When the gum recedes, the neck of the tooth is exposed. There is no enamel to protect it there, which is why the tooth reacts to cold, sweet things and touch. What helps: brushing more gently, a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and, in the practice, a protective varnish. It is important to find the cause, so that the gum does not recede further.
Updated: 14 November 2026
In short
- Soft brush, little pressure.
- A protective varnish or sealant takes away the sensitivity.
- Find the cause: brushing pressure, inflammation or grinding.
Where it comes from
- too much pressure or a hard brush when brushing
- inflammation of the tissues that hold the tooth (periodontitis)
- grinding and clenching
- naturally thin gums
Why the gum recedes, you can read in “Receding gums: what causes it, and what helps?”.
What we do
| Finding | Approach |
|---|---|
| sensitive tooth neck without a defect | fluoride varnish or sealant |
| notch at the tooth neck | a small composite filling that protects the tooth neck |
| grinding | night guard |
| inflammation | periodontitis treatment |
| severely receded gum | assessment of whether covering it with your own tissue is an option |
Often heard in our practice
“Will the gum grow back?”
Not on its own. But the recession can be stopped, and the tooth neck can be protected.
Show us the spot at your dental check-up.
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