Teeth that look longer
More of the tooth shows than before, often on one or two teeth first, such as the canines or the lower front teeth.
Gum recession
Receding Gums Treatment in Dubai
When gums pull back, the root surface shows and teeth can look longer and feel sensitive. Treatment starts by finding what is causing it, so the recession stops progressing.
- Gum charting and X-rays
- Guided Biofilm Therapy cleaning
- Open daily 10:00–20:00
If you have old photos of your smile, bring them: they help show whether the recession is changing.
Quick answer
How are receding gums treated?
Receding gums are treated by finding and stopping the cause, usually gum disease, hard brushing or grinding, then managing the effects with desensitising care, bonding over exposed roots, or a gum graft in some cases. Gums do not grow back by themselves. At Creative Arts in Dubai, recession is measured first, so changes can be tracked.
27 yearsIn-house dental laboratory in the same building
Written planItemised treatment plan before you commit
Open daily10:00–20:00, seven days a week
Jumeirah 3614 Jumeira St, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai
What it is
What is gum recession, and why do teeth start to look longer?
Gum recession means the gum margin has moved down (or up, on the top teeth) away from the crown, exposing part of the root. The root has no enamel covering it, so it is softer, more sensitive and more prone to decay and wear than the rest of the tooth.
Recession is usually slow and causes no pain, which is why many people first notice it in photographs: a tooth that looks longer than its neighbour, or a gum line that is no longer even. It can affect one tooth or many. What matters clinically is not only how much root is showing, but whether it is still getting worse — stable recession is managed very differently from recession that is active.
Receding gums are the opposite of a gummy smile, where too much gum shows; that is a separate question covered on our gum contouring page.
Signs
What do receding gums look and feel like?
Recession often causes no pain at all. These are the changes people notice first.
Sensitivity at the gum line
A short, sharp twinge from cold drinks, air or the toothbrush where the yellower root surface is now exposed.
Notches or ledges at the neck
A groove you can feel with a fingernail where the tooth meets the gum, often from brushing wear on the exposed root.
Dark triangles and food trapping
Small dark gaps between the teeth near the gums, where the gum between them has shrunk and food now collects.
Causes
What makes gums recede?
There is often more than one cause at work. Treating the effect without changing the cause means the recession keeps going.
Gum disease
Periodontitis destroys the bone and attachment holding the gum in place, so the gum follows the bone down. Bleeding gums and bad breath are common companions.
Brushing too hard
A hard brush and a scrubbing, side-to-side action push the gum back over years, especially on teeth that stick out slightly.
Grinding and clenching
Heavy forces flex the tooth at the neck and can contribute to notches and recession. It often appears with flat or chipped edges.
Thin gums and tooth position
Some people naturally have thin gum tissue. Teeth that sit or are moved by orthodontics towards the outer edge of the bone have less covering and recede more easily.
Smoking and oral piercings
Smoking harms gum health and hides bleeding. Lip and tongue piercings rub against the gum and are a known cause of recession on the lower front teeth.
Seek prompt dental assessment if…
a tooth feels loose or has started to move; your gums bleed, swell or leak pus, or there is a bad taste that keeps returning; the recession has changed noticeably over weeks or months; or a tooth has become painful rather than briefly sensitive. The clinic is open daily, 10:00–20:00, with no overnight service. Facial swelling with fever, or with difficulty breathing or swallowing, needs a hospital emergency department straight away.
Diagnosis
How is gum recession assessed?
The aim is to measure the recession, find its cause and decide whether it is stable or active.
History and habits
Your brush, technique, grinding, smoking, past orthodontic treatment and any piercings are asked about, because each points to a different fix.
Visit 1Periodontal charting
A fine probe measures pocket depth, recession and bleeding around each tooth, and the dentist checks for mobility. These numbers are the baseline for monitoring.
Visit 1X-rays where needed
They show the bone level, which separates gum disease from recession caused mainly by brushing or tooth position.
Visit 1Plan and monitoring
You receive a written plan with the options, alternatives and costs. Stable recession may simply be re-measured at future visits.
