Fun gums teeth and toothbrush

Healthy gums fit closely around teeth; gentle brushing and cleaning between teeth remove plaque without scraping the gumline.

Healthy gums are usually firm and fit closely around the teeth, while plaque left at the gumline can cause redness, swelling, and bleeding. Use a soft-bristled brush with fluoride toothpaste, gentle pressure, and daily interdental cleaning.

Plaque is a sticky biofilm containing bacteria that forms on tooth surfaces and along the gingival margin. If it remains, the immune response can inflame the gingiva; continued inflammation can allow periodontal tissues and bone to become involved.

Brush all tooth surfaces with small, controlled movements aimed at the gumline, and clean between teeth with floss or an appropriately sized interdental brush. Replace a worn brush, avoid aggressive scrubbing, and arrange professional removal of hardened calculus that home brushing cannot remove.

Ask whether the findings are plaque gingivitis, periodontal disease, trauma from brushing, or another condition. Ask which brush and interdental size fit your mouth, whether calculus is present, and how often periodontal measurements should be repeated.