How early can your gums start receding?

Any time.: Gum recession has several causes, one of which is trauma or chronic irritation from things such as hard toothbrushes, tongue rings, toothpicks, traumatic bite, etc. If you're experiencing recession and are concerned about it (which you should be) see your dentist and let the two of you work together to determine the cause and proper treatment.

Anytime: We usually see it later in life like the 40's, but some teens show up and already have signs of recession. Brushing too hard, grinding your teeth, orthodontic movement, and of course gum disease all can be etiologies of gum recession.