What do healthy gums look like? 

Healthy gums should: 

• Fit snugly around teeth 
• Be firm, not puffy 
• Not bleed   
• Feel comfortable, not sore 

If gums bleed and are inflamed, they’re showing signs of distress. They’re an early warning system so going forward they need your extra care and attention daily. 

Having delicate gums means you need to adjust focus in your oral health product choice to one that supports your gum health.  

With the right habits and gentle, effective daily care, you can strengthen your gums and reduce the risk of bleeding or inflammation.  

Swapping to the daily routine of a Healthy Gums Kit means you’re taking care of your teeth and paying specialist attention to your gums.

Reduce the irritation with Cetylpyridium chloride (CPC)

Bacteria live in the biofilm that is present in your mouth. The toxins released by some of these bacteria cause inflammation of gum tissue. 

CPC kills and inhibits the bacteria involved in gum inflammation. Fewer bacteria mean:

• Fewer inflammatory toxins 
• Less plaque accumulation 

This helps reduce gum bleeding and puffiness, and the risk of gingivitis when gums become irritated.   

Soothe and calm the gums with Pro-vitamin B5 

Pro-vitamin B5, also known as panthenol supports healing. Used daily to support gum help, it: 

• Soothes and strengthens delicate gum tissue 
• Reduces inflammation 
• Improves moisture retention 
• Helps calm irritation 
• Promotes gum comfort and resilience 
• Protects and revitalises gums

Enhance the power of CPC with Zinc Lactate 

Zinc lactate is both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and will: 

• Inhibit and reduce gingival bleeding 
• Work alongside the anti-septic effects of cetylpyridinium chloride 

Anyone can be prone to gum issues but there are certain groups of people who are more susceptible.  

Experiencing hormonal changes? 

Hormones, huh? Pregnancy, menopause or puberty can upset gums. Despite having had gums that behave impeccably at other times of your life, those hormones can switch things up unexpectedly.  

Have a medical condition?  

Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis can herald in gum problems. It’s one of the reasons your dentist asks about your overall health at your routine check.  

Taking medications?  

Blood thinners can make bleeding more likely. Even taking antihistamines can make your mouth dry and upset your gums. Immunosuppressants and calcium channel blockers are well known for interrupting the normal balance of gums. If your gums are bleeding or sore, one positive step to take is to ask your pharmacist if a medication you take could be causing the problem. Advocate for your gums, with the help of the pharmacist and your doctor, you might find they can offer an alternative that returns your gums to happy mode.  

Strayed towards lifestyle factors your gums don’t appreciate?  

Smoking is detrimental to oral health. Using vaping products as an aid to quit smoking is a step in the right direction for quitting smoking.  However, early research suggests that vaping is harmful too: Microbiological studies have indicated that e-cigarette users have a distinct microbiome, and there is some indication this may be more pathogenic compared to nonusers. Keeping your gums as supported as possible is key while you consider the next re-set. 

Noticing a dry mouth? 

A dry mouth, or xerostomia, means saliva can’t be as naturally protective and cleansing for the mouth. XyliMelts are excellent mouth moisturisers that support returning your mouth to oasis status.  

How to get healthy gums? Ask, is hidden plaque causing my gum problems?  

Are all areas of your teeth as clean as you think? It’s a question worth asking.  

Seek out plaque where it likes to play hide and seek. ‘Teeth and gums’ is a catch all term that doesn’t draw our attention to certain areas of our mouths that need to be kept spick and span for gum health.  

The sulcus aka the space between the tooth and the gum 

Plaque can accumulate just under the shallow space between the tooth and gum, the sulcus. This hidden plaque’s toxins may be the culprit of gums that bleed.  

Use a soft toothbrush at a 45° angle at the gum margin. 

The interproximal spaces aka between teeth 

Those interproximal spaces between teeth can’t accommodate your toothbrush. You need interdental brushes for those.  

Interprox Interdental Brushes provide feedback on your interdental spaces while cleaning them thanks to their dual-coloured filaments: 

• Black filaments reveal plaque 
• White filaments reveal where gums are bleeding between teeth 

This way, you begin to understand your mouth map better. Choose the largest brush that will fit snugly without getting stuck. Where you can interdental brush, use a dental floss to suit you and your gums. 

Those places brushing technique isn’t quite tickety-boo 

While we’re all trying to do our best for our gums, sometimes we have blind spots in our brushing routine.  

TePe Plaqsearch Tablets reveal plaque. Using a tablet after brushing will help you understand where you’re maybe missing sweeping plaque away.  

• Red plaque is newer – less than 12 hours old 
• Blue plaque is older – over 12 hours old 

Refine your technique accordingly and gums will benefit.

Places that need the swoosh of mouthwash 

Brushing will always be the primary way to care for teeth and gums. In between brushing, you can keep the benefits of cetylpyridium chloride, pro-vitamin B5 and zinc lactate going with a gum health mouthwash such as VITIS Healthy Gums Mouthwash. Keeping at bay the bacteria whose toxins irritate gums gives your gums the best chance to stay revitalised.