Symptoms of receding gums may often stay dormant for many years, and even for decades. Since this condition progresses very slowly the sufferer gets used to what they see in the mirror, and may not notice the early symptoms of this disorder. When the years pass, and the sufferer does notice the symptoms, the condition is usually already in its advanced stages. Unfortunately, the longer the disorder had a chance to progress, the harder it will be to treat it.

Receding Gums Symptoms are:

Sensitive teeth: sensitive teeth develop because of the exposure of the sensitive roots. The upper part of a tooth is better protected with enamel (pulp covered by dentin covered by enamel). The root of a tooth is protected by a thinner cementum (pulp covered by dentin covered by cementum). This layer is much thinner than enamel, and is composed of microscopic channels (dentin tubules) with a certain degree of permeability. Once dentin and dentin tubules become exposed, they can result in painful and sensitive teeth, which additionally will be prone to caries (decay and cavities).

Longer teeth: since the gums are pulling away, the teeth of the sufferer most often will start looking longer.

Exposed roots: the roots of the teeth may become visible, and they will often have a yellowish color to them. This can be explained by the fact that dentin, located immediately below cementum on the roots of the teeth, has a vivid yellow hue to it. This layer is even more translucent than enamel, and thus it will show the yellow color of dentin on the exposed roots.

Spaces between teeth: since the gum lines are receding, they no longer cover the spaces between the teeth, making these spaces seem quite large.

Cavities underneath the gum line: symptoms of receding gums may often indicate the presence of another associated disorder in the same person. If together with receding gums there are also present gingivitis, periodontitis, and some other dental conditions, together they can result in the development of cavities beneath the gums.

Symptoms of associated gingivitis include inflamed gums (puffy/red/swollen), bleeding  gums at the time of brushing/flossing, and chronic bad breath. It often happens that gingivitis (swelling of the gums) masks receding gums, and treating it helps to reveal the receding of the gum lines.

It is important to start acting with the earliest warning signs of receding gums without waiting for the symptoms of a full-fledged receding gum disorder, in order to stop it easier and faster.

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