The answer to whether you can brush your gums is yes, but you must focus on the gumline with extreme gentleness. The main body of the gum tissue, called the attached gingiva, does not need rigorous cleaning. However, the narrow margin where the tooth meets the gum requires careful attention. Proper technique is a preventive measure to maintain periodontal health and avoid causing long-term damage.
The Primary Goal of Brushing
The objective of brushing is to mechanically disrupt plaque, the sticky, colorless film that constantly accumulates in the mouth. Plaque is a dense community of bacteria that thrives on tooth surfaces and along the gingival margin. This margin is the small crevice between the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue, serving as a prime location for bacterial colonization.
If plaque is not removed consistently, bacterial toxins irritate the gingival tissue, leading to inflammation called gingivitis. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar or calculus, which only a dental professional can remove. Cleaning the gumline prevents the initial stages of gum disease by breaking up this bacterial biofilm before it causes inflammation.
Proper Technique for Cleaning the Gumline
Achieving a clean gumline requires a specific and gentle method, often called the Modified Bass technique. Start by selecting a toothbrush with soft nylon bristles, as hard bristles can easily injure the delicate gum tissue. Position the brush head so the bristles are angled at about 45 degrees toward the gumline, ensuring they reach into the sulcus, the small pocket between the tooth and gum.
Instead of sweeping vigorously, use short, controlled, vibratory strokes, wiggling the brush back and forth slightly in one small area. This gentle vibration allows the soft bristle tips to dislodge plaque from the margin. After a few seconds, roll the brush toward the biting surface to sweep the debris away. This method emphasizes precision and light pressure.
Signs of Overbrushing and Gum Damage
Brushing too aggressively causes toothbrush abrasion, physically damaging both the gums and the teeth. A frequent consequence is gum recession, where the gum tissue pulls away from the tooth, making it appear longer. This exposes the softer root surface beneath the protective enamel layer.
The exposed root surface is more susceptible to wear and decay, often causing sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli. Overbrushing can also wear away enamel at the gumline, leading to notching or V-shaped indentations at the neck of the tooth. If toothbrush bristles are frayed before three months of use, it indicates excessive force.
Alternative Tools for Gum Health
While the toothbrush cleans the outer gumline, it cannot effectively reach the surfaces between the teeth. Cleaning these interproximal spaces requires complementary tools for comprehensive gum health. Dental floss remains effective for removing plaque from between tight-fitting teeth and just below the gumline.
For wider spaces, interdental brushes can be inserted to mechanically clean these larger gaps. Water flossers use a pressurized stream of water to flush out food particles and plaque from the gumline and between teeth. These alternatives are necessary complements to maintain the health of the entire gum structure.