Brush at least twice a day, with the right technique
A widely taught technique is the modified Bass method, which focuses on cleaning where the teeth meet the gums.
Hold the bristles at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface and use short, gentle strokes to disrupt the bacterial film along and just below the gum line. Brush for two minutes, giving each part of the mouth about 30 seconds.
2 min
Recommended brushing time, twice a day (ADA)
Electric toothbrushes make many movements per minute and are especially helpful for people who find manual brushing difficult. Most people do not brush long enough and press too hard, which can wear enamel and cause gum recession. With active gingivitis, extra-soft bristles are recommended; the dentist may also prescribe an antiseptic mouthwash for a short period, to be used only as instructed.
Choose your toothpaste according to your needs. Fluoride toothpastes protect against tooth decay and help remineralize enamel. For sensitive teeth, there are toothpastes with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, which block the tiny channels in the dentin. A low-abrasion toothpaste (low RDA, Relative Dentin Abrasivity) matters especially if you have enamel wear or thin gum tissue.
Clean between your teeth every day
Cleaning between the teeth is essential, because a toothbrush does not reach the spaces between them well, and that is where a lot of plaque builds up.
According to the ADA, use about 18 inches (45 cm) of floss, winding most of it around the middle finger of one hand and taking up the used floss on the other as you go. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape around the tooth and slide it gently into the space between the gum and the tooth. For people with limited dexterity or wide spaces, interdental brushes of the right size can work better than conventional floss. A professional dental cleaning, at the frequency your dentist recommends, completes home care and removes tartar below the gums. When the gums bleed, swell or recede, home care is not enough, and gum disease is treated with periodontal care.
Choose the right toothbrush
A few simple criteria help you choose the right brush.
Soft to medium bristles with rounded tips protect the gums while still cleaning effectively, and a head small enough to reach the back teeth without triggering the gag reflex. Electric toothbrushes with built-in pressure sensors help prevent toothbrush abrasion, the wear caused by brushing too hard. According to a Cochrane review, electric toothbrushes reduced plaque by about 21% and gum inflammation by about 11% compared with manual brushes after three months or more; most of the evidence concerns oscillating-rotating brushes.
Replace your toothbrush, or the brush head, every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
At the clinic, personal brushing instruction is given to find the areas that need more attention. Patients who keep up thorough oral hygiene usually see their gums improve within a few weeks.
Risk factors for tooth and gum disease
Oral disease has many causes: biological, behavioral and environmental.
Smoking and diabetes
Smoking is one of the most important risk factors for gum disease: according to the CDC, smokers have twice the risk of non-smokers. Nicotine narrows the blood vessels of the gums and masks inflammation, hiding how severe the disease is. Poorly controlled diabetes increases susceptibility to gum infection; the link works both ways, and in people with type 2 diabetes, treating gum disease slightly improved blood sugar control, according to a Cochrane review. Genetic factors also influence susceptibility to periodontitis.
Certain medications
Some blood pressure medications (calcium channel blockers) can cause gum overgrowth in some patients. Antidepressants and antihistamines can cause dry mouth, which reduces the protective effect of saliva and increases the risk of decay and gum pain. Bisphosphonates, used for osteoporosis, are linked to a rare but serious risk of jaw osteonecrosis, mainly after invasive procedures such as extractions: always tell your dentist which medications you take.
Chronic stress
Chronic stress affects the immune system and can worsen existing gum inflammation. Stress-related bruxism (teeth grinding) puts excessive load on the teeth, which can speed up bone loss when inflammation is present.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Foods that harm your teeth
How much a food harms your teeth depends on how much sugar it contains, how long it stays in your mouth, its texture and how often you eat it. Sugar and processed carbohydrates feed mouth bacteria, which produce acid that dissolves enamel and can lead to cavities and decayed teeth. Sodas, including diet sodas, contain acids that erode the teeth directly, an effect that is stronger when the mouth is dry and saliva cannot neutralize the acid.
