“What happens if your gums recede too much?”

Good question. You must keep in mind that beneath the gum is the bone supporting the tooth. If you lost enough gum you would be endangering the longevity of your tooth staying in your mouth. This though is a rare occurrence. There are 2 types of gum tissue-attached and unattached (alveolar mucosa.)As long as you have enough attached, you should be fine.

If your gingiva recedes, your roots become exposed. You are likely to have some sensitivity to almost anything. It can be caused by aggressive brushing, aging, periodontal disease, a bad bite, and crowded teeth. Also, be aware that the root of your teeth, when exposed, becomes 60% more likely to have cavities since they don't have the enamel layer to protect them. In this case, your oral hygiene and some fluoride products should be used routinely. In the event the gingiva recedes "too much," we assume the bone that supports your tooth in the socket is also receding. Treatment consists from a simple change in oral hygiene products against sensitive teeth to gingival graft surgery to replace the portion of the receded area and provide root coverage again. A consult with a hygienist and dentist is strongly recommended to help you diagnose the cause of your receding gingiva and provide the best treatment.

If your gums recede too severely (and obviously this is age dependent), you can undergo a procedure to raise up the tissue to its former position. This is called gum grafting. If severe recession and if not too bad, can have pinhole technique done, which is less invasive. You can check out both of these on the internet.

Your teeth can become sensitive, you can also get bone loss, and ultimately lose your teeth if continued.

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Dr. Laurentis Barnett

Receding gums are a sign of more problems yet to come. Visit your American Dental Association dentist for a diagnosis on what is causing your receding gums.

Russell A. Sassack, D.D.S. 

Yes, teeth will become sensitive and it can become uncomfortable. once the gum tissue is goe there is no retention for the tooth to stay stable in the bone and you risk the possibility of the tooth becoming loose and eventually falling out completely.

Exposure of root surfaces can lead to sensitivity and root caries.