You may not realize that persistent sore, swollen, red, or bleeding gums, tooth pain or sensitivity and bad breath are warning signs of periodontal disease - a serious infection that, left untreated, may lead to tooth loss as well as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and premature/underweight babies.  Receding gums are a major indicator of periodontal disease. Receding gums are common, 75% Americans have them. Receding gums should not be ignored, but should be taken as indication that you begin immediate treatment to stop the progression of periodontal disease.  And, in most cases, it doesn't cause any pain and therefore goes unnoticed . Most cases of receding gums can be effectively treated with proper oral hygiene. Luckily, there are home treatments that can effectively stop the progression of gum recession. With superior oral hygiene, receding gums that lead to advanced periodontal disease can be almost entirely avoided.