Sticky foods such as caramels stay in the mouth longer than foods that clear quickly, prolonging bacterial activity. Fruit juices, even natural and unsweetened, combine sugars and acids, making them both decay-causing and erosive.
Alcohol, beyond the sugar in sweet drinks, dries the mouth and reduces saliva; heavy drinking increases the risk of mouth cancer, especially combined with smoking. Acidic foods such as vinegar, tomato sauces and pickles also erode enamel. After an acidic food or drink, rinse your mouth with water and wait before brushing, because softened enamel is more vulnerable to wear. Dietary advice can be tailored to your personal risk of decay.
Drinks that harm your teeth
Energy drinks combine high acidity, a lot of sugar and several organic acids, which makes them among the most erosive and decay-causing drinks.
Energy and sports drinks
In laboratory studies, even short exposure to energy drinks caused measurable enamel loss. The effect is greater in athletes who sip them often during training, when saliva flow drops with dehydration. Isotonic sports drinks, despite their healthy image, also contain significant amounts of acid and sugar.
Wine, coffee and tea
Wine, especially white and sparkling wine, is acidic and can also stain the teeth. Sipping slowly over a long time prolongs the acid exposure. Coffee and tea can stain teeth and contribute to dry mouth. Very hot drinks can also irritate the gums and the lining of the mouth.
Tips for keeping healthy teeth and healthy gums
Applying evidence-based prevention lowers the risk of oral disease.
- A fluoride mouthwash, or an antibacterial mouthwash recommended by your dentist, adds protection, especially if you are at high risk of decay or gum inflammation.
- Drinking water after meals, especially when you cannot brush right away, lowers acidity in the mouth and helps clear food debris.
- Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol stimulates saliva, which helps neutralize acid.
Smart eating habits include calcium-rich dairy products, which support remineralization, and crunchy fruit and vegetables, which stimulate saliva. Avoid frequent snacking: every time you eat, the mouth goes through a period of acidity, so people prone to decay should limit snacks between meals. How often you need a check-up depends on the condition of your mouth and your personal risk of decay and gum disease: for many people every six months, for others more or less often, as recommended by the dentist. Regular check-ups catch problems before they progress.
Healthy teeth at every age
Children: the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a first visit to a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, and no later than the first birthday.
Pregnancy: gum inflammation is common in pregnancy, and preventive and restorative dental care during pregnancy is considered safe throughout pregnancy (ADA).
From 65: receding gums expose the roots of the teeth, and dry mouth caused by medications raises the risk of decay, so regular check-ups and a fluoride toothpaste matter even more (see dental care for seniors).
Healthy teeth and gums: frequently asked questions
Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and move it gently in short strokes, covering every surface of the teeth: outer, inner and chewing surfaces.
Cleaning between the teeth removes plaque and food from places a toothbrush does not reach well. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends cleaning between your teeth once a day, with floss or another interdental cleaner. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape around the tooth and slide it gently into the space between the gum and the tooth.
An electric toothbrush removes a little more plaque than a manual one: according to a Cochrane review, after three months or more of use, plaque was reduced by about 21% and gum inflammation by about 11%. Whatever brush you use, replace it or its head every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
The main risk factors for gum disease are poor oral hygiene, smoking and poorly controlled diabetes. According to the CDC, smokers have twice the risk of gum disease compared with non-smokers. Certain medications, stress and genetic susceptibility also play a role.
The drinks most harmful to teeth are acidic and sugary drinks such as energy drinks, sodas (including diet sodas), sports drinks and juices. Acid wears away enamel and sugar feeds the bacteria that cause decay, and sipping slowly prolongs the exposure. Water is the best drink between meals.
Sources
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), Brushing Your Teeth – View the source
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), Flossing – View the source
- American Dental Association, Home Oral Care, 2024 – View the source
- Yaacob M et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014 – View the study
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Smoking, Gum Disease, and Tooth Loss – View the source
- Simpson TC et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022 – View the study
- Fee PA et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 – View the study
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Periodicity of Examination, Preventive Dental Services, 2022 – View the source
- American Dental Association, Pregnancy (Oral Health Topics), 2025 – View the source
