Are My Gums Too Low? How to Tell If Your Gums Are Receding

Have you looked in the mirror and thought, “Why do my gums look so low?”

Maybe one tooth looks longer than the others. Perhaps you can see more of the tooth near the gumline, or you’ve started noticing sensitivity when you drink something cold.

It can be difficult to tell whether you’re simply noticing your natural gum shape or whether your gums are actually receding.

There isn’t one ideal gumline that everyone should have. Gum position and appearance can vary between people and between different teeth in the same mouth.

What matters more is whether your gumline appears healthy and stable or whether it has changed over time.

Quick Answer: Are My Gums Too Low?

A lower-looking gumline may sometimes be related to gum recession, but appearance alone doesn’t tell you whether there is a problem.

Gum recession occurs when the gum pulls away from the tooth, exposing more of the tooth surface and sometimes the root.

Signs worth paying attention to include:

• A noticeable change in your gumline
• Teeth appearing longer than they used to
• An exposed root surface
• New or persistent tooth sensitivity
• Bleeding gums
• Swollen or inflamed gums
• A tooth becoming loose

A dental professional can examine your gums and teeth and determine whether recession is present and whether further assessment or treatment may be appropriate.

What Does a Normal Gumline Look Like?

There isn’t a single gumline shape or height that applies to everyone.

The appearance of your gums can vary depending on your individual tooth shape, tooth position and oral anatomy.

It is also possible for the gumline to sit at slightly different levels around neighbouring teeth.

So, if one tooth appears to have a slightly different gum level from another, this doesn’t necessarily mean that gum recession is present.

A more useful question is whether the appearance has changed.

If you’ve noticed that a tooth is becoming more exposed or the gumline is changing, it’s worth having the area assessed.

What Does Gum Recession Look Like?

Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue pulls away from the tooth.

This can expose more of the tooth and, in some cases, part of the root surface.

You may notice:

A Tooth Appearing Longer

As the gumline moves away from the visible part of the tooth, more tooth structure may become exposed.

This can make the tooth appear longer than neighbouring teeth or longer than it did previously.

An Exposed Root

Gum recession can expose part of the tooth root.

Root surfaces differ from the enamel-covered crown of the tooth and may appear different in colour or texture.

Increased Sensitivity

Receding gums may be associated with sensitive teeth.

Healthdirect notes that when periodontitis causes gums to shrink away from the teeth, the exposed root surface may become sensitive, particularly to cold or sweet foods and drinks.

An Uneven or Changing Gumline

One tooth may appear to have a different gum level from neighbouring teeth.

The presence of an uneven gumline alone doesn’t confirm recession, but a noticeable change over time should be assessed.

Changes Around the Gumline

You may also notice wear or a groove near the gumline.

The Australian Dental Association notes that tooth wear near the gumline can occur and that gum recession can expose tooth structure that is more susceptible to wear.

These signs don’t necessarily tell you why the gumline has changed, so a dental professional can help determine what is occurring.

Why Are My Gums So Low?

There can be several possible reasons for a lower or changing gumline.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is one recognised cause of gum recession.

Periodontitis is a more advanced form of gum disease in which the tissues and bone supporting the teeth can be damaged.

The Australian Dental Association notes that periodontitis may cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which is known as gum recession.

Other possible signs of gum disease can include:

• Bleeding gums
• Puffy or swollen gums
• Bad breath
• Sensitive teeth
• Loose teeth

Not everyone with gum recession has gum disease, but gum health is an important part of the assessment.

Toothbrushing

Brushing technique can affect the tissues and tooth surfaces around the gumline.

The Australian Dental Association advises that toothbrushing may contribute to tooth wear near the gumline, particularly where excessive force or certain brushing techniques are used.

You don’t need to scrub hard to clean your teeth effectively.

Gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste is generally recommended.

Individual Gum and Tooth Anatomy

People naturally have different tooth shapes, gum contours and tissue characteristics.

This can affect how much of a tooth is visible and how the gumline appears.

A dental professional can assess whether the appearance represents your normal anatomy or whether there is evidence of recession.

Tooth Position

The position of a tooth can influence the appearance of the gumline and surrounding tissues.

