Gum disease, receding gums and periodontitis: what's the difference?

Gum disease, receding gums, and periodontal disease are terms you may have heard before, but what do they mean, and what's the difference? More importantly, if you're experiencing sore gums, bleeding gums or gum recession, what can you do about it to ensure you maintain oral health and protect your teeth? 

We talk about the dental health risks that receding gums might indicate, and help you figure out what to do about it. 

What are receding gums or gingival recession?

Gum recession, also known as gingival recession, is the weakening of the tissue that makes up the gums. This causes their volume to be reduced and, therefore, the root of the teeth to become more exposed. Although it is very common, you should never ignore it, as it can quickly lead to gingival disorders or the permanent loss of teeth if you don't seek treatment for receding gums.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?

Late stages of periodontal disease are when there are signs of infection, and the gum that secures the teeth is at a significant stage of deterioration. Leaving diseased gums or gum infection untreated can lead to more serious problems, such as tooth loss.

Even in early stages, inflamed, sore or receding gums can make us feel uncomfortable with our smile, and also increase our tooth sensitivity.

So, here are the signs to look out for so you can recognise what gum recession is, how it occurs, the consequences it can cause and how to treat it.

Receding gum symptoms

Signs of receding gums can vary hugely, depending on the person and the degree to which the problem has progressed. There are many symptoms of gum recession, some of them include:

Halitosis: Gum recession can cause bad breath due to the accumulation of bacteria in the dental plaque.

Red and swollen gums: The natural colour of your gums should be pink. Red or swollen gums are a sign of possible infection.

Sensitivity to temperature changes: Hypersensitivity to hot or cold foods is a clear symptom of unhealthy gums.

Bleeding during brushing: Bleeding gums during brushing means there is inflammation and should be treated.

Spacing between teeth or loose teeth: Due to receding gums, interdental spaces or changes in the bite may be seen, as the way the teeth fit together in the jaws is altered.

Tooth loss: The most serious cases may result in the loss of some teeth.

What causes gum recession?

Gum recession causes are varied and include genetic inheritance, hormonal behaviour, and bad oral health habits. These are some of the most frequent causes that can lead to receding gums:

Periodontitis and receding gums

Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums and is caused by an accumulation of bacterial plaque around and under the gums. If not treated properly, it can lead to an infection called periodontitis. Both can damage the tissues and bones that support the teeth.

Receding gums from brushing too hard

Not brushing our teeth, brushing too hard or using brushes that are too hard can damage our gums and therefore cause them to recede and increase our tooth sensitivity.

Teeth grinding and gum recession

If we suffer from bruxism - clenching or grinding our teeth too hard - we exert too much force on our gums, which will eventually weaken them.

Pregnancy and gum recession

Hormonal changes that occur during adolescence, or even during pregnancy, or menopause can increase the sensitivity of the gums and cause them to recede. During pregnancy, increases in estrogen and progesterone can affect blood flow and increase sensitivity to plaque.

Smoking causing gum recession

Smoking is also detrimental to our oral health. Tobacco smoke causes plaque to build up on the teeth and affects our immune system, favouring possible periodontal diseases.

Tongue piercing and gum recession

Sometimes, piercings in the mouth can cause gingival recession. The gums become irritated and are more prone to wear and tear, which can lead to gum recession.

Gum recession treatment: how to deal with signs of gum recession

If any of the above symptoms appear, the most important thing to do is to see a dental specialist. An early consultation will help to solve the problem, and your dentist should be able to offer potential ideas about how to treat receding gums.

There are different treatments for receding gums, such as gingival grafting and gum graft surgery, among others, which the specialist will assess depending on the degree of the pathology and the characteristics of the patient.

How can you stop gums from receding?

Prevention is undoubtedly the best way to maintain healthy gums. There are many ways to prevent receding gums, which include healthy oral hygiene habits, avoiding brushing too roughly, choosing a good soft or medium toothbrush and renewing it every two or three months.

Another piece of advice commonly handed out when patients want to know how to prevent gum recession is to have your teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year. This will help us to remove accumulated tartar and bacterial plaque whilst controlling the health of our gums.

Gingival recession and orthodontic treatments

People prone to gingival recession and considering treatment might ask themselves, "Can orthodontic treatment cause gum recession?". Gingival recession and orthodontic treatment are not mutually exclusive. However, while there is no direct relation between using braces and developing receding gums, fixed orthodontics can make it difficult to clean the mouth, and the infections that occur if complete hygiene is not maintained can cause gum recession.

It is important to clarify that the use of orthodontics is not a solution to receding gums. However, with removable orthodontics, not only is it possible to maintain better oral hygiene, but we can also digitally plan each case and minimise the risk of recession increasing.

At Impress, our medical team of GDC-dentists and orthodontists lead our aligner treatment with care and professionalism, advising you on everything from pre-treatment to post-straightening care. We use state-of-the-art technology during your clear aligners treatment to offer our patients the best results.

If you want to get started with your smile correction plan, you can call us at +44 20 3808 1072 or make an appointment online on our website.

Updated: June 2025