Receding Gums: Real Root Causes You Might Be Missing

Receding Gums: Why It’s Happening and What to Do About It

Let’s talk about something people don’t like to mention, until it’s causing full-blown panic:

Receding gums.

Yup. That moment when your gum line starts tiptoeing away from your teeth like it’s trying to ghost your enamel.

And the first thing people usually ask is: “Am I brushing too hard?!”

Which sure, maybe. But also... maybe not.

Because receding gums are rarely about just one thing. Like most things in functional health, gum recession is connected to a bunch of other factors.

So let’s dig into the real causes of receding gums, and what to do about it (without switching to a toothbrush so soft it feels like you're brushing with a bunny).

What Is Gum Recession?

Receding gums happen when your gum tissue pulls away from your teeth, exposing more of the root surface.

That root doesn’t have the same hard enamel as the crown of your tooth, so it’s more vulnerable to:

• Decay

• Sensitivity

• Serious side-eye from your hygienist

• 
  

Sometimes it creeps up slowly. Sometimes it shows up fast—like after one overly enthusiastic flossing phase during your clean-girl era.

But the real question is: Why is it happening in the first place?

Root Causes of Receding Gums (Pun Intended)

Overbrushing

Yes, this one’s legit. If your toothbrush looks like it survived a wind tunnel, it might be time to ease up. Aggressive brushing can wear down both enamel and gum tissue. Pro tip: Use a soft-bristled brush and pretend your gums are made of tissue paper, not tire rubber.

Mouth Breathing

Breathing through your mouth dries everything out. Chronically dry gums are more prone to inflammation and shrinkage. It’s like trying to keep houseplants alive in the Sahara.

Clenching and Grinding (a.k.a. The Jaw Gym)

Nighttime grinding or daytime clenching puts pressure on the ligaments that support your teeth. Over time, this can lead to bone loss and gum recession, especially around the canines. (Source: PMC – Bruxism-Related Signs and Periodontal Disease)

Inflammation + Blood Sugar Imbalances

Your gums are super sensitive to inflammation. If you're dealing with:

• Blood sugar swings

• Chronic stress

• Low-grade systemic inflammation

Your mouth might be taking the hit. (Source: NIDDK – Diabetes and Gum Disease)

Nutrient Deficiencies

Gums need vitamin C, collagen, and co-factors like zinc and magnesium to stay plump and resilient. If you’re running on processed food and coffee, your gums may show signs before the rest of your body does. (Source: Harvard Public Health – Oral Health)

🩽

Bone Loss

This one's often missed: When the bone that supports your teeth begins to break down—due to periodontal disease, inflammation, or clenching—the gum tissue naturally follows. Think of the gums like a blanket over the bone: when the foundation shrinks, the blanket recedes too. (Source: NCBI – Periodontal Disease and Bone Loss)

What Can You Do to Support Receding Gums?

Here's the good news: You can support your gums in some pretty simple ways:

• Switch to a soft toothbrush. No shame. Just switch it.

• Breathe through your nose. Use mouth tape at night if you need to (I know—it sounds wild, but it works).

• Chill your jaw. Magnesium, stress support, and body awareness can help you stop clenching your way through deadlines.

• Support your nutrients. Leafy greens, berries, collagen-rich foods, and mineral-rich bone broth go a long way.

• Ask better questions. Receding gums might be a symptom of something deeper. Let’s look at the big picture instead of just swapping toothpaste.

Real Talk

Receding gums aren’t always about being "bad" at brushing. They’re often your body’s way of saying: "Hey, I need some love down here."

So instead of panicking or pretending it’s not happening, let’s get curious. Your body’s been talking through your mouth, this helps you understand what it’s saying.

Let’s DIG Deep and see what your gums are trying to tell you.

Take the next step and uncover the bigger story behind your symptoms.

Check out the mini-course →

—Khristina Maureen

Your Functional Nutrition Ally