Gum complaint · Rotterdam West

Receding gums

Are your gums receding and do your teeth look longer? Then the tooth necks become exposed and often turn sensitive. Receded gum tissue does not grow back on its own, but further recession can usually be stopped. Learn what causes it, and how Tandarts West, your dentist in Rotterdam West, helps you.

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Dentist at Tandarts West in Rotterdam West assessing receding gums and the exposed, sensitive tooth necks of a patient. New patients welcome.
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Receded gums do not grow back on their own
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More common above the age of 55
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Do receding gums grow back?

No, receded gum tissue does not grow back on its own. The exposed tooth neck stays exposed. Further recession can be stopped by tackling the cause, such as brushing too hard, inflammation or tartar.

What are receding gums?

Normally your gums sit like a tight collar around each tooth. With receding gums that edge slowly moves down. The tooth necks and sometimes the roots become exposed, and that makes your teeth look longer. Many people only notice it when a tooth looks different or turns sensitive.

Those exposed tooth necks are more vulnerable than the enamel on the rest of the tooth. That is why sensitive tooth necks often appear with cold, heat, sweet and sour. A short sharp twinge that fades again is typical of recession.

The key message: receded gum tissue does not grow back on its own. What is gone stays gone. But further recession can usually be stopped once we find and tackle the cause. At Tandarts West in Rotterdam West, with patients from Delfshaven, Middelland and Coolhaven, we look at where it comes from in your case and hold it back.

Recognise

How do you recognise receding gums?

These are the signs you usually see or feel first.

1

Longer teeth

The gum line drops, the tooth necks become exposed and your teeth look longer.

2

Sensitive necks

A short sharp twinge with cold, heat, sweet or sour that quickly fades again.

3

Visible edge

At the gum line you see a darker or harder edge, where the root begins.

4

Bleeding or swelling

If the gums also bleed or swell, an inflammation may be behind it.

Have it assessed with bleeding, red, swollen or soft gums, with teeth that become loose or shift, with fast recession or lasting pain. These can be signs of periodontitis. This information is general guidance and does not replace personal advice from your dentist.

Causes

What makes gums recede?

Usually several things play a role at once. These are the best known.

Brushing too hard

With too much force or a hard brush you effectively brush the gums away. A common cause, and thankfully easy to adjust.

Ageing and braces

Over the years gums recede more often, most above the age of 55. Sometimes it also happens after orthodontic treatment.

Watch out: not always simply brushing too hard

Receding gums are not always simply brushing too hard. They can also be a sign of periodontitis, an inflammation that affects the supporting tissue. Teeth grinding can put extra strain on teeth as well. That is why we first look at where it really comes from.

At Tandarts West

How we treat receding gums

We stop the recession and soothe the sensitive tooth necks.

1

Find the cause

We assess the gums and look for the cause: brushing technique, an inflammation or something else.

3

Cleaning

If tartar or an inflammation is behind it, we clean professionally so the gums can settle.

4

Sensitivity

We treat the sensitive tooth necks. With strong recession we discuss coverage with a graft.

With advanced recession a dentist or periodontist can sometimes cover the root surgically with a gum graft, which is called root coverage. That is not always possible and does not always succeed. Read more about healthy tooth necks at sensitive teeth and periodontology.

Cost

What does the treatment of receding gums cost?

The NZa sets the rates. What you pay depends on what is needed.

Assessment and advice

NZa rate
Cause and brushing instruction
  • Clear where the recession comes from
  • Personal brushing advice and a softer brush
  • Aimed at stopping further recession
Make an appointment

Cleaning and sensitivity

NZa rate
Cleaning and tooth necks
  • Professional cleaning with inflammation or tartar
  • Estimate in advance with a larger treatment
  • Payment in instalments possible via Infomedics
View the rates

Patients up to 18: examination and treatment covered via basic insurance. For adults via supplementary dental insurance. Questions about cost?

Frequently asked questions

Receding gums · frequently asked questions

Do receding gums grow back?
No, receded gum tissue does not grow back on its own. The tooth neck that has become exposed stays exposed. The good news: further recession can usually be stopped once we tackle the cause. With a strongly receded spot a dentist or periodontist can sometimes cover the root surgically, but that is not always possible and does not always succeed.
What can you do about receding gums?
The most important thing is to tackle the cause, so that no more gum tissue disappears. Brush more gently with a soft brush and a calm technique, and have tartar or an inflammation treated professionally. We soothe sensitive tooth necks with targeted care, and with strong recession we discuss whether coverage with a gum graft is worthwhile. You cannot make the gum grow back yourself, but preventing it from getting worse is usually possible.
What makes my gums recede?
Often brushing too hard or incorrectly, but also gum inflammation or periodontitis, tartar and ageing. Sometimes the gums recede after orthodontic treatment. Usually several things play a role at the same time. That is why we first look at where it comes from in your case before we change anything about the approach.
Can I stop my gums receding further?
Usually yes. If the cause is a brushing technique that is too hard, a softer brush with a gentle technique already helps a lot. If inflammation or tartar is behind it, we tackle that with a professional cleaning. The gum tissue that is already gone does not return, but this way you prevent more from disappearing.
Does toothpaste for sensitive teeth help against receding gums?
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth can reduce the sensitivity of exposed tooth necks, and that is pleasant. But it does not cure the recession and does not bring the gum back. A gel, oil pulling or another toothpaste do not do that either. See it as help with the symptom, not as a solution for the cause.
What is a gum graft and does it always work?
With advanced recession a dentist or periodontist can cover the exposed root surgically, often with a gum graft taken from elsewhere in the mouth. This is called root coverage. It is not possible for every tooth and does not always succeed. Whether it is useful and feasible depends on the spot and the cause. We discuss that honestly in advance.
Are receding gums always from brushing too hard?
No. Brushing too hard is a common cause, but certainly not the only one. Receding gums can also be a sign of periodontitis, an inflammation that affects the supporting tissue. That is why it is wise to have it assessed, especially if your gums also bleed or are swollen. That way you know for sure what is going on.
Are receding gums dangerous?
Receding gums are usually not immediately dangerous, but they are a signal to take seriously. The exposed tooth neck is more sensitive and more vulnerable to root decay. If an inflammation or periodontitis is behind it, the supporting tissue can break down further and teeth can eventually become loose. That is why it is wise to have the cause assessed, especially if your gums also bleed, are red or swollen.
When should I see the dentist about receding gums?
Have it assessed if your gums bleed, are red, swollen or soft, if teeth become loose or shift, if the recession is fast or if you have lasting pain. These can be signs of an inflammation that needs attention. Even without these signs a check-up is useful, because then we tackle the cause in time.

Medically reviewed by Nilgun Dogan, dentist, BIG 69916329402. Last reviewed on 14 July 2026. Sources: KNMT via allesoverhetgebit.nl, the Dutch Society of Periodontology (NVvP) and the NZa rate decision 2026.

Are your gums receding? Have it assessed.

One appointment shows where the recession comes from, how we stop it and how we soothe your sensitive tooth necks.

Register Call 010 846 6539
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This may also be useful

Looking for a different complaint? See the full overview of all dental symptoms.

Sensitive teeth

Exposed tooth necks often hurt with cold and sweet. This is how we soothe that.

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Gum inflammation

Bleeding or swollen gums can make gums recede. Still reversible in time.

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Periodontitis

Receding gums can be a sign of this deeper inflammation of the supporting tissue.

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