Same or next visit
Treatment options
Receding gums treatment, from conservative to complex
Most people need only the first few rows. Surgery is considered when recession is progressing, causing problems or will not respond to simpler care.
| Option | When it fits | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Fix the cause: brushing technique | Every case, and especially recession from hard brushing | A soft brush, gentle angled strokes and less pressure. Simple, but it is what stops brushing recession progressing |
| GBT cleaning and gum disease treatment | Recession with plaque, tartar, bleeding or pockets | Guided Biofilm Therapy, then deep cleaning below the gum where pockets are present, followed by regular maintenance |
| Desensitising care | Exposed roots that twinge with cold or brushing | Desensitising toothpaste and in-clinic fluoride varnish; works over weeks and may need repeating |
| Bonding over exposed roots or notches | Notches, sensitive root surfaces or a dark gap that bothers you | Tooth-coloured composite seals and protects the root and can improve appearance; it covers the root but does not replace gum |
| Night guard for grinding | Grinding or clenching is adding force at the gum line | A custom guard worn at night protects the teeth; it manages the habit rather than stopping it |
| Gum graft | May be considered for some cases: progressing recession, very thin gum, or roots that need covering | Tissue is placed over the exposed area under local anaesthetic. Your dentist will explain whether it suits you and what coverage is realistic |
If recession comes with bleeding gums, start with our bleeding gums page: gum disease is treated before anything cosmetic.
What not every case needs
Does every receding gum need surgery?
No. The honest answer depends on whether the recession is stable, what caused it and whether it bothers you.
Often enough on its own
- Changing brush and technique, then re-measuring at check-ups
- Treating gum disease and keeping up maintenance cleaning
- Desensitising care for roots that twinge
- Bonding over a notch that is sensitive or catches food
Worth knowing before you decide
- Gums do not grow back by themselves once they have receded, whatever a product promises
- Stable recession with no symptoms does not automatically need a graft
- A graft does not fix the cause; without changing it, recession can return
- Veneers or crowns do not treat recession; the gums are stabilised before any cosmetic work is planned
Who treats you
Dentists who assess and treat receding gums
Dr. Duaa Ameen and Dr. Taban Ameen look after gum health at Creative Arts, from charting and Guided Biofilm Therapy to gum treatment and laser soft-tissue work.
Patient questions
Frequently asked questions
Can receding gums grow back on their own?
No. Once gum has receded, it does not grow back by itself, and no toothpaste or mouthwash can regrow it. What treatment can do is stop the recession progressing, protect and desensitise the exposed root, and, in selected cases, cover part of the root with a gum graft. The earlier the cause is dealt with, the less there is to repair.
Is gum recession caused by brushing too hard?
Often, in part. A hard brush and a scrubbing action are one of the commonest causes, especially on teeth that stand slightly forward. Gum disease, grinding, thin gums and tooth position are other causes, and many people have more than one. Switching to a soft or electric brush with gentle pressure is the first step either way.
Why do my teeth look longer than they used to?
Usually because the gum has moved back and part of the root now shows. The root is slightly yellower and narrower than the crown, which makes the tooth look longer. Less often, teeth look different because they have shifted or worn. A gum check measures how much has receded and whether it is still changing.
Can receding gums make my teeth sensitive?
Yes. The exposed root has no enamel, so cold, air and brushing reach the dentine and cause a short, sharp twinge. Desensitising toothpaste, in-clinic varnish and bonding over the exposed area usually control it well. Pain that lingers or wakes you is different and needs the tooth examined.
Will braces or aligners make gum recession worse?
They can in some cases, particularly where the gum is thin or teeth are moved outwards beyond the bone covering them, often the lower front teeth. Straightening can also make teeth easier to clean. The gums are checked before orthodontic treatment, and recession risk is discussed when the tooth movement is planned.
Does a gum graft hurt, and how long is recovery?
If a graft is suggested for your case, it is done under local anaesthetic. Afterwards the area, and the palate if tissue is taken from there, is usually tender for several days, managed with over-the-counter pain relief, a soft diet and careful cleaning. Initial healing typically takes one to two weeks, with the gum maturing over the following months.
Is gum recession the same as gum disease?
Not always. Gum disease is a common cause of recession, but recession also happens in otherwise healthy mouths from brushing, thin gums or tooth position. The difference matters because gum disease needs cleaning and periodontal care, while brushing recession needs a change in technique. Charting and X-rays tell the two apart.
Keep exploring
Related treatments
GumsGum treatment & periodonticsCharting, deep cleaning and maintenance for gum disease.ConditionBleeding gumsGingivitis and gum disease, the commonest cause of recession.ConditionSensitive teethCalming the twinge from exposed root surfaces.CleaningTeeth cleaning with GBTGuided Biofilm Therapy above and below the gum line.ConditionTeeth grindingNight guards and protecting teeth from heavy forces.Gum aestheticsGum contouringFor the opposite problem: too much gum showing, not too little.
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- Address614 Jumeira St, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai
- Opening hoursClinic open daily, 10:00–20:00
- Phone+971 4 342 4444 · WhatsApp +971 56 677 7537
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