Oral b gum brush

A soft-bristled gum-care brush can clean the gumline gently when used with light pressure and a small, controlled motion.

The gumline is where plaque collects where enamel meets gingiva, and a brush head must reach this shallow edge without scrubbing it. Powered oscillating or sonic heads can help some people, but manual brushing is also effective when the technique is thorough.

Choose a soft or extra-soft head, angle the bristles toward the gumline, and use short gentle movements over two or three teeth at a time. Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces, then clean between teeth with floss or an interdental brush suited to the spaces.

Book an examination when bleeding continues despite gentle daily cleaning, or when gums are swollen, tender, receding, or producing pus. A dentist or hygienist can distinguish plaque-related inflammation from calculus, trauma, or disease around a tooth.

Ask which brush-head firmness and interdental size fit your gums and tooth spacing. Ask whether your brushing pressure is causing abrasion or recession and whether a professional cleaning is needed.