Gum Recession Treatment in Harrow

Gum recession is when the gum tissue around a tooth pulls back, exposing more of the tooth and sometimes the root underneath. It tends to happen slowly, which is why most people notice it as a tooth that suddenly looks longer, or a spot that has become sharply sensitive to cold, rather than as a single dramatic change. Left alone it does not reverse itself. Treated early, most cases are managed without surgery at all.

This guide covers why gums recede, how to tell whether yours need attention, the full range of treatment from simple desensitising care through to gum grafting, and what to expect at each stage. At Aqua Dental Clinic in Hatch End, every case starts with an honest assessment of what your gums actually need, not a default to the most expensive option.

What causes gum recession

Recession is rarely down to one thing. The common causes overlap, and knowing which applies to you shapes the right treatment.

• Gum disease. Ongoing gingivitis or periodontitis breaks down the tissue and bone supporting your teeth, and recession follows. This is the most common cause in adults.
• Brushing too hard. A firm brush and heavy pressure wears away gum tissue over years, particularly on the outer surfaces of the teeth you brush most vigorously.
• Teeth grinding or clenching. The extra force on your teeth and gums can contribute to recession over time, alongside the tooth wear it causes.
• Genetics and gum thickness. Some people are simply born with thinner gum tissue that recedes more easily, even with good care.
• Orthodontic movement. Teeth that move outside the bone that supports them, either naturally or during brace or aligner treatment, can develop recession on that side.
• Smoking and tobacco use. This reduces blood flow to the gums and slows healing, making recession both more likely and harder to treat.
• Piercings and habitual damage. A lip or tongue piercing that rubs against the gum, or habits like using a toothpick aggressively, can wear a localised patch of recession.

Signs your gums may be receding

Recession is easy to miss early on because it causes no pain at first. Look out for:

• A tooth that looks longer than it used to, or an uneven gumline
• Sharp sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet foods, especially near the gumline
• A visible notch or groove where the tooth meets the gum
• The root surface showing as a slightly darker, yellower band at the base of a tooth
• Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss

If any of this sounds familiar, it is worth having it checked rather than waiting. Recession does not heal on its own, and catching it early is what keeps the non-surgical options on the table. Our page on the early signs of gum disease covers the wider picture if gum disease is part of what is going on.

Is it always gum disease?

No. Recession caused by heavy brushing, thin gum tissue, or a piercing can happen in a mouth that is otherwise healthy and free of gum disease. That distinction matters, because the treatment for a brushing habit is completely different from the treatment for periodontitis. Part of a proper assessment is working out which of these is actually driving your case before recommending anything.

Non-surgical options come first

Surgery is not the first answer for most recession, and it should not be. Depending on what is causing yours and how advanced it is, non-surgical care is often enough on its own, or is the necessary first step before anything else is considered.

Treating the cause

If gum disease is driving the recession, a thorough hygiene appointment with scaling and root planing to clean below the gumline is usually the starting point. If brushing technique or a hard-bristled brush is the culprit, changing that alone can stop further recession, even though it will not bring back what has already been lost. If grinding is a factor, that gets addressed in its own right.

Managing sensitivity

A desensitising treatment or specific toothpaste can settle the sharp sensitivity that often comes with exposed root surfaces, without doing anything surgical at all.

Covering an exposed root with bonding

Where a single tooth has a small area of exposed, sensitive root and the gum itself does not need to be rebuilt, composite bonding can cover the exposed surface and improve both sensitivity and appearance without surgery. It is a more limited fix than a graft and will not restore the gum tissue itself, but for the right case it is a fast, affordable option.

When a gum graft is the right answer

A gum graft becomes the sensible option when recession is advanced, continuing to progress despite treating the cause, exposing enough root to put the tooth at risk, or causing sensitivity and appearance concerns that non-surgical care cannot resolve. The aim is to rebuild the lost tissue and, ideally, stop further recession at that site for good.

There are a few recognised approaches, and which one suits you depends on the site and how much donor tissue is needed:

Type of graft	How it works	Typically used for
Connective tissue graft	Tissue is taken from beneath the surface of the palate and placed over the exposed root	The most common approach, especially where good colour match matters
Free gingival graft	A thin layer of tissue is taken directly from the surface of the palate	Building up thin gum tissue generally, not just at one tooth
Pedicle graft	Gum tissue is shifted from next to the affected tooth rather than taken from elsewhere	Cases with enough healthy gum tissue immediately nearby

Which type is appropriate, and whether more than one tooth needs treating, is something to work through at your assessment rather than decide from a website. Where a case is more complex than we would normally manage in practice, we will say so and refer you to a specialist periodontist rather than take it on regardless.

What happens during treatment

Gum graft surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you are awake but should not feel pain during the procedure itself, only pressure. The donor tissue, whether taken from your palate or repositioned from nearby gum, is placed over the area of recession and secured with small stitches. The whole procedure for a single tooth is typically completed within a single appointment.

Recovery after a gum graft

Most people manage the first few days with over-the-counter pain relief and some swelling, similar to other minor gum surgery. A soft diet is recommended for the first week or so, along with gentle, careful cleaning around the area rather than avoiding it entirely. Full healing of the graft site generally takes a few weeks, though initial comfort improves well before that. You will be given aftercare instructions specific to your graft and the site involved, and that guidance matters more than any general timeline.

Can gum recession be prevented from getting worse?

Yes, in most cases. Switching to a soft-bristled brush and a gentler technique, treating any underlying gum disease, addressing grinding if it applies to you, and keeping up with regular hygiene visits all reduce the chance of further recession at other sites. Prevention is genuinely the cheapest and least invasive form of treatment there is.

NHS or private treatment?

Non-surgical periodontal care, including scaling and root planing, generally falls under NHS Band 2, currently £76.60 in England, when it is clinically necessary. Whether surgical gum grafting itself is available through the NHS depends on your case: it needs to be judged clinically necessary rather than driven mainly by appearance, and access to NHS periodontal surgery can involve a referral and a wait. For many patients, particularly where the goal is protecting a specific tooth without delay, private treatment is the more practical route. We are open about cost and options at your consultation, and you can see our general pricing on the fee guide, with payment plans available if you would rather spread the cost.

Frequently asked questions

Can gum recession be reversed without surgery?

The gum tissue itself will not grow back without a graft, but non-surgical treatment can stop it getting worse and manage the sensitivity that comes with it. For many people that is enough, and surgery is reserved for more advanced or progressing cases.

Is gum graft surgery painful?

The procedure itself is done under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during it. Afterwards, mild to moderate discomfort for a few days is normal and manageable with the pain relief and aftercare advice you are given.

How long does a gum graft last?

A successful graft is generally a long-term, stable result. How long it lasts well also depends on keeping up with good oral hygiene and, if gum disease was the original cause, keeping that under control afterwards.

Does the NHS cover gum grafts?

Sometimes, if the treatment is judged clinically necessary rather than cosmetic, though access can involve a referral and a wait. Many patients choose private treatment for a faster, more predictable route, particularly when a specific tooth needs protecting.

Reviewed by the clinical team at Aqua Dental Clinic, Hatch End. This page is general information and does not replace an in-person assessment. NHS charge band correct as of 2026 and subject to change; confirm current NHS eligibility and availability directly.