Preventing Gum Disease: Daily Care and the Evidence Behind It
Preventing gum disease means removing plaque yourself every day, because plaque bacteria on the teeth cause it. For adults, and anyone younger with gum disease, this page sets out the routine UK guidance gives: brushing and cleaning between the teeth as the core and mouthwash as an extra.
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Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, the practice's principal dentist, reviewed this page. He is a General Dental Practitioner, GDC 301711, with BDS, BSc (Hons) and MSc (Leeds) qualifications.
What does this gum disease prevention section cover?
This section covers mechanical plaque control, the daily oral hygiene routine of removing plaque yourself. Delivering Better Oral Health, the government's prevention toolkit, names toothbrushing and, from 18, or earlier if gum disease is evident, cleaning between the teeth as the main self-care skills.
How important is brushing your teeth?
Brushing is the most important way to clean your teeth, says a Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust leaflet. NHS guidance is to brush twice a day for about 2 minutes, cleaning every surface. Our guide shows how to clean along the gum line.
Why does cleaning between your teeth matter?
Cleaning between your teeth matters because that area collects plaque a toothbrush cannot remove, Leeds Teaching Hospitals' leaflet explains. NHS guidance is to clean between your teeth every day, using floss or interdental brushes. Read more on cleaning between your teeth.
Where does mouthwash fit in a gum care routine?
Mouthwash cannot replace brushing or cleaning between the teeth, as it does not physically remove plaque, Leeds Teaching Hospitals' leaflet says. Some can help prevent gum disease, it adds, though long-term use can alter taste or stain teeth. Read about when mouthwash helps.
To ask about a hygiene appointment, book online or call 0114 288 2121.
Why can tartar not be brushed away?
Tartar, or calculus, cannot be brushed away because it is hardened plaque, Leeds Teaching Hospitals' leaflet explains. It forms when brushing leaves plaque behind, and needs removing by a dental professional. Read about what plaque and calculus are.
How often should your teeth and gums be checked?
How often you need a dental check-up depends on how healthy your teeth and gums are, NHS guidance says. Your dentist should suggest when the next one is due. For hygiene visits, read about working out how often you need a hygiene appointment.
What does this section not cover?
This section does not cover preventing tooth decay, which belongs to the tooth decay prevention section of our general dentistry pages. How gum disease develops has its own page, and treatment is set out in the hygiene and gum treatment options.
Frequently asked questions
Can daily care prevent gum disease completely?
Not always. Delivering Better Oral Health says gum disease starts with plaque in susceptible people, and also lists tobacco, alcohol and several general health conditions as risk factors. It says gingivitis, inflammation contained within the gums, can be reversed by reducing plaque.
How can you check you are removing all the plaque?
Disclosing tablets can help. Leeds Teaching Hospitals' leaflet explains that they contain a special dye that stains plaque, making it easier to see, so you can check you have removed it all. The leaflet says the tools for removing it may include toothbrushes, floss, interdental brushes and single-tufted brushes.
Why does your own daily cleaning matter so much?
Leeds Teaching Hospitals' leaflet calls the daily removal of plaque yourself at home the most important way to prevent gum disease. Delivering Better Oral Health says that for everybody, the primary goals of prevention are good plaque removal skills and avoiding tobacco.
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To ask about hygiene appointments, book online through the booking portal or call 0114 288 2121. They last 30 to 60 minutes, and you can book directly with our dental therapist, without seeing a dentist first and without registering as a patient.
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