Round-tipped bristles may provide more protection for sensitive gums. [3] X Research source

Many labels do not display the RDA. Either look up the product’s RDA online, or just stay away from whitening toothpastes, which tend to be the most abrasive. Some studies suggest that toothpaste made from hydrogen peroxide and baking soda may damage your teeth if you use them daily and frequently. Also, toothpastes that have salt in them are abrasive for your enamel.

Bacteria can live on the tongue as well. Brush it for 30 seconds, or use a special tongue scraper. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

Most dentists recommend you brush your teeth twice a day.

Cut off a 45 cm (18 inch) section of floss and wind it around your middle fingers. Hold a 2. 5 to 5cm (1 to 2 inch) section between your forefingers and your thumbs. Gently guide the floss between your teeth, rubbing up and down. Bring the floss beneath the gumline, curving it to press against the tooth, not the gums. Keep moving until you feel resistance. Remember to floss two tooth surfaces at a time. This step is essential for removing the plaque that causes gum recession.

To take most mouthwashes, swish liquid in mouth for thirty seconds and spit out. Do not rinse, eat, or smoke for thirty minutes afterward, for maximum effect.

Constant headaches in the morning that continue throughout the day, earaches, and facial muscle soreness are all signs that you might grind your teeth in your sleep.

Have a professional perform the piercing, and ask about their sterilization practices first. Talk to a doctor first if you are pregnant, have allergies, diabetes, a skin disorder, or heart disease. For several days after piercing: Keep swelling down with cold and sleep with your head slightly elevated. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and spicy food. Rinse with (non-alcohol) antibacterial mouthwash after each meal. All the time: Wash your hands before handling the piercing. Try to avoid touching the piercings to teeth and gums. Visit a doctor immediately if you have pain, swelling, or red streaks.

Sometimes the gums recede rapidly, even if no other signs are present. This happens more often in puberty and young adulthood. [24] X Research source Visit a dentist right away and ask whether “aggressive periodontitis” is a possibility. Antibiotic treatment 24 hours before the regular cleaning may be effective to reduce the amount of bacteria. [25] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

People with diabetes, eating disorders, HIV, or cardiovascular diseases may need more regular checkups. [26] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Ask your dentist and doctor for advice.

At a regular cleaning session, the dentist will brush away plaque and polish your teeth to a smooth surface. This is called “scaling and root planing. “[27] X Research source If you have receding gums caused by disease, the dentist will probably do the same thing lower down on your teeth: a deep cleaning. Depending on how much the gums have receded, this might take two to four appointments. This can make your mouth sore, sensitive to hot and cold, and bloody. If it causes worse pain, stop your dentist and ask for a numbing medication. [28] X Research source

A pocket depth reduction cleans teeth down below the level of the gums, in “pockets” of air left by thinning gums. The gum is then secured back onto your teeth to hopefully slow or stop recession and in some cases bone grafts may be required to stabilize the tooth. Depending on your mouth, this may feel the same as deep cleaning, or require very minor local surgery to get access to the gums. If the recession is severe, the dentist can perform a gum graft, cutting skin from the roof of your mouth or elsewhere on your gum, and attaching it over the exposed teeth. Most patients remain awake but numbed, but if you have extreme dental fear you can be put unconscious. Most pain and swelling ends within a day, but for a week or two you should avoid alcohol and tobacco, rinse with mouthwash, and be careful while chewing. [29] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source