The Benefits Of Gum Massage & How To Get Started, From A Functional Dentist

You might think that brushing and flossing are enough to keep your mouth healthy. But there's an additional step for improving oral hygiene that I as a functional dentist love: gum massage. 

According to the CDC, gum disease (periodontitis) affects more than 46% of adults over 302 and is one of the main causes of tooth loss. Other consequences of gum disease include bad breath, tender or bleeding gums, and gum recession. Evidence also suggests that gum disease is associated with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, heart disease3, and respiratory disease4. For this reason, prioritizing gum health via quick practices like massage may improve your total body well-being. 

Massaging your gums increases blood circulation5, helping ensure more nutrients and oxygen are delivered to this essential area. Getting more oxygen to the mouth has been shown to reduce the bacteria that cause periodontitis6, helping your gums stay healthy. 

Plus, the act of massaging your gums may help remove more plaque, tartar buildup, and food particles that may be trapped along the gumline than brushing and flossing alone. 

These days, you can find manual and electronic gum massagers/ gum stimulators to massage your gums. Both are effective, but electric massagers make the process easier.

If you don't have a gum massager, you can use your index finger. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Then, hold the tip of your finger against your gums, apply gentle pressure, and begin to massage in a circular motion (not a sawing motion). 

Start at the front of your mouth. Then, work your way to the back, sliding your finger along your gumline.

You can massage your gums once or twice a day, depending on your preference and oral health needs. After you finish massaging, rinse your mouth to remove any loosened debris or bacteria.