When your gums start to wear away or pull back from your teeth, this is called gum recession. Receding gums expose more of your teeth or the roots of your teeth, and tooth sensitivity is usually the first sign that there’s a problem. Gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons, including genetics, brushing your teeth too hard, not cleaning your teeth frequently enough, smoking, grinding or clenching your teeth, and hormonal changes (in women). Don’t ignore tooth sensitivity and receding gums! It’s important to get proper treatment to avoid more serious potential problems, such as tooth loss.