Preserve your gums for life

From an evolutionary standpoint, gums are designed to last only 30-40 years – just enough for early human survival rates. Today, with our longer lifespans, proactive care is essential to keep them healthy well beyond that timeline.

Gums naturally recede over time, influenced by factors like gum disease and overbrushing. Balancing effective brushing without causing harm is the key to maintaining their health.

Unlike teeth, where dentistry offers excellent solutions, once gum tissue recedes it’s nearly impossible to restore it simply, affordably, or reliably.

We often see gum recession caused by overbrushing. Many believe focusing solely on brushing teeth ensures good oral health. Instead, this can lead to gum disease between teeth and gum recession on the outer surfaces.

1. Before you brush your teeth, use Tepe interdental pics and push it between the teeth – never force it. In most patients will they will not go between the upper front teeth until they are older.
2. If your gums bleed, you have gum disease. Note the bleeding points – they are often at teeth number 6 and 3’s and lower front teeth.

1. Brush your teeth.
2. To cure your gum disease, use Curasept gel on a small soft brush. Massage the gel BETWEEN the teeth where the gums were bleeding. Do this from BOTH the outside and the inside of the teeth.

1. Use the Tepe Pic with some gel on it and push this gently where the gums were bleeding to ensure the gel gets to the imflammation areas.
2. Do this TWICE a day till the gums stop bleeding plus 3 more days.

1. If your gums do not bleed, in all probability the gums are healthy.
2. This means instead of doing this every day, try 6 days a week. If there is not bleeding try 5 days a week. Many of our patients can get this down to 1-2 times a week.
3. By finding the right balance, we minimise gum recession.

1. Use Tepe Brushes for larger spaces.
2. Certain teeth are more predisposed to interdental bleeding e.g. first molars, canines, restorations ending near gums.

1. NOTES:
   1. 1. Be kind to your gums.
      2. The frequency of interdental cleaning generally increases with age due to gum recession.
      3. You will get to know which parts of you mouth are more prone and where you need to check more often.
      4. It can occasionally give false readings about 5% of the time if done correctly but no need to worry as it will get picked up the second occasion.
      5. This does not replace your routine visits with your dentist or hygienist.

“Be Kind to Your Gums: The Key to Healthy Teeth”

Most patients tend to overbrush their teeth. This happens because the common message focuses on “brushing your teeth,” or they aim for whiter, cleaner teeth by using hard electric or manual brushes. Unfortunately, overbrushing can harm your gums, especially around the lower front teeth, which often have thin gum tissue.

Our advice is simple: “Be kind to your gums.” Using the right brush is crucial for protecting delicate gum areas:

• Baby brushes (0-3 years): The softest option, ideal for the lower front teeth. Available at Sainsbury’s or Tesco for just £1.
• Infant brushes (3-5 years): A great alternative for gentle brushing.
• TePe soft brushes: Perfect for adults seeking gentle gum care.

Prioritise gum health by choosing soft brushes designed to protect your smile for life.

1. My favoured is Phillips Sonicare, as it is the most gentle. Use it like a hovercraft, barely touching the gums. See more info HERE
2. If using a Braun/Oral B brush – use a sensitive head.
3. Note the sensor on the brushes is an average – it may be too high for you.
4. There is no electric brush that gets to the important area between the teeth.

Its ALL ABOUT BALANCE. If you occasionally get gum bleeding, I think this is better than over brushing as gum recession is harder to correct.