Healthy gums are built day by day. The good news is that a few simple routines can lower inflammation, protect the bone that holds your teeth, and keep your smile strong for decades. Start with these five habits you can do in minutes.
1) Brush with technique, not force
Plaque lives where the tooth and gum meet, so the goal is precision rather than scrubbing hard.
- Hold the brush at about a 45 degree angle to the gumline
- Use small, gentle strokes that sweep plaque away from the gums
- Brush for a full two minutes, morning and night
- Choose a soft or extra soft brush head and replace it every three months or sooner if bristles splay
- Use a fluoride toothpaste and spit without rinsing to leave helpful minerals behind
Why this matters to you: Correct technique interrupts the plaque that sparks gingivitis. Less inflammation means fewer bleeding points and a lower risk of bone loss and recession over time.
2) Clean between your teeth every day
Your brush cannot reach between teeth where gum disease often starts.
- Pick a method you will actually use: floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser
- If you choose interdental brushes, use the largest size that fits comfortably without forcing it
- Glide under the gumline with a gentle C shape when flossing
- Do this at least once a day, ideally before bed so your gums rest clean overnight
Why this matters to you: Daily interdental cleaning reduces bleeding and helps keep pockets shallow, which protects the bone supporting your teeth.
3) Keep a neutral mouth between meals
What you do during the day either fuels plaque or makes life hard for it.
- After coffee, soda, or a snack, swish with plain water to dilute acids
- Choose sugar free gum with xylitol to stimulate saliva if your mouth feels dry
- Limit all day sipping and grazing so teeth are not bathed in acid
- At night, consider a fluoride rinse if your periodontist recommends it
Why this matters to you: A neutral pH and steady saliva flow slow bacterial growth and strengthen enamel that protects the tooth and the gumline.
4) Relax your bite and protect against clenching
Jaw tension can irritate gums and wear away protective enamel leaving the tooth susceptible to cavities, fracture, and even tooth loss.
- During the day, check in every few hours: lips together, teeth apart, tongue resting on the palate
- Add a quick stretch for your jaw and neck when you stand up from your desk
- If you wake with sore jaw muscles or notice new chipping or notches near the gumline, ask about a custom nightguard
- Keep caffeine and screens lower in the evening to reduce nighttime grinding triggers
Why this matters to you: A relaxed bite reduces micro trauma to gums, preserves tooth structure where gums are most vulnerable, and helps prevent tooth loss.
5) Do a 30 second gum check each night
Small changes are easy to miss until they are not small.
- Look for redness, puffiness, or shiny tissue at the gumline
- Note any bleeding when you brush or floss
- Pay attention to new spaces between teeth or food catching areas
- Jot a quick note on your phone if something looks different, then mention it at your next visit
Why this matters to you: Catching changes early helps you and your periodontist act before inflammation becomes bone loss.
Signs your gums want attention
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Tenderness or swelling along the gumline
- Bad breath that lingers despite good home care
- Teeth that feel longer or more sensitive near the gumline
If you notice these signs, do not wait. Early gingivitis is reversible. Untreated inflammation can progress to periodontitis, which can threaten the bone that supports your teeth.
How a periodontist helps you succeed
- Identify early problem areas with precise measurements and imaging
- Determine if and how your medical health is causing or increasing your gum inflammation and mouth issues. If needed, your medical doctor(s) will be consulted to determine the best course of individualized treatment.
- Personalize your home routine with the right tools for your mouth, not a one size plan
- Treat active inflammation with targeted, nonsurgical therapy and, when needed, regenerative procedures
- Protect against clenching related damage with a custom nightguard and bite adjustments when appropriate
- Set a maintenance interval that matches your biology and risk level
The Bonacci difference
Here in our local area, Dr. Fred Bonacci brings a rare combination of advanced training to your care. With a national and International office viewpoint, you will have the same diagnostic and treatment options available to you locally as if you were being treated in an office anywhere throughout the country or internationally. He is board certified by the American Board of Periodontology, is a Fellow of the International Team for Implantology, and is trained in minimally invasive techniques such as VISTA or SMART, and uses Periosocpy technology to non-surgically diagnose and/or remove infection below the gumline. He also maintains membership in the International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgery.
Why this matters to you: You receive specialty level diagnostics and a full menu of treatment options designed for comfort, predictability, and long term stability. That support makes it much easier to turn the five daily habits above into a lasting routine.
Your next step
If your gums bleed, feel puffy, or just seem off, schedule a comprehensive periodontal evaluation. You will leave with a clear picture of your gum health and a simple plan for daily habits that fit your real life.
This blog is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized diagnosis or treatment. If you have gum concerns, please consult a periodontist.
