How to Use a Gum Stimulator
If you have tender, swollen, or red gums, you may have periodontal, or gum disease. It is a very common condition, affecting nearly 50% of adults 30 and over. Sometimes dentists recommend the use of a gum stimulator to heal and strengthen the gums.
What is a Gum Stimulator?
A gum stimulator is a dental tool that is used to improve blood flow to the gums. This tool has a small rubber or silicone pointed tip that can gently massage gum tissue and also clean the area of food debris and plaque.
First invented as an alternative to flossing, gum stimulators are now a useful tool that can be used at home to combat periodontal disease. The good thing about gum stimulators is that they are very affordable and readily available.
Who Should Use a Gum Stimulator?
Use of a gum stimulator is recommended for people with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that hold your teeth in place. If not treated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. It is estimated that 47% of adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease.
However, when added to a daily routine of good oral hygiene, a gum stimulator will firm and strengthen gum tissue. People who do not have periodontal disease, or gingivitis, likely do not need to use a gum stimulator.
How to Use a Gum Stimulator
- Before using a a gum stimulator, brush your teeth as you normally would.
- Use floss to clean the spaces between your teeth.
- Place the tip of the gum stimulator along the gumline. Use the tip to massage the gumline gently.
- Slide the tip of the gum stimulator in the space between your teeth to remove any remaining food debris or plaque.
- Rinse your mouth using mouthwash or antiseptic mouthrinse.
When massaging the gums, use small circular motions. Spend about 10 seconds massaging the area around each tooth. Don’t forget to massage both the front and the back of the gums.
If your gums are particularly sensitive, the rubber tip can be softened prior to use by placing it under hot water for a few seconds. The tip is usually soft, so not everyone will need to do this.
Gum stimulators can be cleaned and disinfected after use. Simply soak the tool in a mixture of one part water and two parts hydrogen peroxide.
Benefits of a Gum Stimulator
- Massage gum tissue
- Clean and remove food debris and plaque from between teeth
- Strengthen and firm gum tissue
- Increase oxygen flow to periodontal pocket, killing bacteria
Summary
Using a gum stimulator has many important benefits to people with periodontal disease. It is a great tool to strengthen and firm gum tissue while also killing harmful bacteria in the periodontal pocket. Learning how to use a gum stimulator is easy. It should be used daily in addition to your regular oral hygiene routine.