If you notice a change in gum position around a particular tooth, a dental professional can assess the tooth, gum tissue and surrounding supporting structures.

Dental or Orthodontic Treatment

Changes to the position of teeth or dental treatment around the gumline can sometimes alter the appearance of the gums.

Whether treatment has contributed to a particular change requires an individual clinical assessment.

Clenching and Grinding

Clenching and grinding can place additional forces on teeth and restorations.

They should not automatically be assumed to be the cause of gum recession.

However, your dental professional may consider your bite and any clenching or grinding habits as part of a broader assessment of your teeth and gums.

Are Low Gums Always a Problem?

No.

The appearance of a gumline varies between individuals, and an uneven or lower-looking gumline doesn’t automatically mean disease or recession is present.

What is more important is whether there are signs of an oral health problem or whether the gumline has changed.

For example, it is worth having the area assessed if you notice:

• Increasing tooth exposure
• New sensitivity
• Bleeding or swelling
• A loose tooth
• A gumline that appears to be progressively changing

A dental professional can determine whether the gum position is simply part of your normal anatomy or whether further investigation is appropriate.

How Can I Tell If My Gums Are Actually Receding?

It can be difficult to accurately assess gum recession yourself.

You might notice changes such as:

• A tooth appearing longer
• More of the tooth becoming visible
• An exposed root surface
• New sensitivity
• Changes in the position of the gumline
• Bleeding or swollen gums
• A tooth feeling loose

If you have older photographs showing your smile or gumline, they may sometimes help you notice changes over time.

However, photos cannot replace a clinical assessment.

A dental professional can examine the gum tissue and surrounding teeth and, where necessary, take measurements or recommend further assessment.

Can Receding Gums Grow Back?

Gum tissue that has receded does not generally return to its previous position on its own.

What happens next depends on the cause, severity and individual circumstances.

Management may focus on:

• Improving oral hygiene
• Adjusting brushing technique
• Managing gum disease where present
• Managing sensitivity
• Monitoring the area for further change
• Protecting exposed tooth surfaces where appropriate

In some cases, periodontal treatment may be considered.

Procedures involving gum tissue may be appropriate for selected patients, but treatment depends on the individual clinical situation and isn’t necessary for everyone with gum recession.

A dental professional can explain the available options, including their potential benefits, risks and limitations.

What Can You Do About Low Gums?

Good daily oral hygiene is important.

The Australian Dental Association and Healthdirect recommend regular brushing and cleaning between the teeth as part of maintaining gum health.

You can:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Use a soft toothbrush
• Brush gently rather than scrubbing aggressively
• Clean between your teeth regularly
• Attend regular dental examinations
• Avoid smoking or vaping

If your gums bleed, continue to clean them gently rather than avoiding the area.

Healthdirect advises that bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease and recommends continuing gentle brushing and flossing while arranging appropriate dental care.

If you have sensitivity or notice a changing gumline, a dental professional can assess the area and discuss appropriate management.

When Should You See a Dental Professional?

Arrange an assessment if:

• Your gums appear to be receding
• A tooth has started looking noticeably longer
• You can see part of the root
• You have developed new or persistent sensitivity
• Your gums bleed regularly
• Your gums are persistently swollen or sore
• A tooth feels loose
• You are concerned about a change in your gumline

Healthdirect recommends seeing a dental professional promptly if you have swollen or bleeding gums or if your teeth feel loose.

Having your gums assessed doesn’t mean treatment will necessarily be required.

A dental professional may determine that the gumline is stable and healthy, or they may identify an issue that should be monitored or managed.

The Bottom Line

So, are your gums too low?

Not necessarily.

There isn’t one gumline height or shape that applies to everyone.

The more important consideration is whether your gumline has changed and whether there are other signs such as exposed root surfaces, sensitivity, bleeding, swelling or loose teeth.

Gum recession can occur for different reasons, including gum disease, and it is best assessed rather than diagnosed from appearance alone.

If you’ve noticed that a tooth looks longer or your gumline appears to be changing, a dental professional can examine the area and determine whether recession is present.

And if your gumline turns out to simply reflect your individual anatomy, it may not require any treatment at all.