As with most things, solid foundations are of great importance. When it comes to teeth, gum and the underlying bone form their foundation. As gums recede they leave teeth vulnerable to spaces and loosening. In addition, as gums recede, they cannot be grown back! So prevention really is the best medicine.
Regular scale and clean appointments, in addition to regular brushing and flossing, can help to keep tartar and calculus to a minimum and reduce the risk of unwanted recession and tooth loss.