Receding gums are one of the signs of poor dental hygiene and periodontal/gum disease. Other causes are heavy brushing with hard bristled toothbrushes, poor jaw/bite alignment and teeth grinding (bruxism). There are also associations with hormonal imbalance in pregnancy and gum disease. I have seen this issue with people who are long term users of dentures. In this case, receding gums may be more of an injury to the gumline. First steps for healing is to have good dental hygiene and consistent visits to the dentist so that the teeth can be cleaned below the gumline. The microbiome in your mouth is important for the health of the gums. Periodontal disease and gum disease is common in countries of malnourished children and adults. So, proper nutrition plays a vital role in supplying the body with the nutrients it need to heal and repair damaged tissue.