Teeth last as long as the gums and bone around them. Lose that support and nothing else you do matters. The good news: gum disease is almost entirely preventable, and early stages are reversible with good hygiene and regular cleanings.
The basics that work
Brush twice daily with a soft brush, floss daily, and keep your scheduled cleanings. That alone prevents the vast majority of gum problems.
Electric brushes help many patients reach where manual brushing misses. Water flossers are excellent around bridges, implants, and braces.
If your gums bleed
Bleeding gums are not a signal to brush gentler — they are a signal to clean more thoroughly. Bleeding means inflammation, and inflammation heals when plaque is consistently removed at the gumline.
If bleeding persists after a couple weeks of careful home care, book a cleaning. Tartar below the gumline cannot be removed at home.
Why professional cleanings matter
Professional cleanings remove the hardened tartar that brushing cannot reach and reset the bacterial balance in your mouth. For most patients, two a year is enough; for those with gum disease, more frequent visits keep things stable.
