Q. I have suffered from receeding gums for years and have had deep cleaning treatment at sheffield teaching hospital. i m 43 years old. i have nearly always used a sonic toothbrush and for the last 3 years indent brushes and dental floss. when i was about 21 i had the skin that attaches the bottom lip cut because the dentist thought that it may be pulling the gum down. it made no difference. My dad suffered the same and had all his teeth out at 22, and his father before that at a similar age. Is it possible for this to be a hereditary factor.