Ask a Dentist: Causes and Cures for Shrinking Gums

If you're getting long in the tooth, pay attention, since it could have broader implications for your health

Long before we noticed a problem in the mirror,  a space had developed between the gum and tooth called “pocketing.santypan/Shutterstock

A lingering glance in the bathroom mirror may bring you the unsettling realization that your gums are shrinking or red, or that your teeth are longer. What’s going on?

Truth be told, it didn’t happen overnight. The condition may have been quietly developing for years, but now, it’s clearly visible. Someone may have said something about your bad breath, which can also prompt a closer look in the mirror.