Gums vs. Receding Gums: The Key Differences

Beyond clean, white teeth, healthy gums are just as important to an attractive smile. Even if your teeth are perfectly aligned, issues with your gums can be noticeable and affect your overall appearance.

Healthy gums typically have a pale pink color, though this can vary. For example, people with darker skin tones may have brownish pigmentation due to melanin production.

They should also be firm to the touch. When you press gently with your finger, healthy gums should offer some resistance. If gums become inflamed, they soften and may feel loose.

Another key feature of healthy gums is how they fit around the teeth. They should hug each tooth snugly and have a smooth, scalloped, or wavy contour. In gum disease, it's common to find that some areas appear higher or lower than others.

If your gums start to recede, you’ll begin to notice some changes. Here are the most obvious signs.

1. Exposed Roots

Our teeth are divided into two main parts:

• The crown, which is the visible top portion.
• The root, which lies beneath the gums.

These two sections meet at the neck of the tooth, a collar-like area that marks the transition between them.

When gums are healthy, only the crown is visible, and the neck and roots remain well covered. However, when gums recede, the neck becomes exposed, creating a noticeable narrowing near the base of the tooth.

As the recession progresses, more of the root becomes visible. Since roots are naturally darker and narrower than the crown, this contrast makes gum recession even more noticeable.

Another obvious sign of exposed roots is that your teeth may start to look longer than before. Because the aesthetics of a smile depend heavily on the size and proportion of teeth, this change can become a significant cosmetic concern.

2. Uneven Gum Line

Another common sign of gum recession is an uneven gum line. Instead of smoothly contouring each tooth, receding gums can create noticeable asymmetries, where some areas are higher or lower than others.

In the early stages, recession might appear as a small crack or thinning area in the gum tissue. As it worsens, it can become more extensive, making the unevenness more pronounced.

3. Black Triangles

This is when receding gums affect the spaces between your teeth.

In healthy gums, the interdental papilla (a small, triangular gum projection) fills the spaces between teeth. When gum recession causes this tissue to shrink or pull away, dark gaps begin to appear, commonly known as black triangles.

These gaps can be quite noticeable, especially when you smile or talk, making them one of the major cosmetic concerns.

4. With or Without Inflammation

Whether or not gum recession comes with inflammation depends on its cause.

If plaque buildup is the trigger, you may notice signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, and bleeding. This happens because bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, leading to inflammation and gradual gum loss.

However, not all gum recession involves inflammation. In some cases, gums can recede while still appearing healthy. This means there may be no redness or swelling, but the gums continue to pull away over time.

How? This happens when gum recession is caused by physical trauma rather than infection. For example:

• Brushing too hard or using a hard-bristle toothbrush
• A tooth that sits too high constantly rubs against the gums

5. Tooth Sensitivity

Gum recession and tooth sensitivity almost always go hand in hand.

That’s because tooth roots contain tiny pores (dentinal tubules) that lead directly to the nerve inside the tooth. When gums recede and expose these roots, they lose their natural protection. As a result, everyday things like hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks can reach the nerve endings and trigger discomfort.

This sensitivity is often described as a sharp, short pain that fades as soon as the stimulus is removed.

Some Commonly Associated Factors

It’s not just one cause that leads to receding gums; it’s a combination of risk factors that develop over time. These factors don’t automatically mean your gums will recede, but having one or more can significantly increase your risk.

High Frenum Attachment

The frenum is a small, triangular-shaped piece of soft tissue that connects your lips to your gums. You can easily see it by lifting your lips.

In some cases, the frenum attaches too high to the gum, creating constant tension. Over time, this tension can pull the gum tissue away from the teeth.

Thin Gums

Your gingival biotype—the natural thickness of your gums—is mostly determined by genetics. Some people have thick, tough gums, while others have thin, delicate gums.

Those with a thin gingival biotype are more vulnerable to gum recession, as their gums are less resistant to external forces like brushing or chewing pressures.

Dental Crowding

Misaligned or crowded teeth are often associated with gum recession for two main reasons:

• Crowded teeth easily retain plaque and are harder to clean.
• When a tooth is tilted forward or out of alignment, it may lack gum and bony support on one side. The weaker side is then more prone to recession.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Not brushing and flossing daily doesn’t just increase your risk of gum recession—it can also lead to other forms of gum disease, cavities, bad breath, and many other dental issues.

The reason is simple: Plaque buildup. Plaque is a soft, bacteria-filled film that constantly forms on your teeth. If it’s not removed regularly, harmful bacteria can invade the gums, causing them to shrink, become inflamed, and even break down the bone supporting your teeth. Over time, this can lead to loose or shifting teeth—or worse, tooth loss.

What Can Happen If Receding Gums Are Left Untreated?

The answer to this question largely depends on the underlying causes and whether the recession is stable or actively progressing.

If the recession is due to plaque-related gum disease, which causes inflammation, ignoring the problem can lead to further damage. As the disease progresses, it can destroy the gums and bone that support your teeth, possibly resulting in tooth loss.

The standard treatment for gum disease is scaling and root planing. It's a procedure that removes plaque and infected tissue from both above and below the gum line.

However, if the recession is caused by trauma or chronic irritation, such as aggressive brushing or ill-fitting dental work, addressing the source of the trauma will usually stop further gum recession.

If the gum recession is stable and not progressing, maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding irritation may be all that’s needed. But if it causes sensitivity, cosmetic concerns, or discomfort, you may want to explore options for covering the exposed roots or even rebuilding your gums.

The treatment goes beyond addressing the recession itself—it also targets the underlying risk factors. For instance, if your frenal attachment is too high, a frenectomy (removal of the frenum) may be required. Similarly, if dental crowding or an improper bite is contributing to the recession, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct the issue.

How to Stop Further Damage

To prevent further damage, it’s important to address the two main triggers: plaque buildup and trauma.

1. Plaque Buildup

Plaque buildup is the main culprit behind gum disease. The only way to beat it is through regular oral hygiene.

• Brush regularly: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily: This helps remove plaque from between teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.
• Regular dental checkups: Visit your dentist for professional cleanings to remove tartar that brushing and flossing can't.

2. Trauma

Trauma is another big trigger of gingival recession. The key to tackling this is to treat your gums more gently.

• Avoid aggressive brushing: Use gentle, circular motions and a soft-bristled brush.
• Correct improper dental work: If your dental appliances or fillings are causing irritation, speak to your dentist about adjustments.
• Fix bad habits: Stop habits like teeth grinding or biting hard objects, which can stress your gums.