Oral Health Education

Why the Gumline Matters

Dental professionals ask you to angle your brush toward the gumline for a reason. Here is what happens there, and why it deserves your attention.

Educational content about general oral health — not medical advice.

Plaque forms every day

Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria. It forms on teeth all the time and collects most where the gums meet the teeth. The gumline is also the spot people most often miss when brushing. If plaque is not cleaned away, it keeps building.

Gums react quickly

In a classic 1965 study, healthy volunteers stopped brushing and flossing. Within 10 to 21 days, every one of them developed inflamed gums, known as gingivitis. When they resumed their normal cleaning, their gums returned to health.1

Gum disease is common

42%

Ongoing gum inflammation can progress to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 42% of U.S. adults aged 30 and older have periodontitis.2

It can affect your breath

Bacteria along the gumline can also contribute to bad breath. If bad breath doesn’t go away, talk with your dentist.

Simple habits that help

  1. Brush twice a day, with the bristles angled at 45° toward the gumline.
  2. Use gentle, short strokes. Scrubbing hard can irritate gums.
  3. Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner.
  4. See your dentist and dental hygienist regularly.
  5. If you notice bleeding, swelling, or tenderness that doesn’t go away, book a dental visit.

Healthy habits start with clean gums. Brought to you by MouthDaisy™.

References
  1. Löe H, Theilade E, Jensen SB. Experimental gingivitis in man. Journal of Periodontology. 1965;36:177–187.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gum Disease Facts.