Gum Massage Benefits: The Importance of Massaging Your Gums
It is not a secret that regular brushing and flossing can make your teeth and gums healthy. But do you know that you can add additional ways to your daily oral care routine to keep your mouth healthy? So, consider adding gum massage to your at-home dental care practices to improve and protect your gum health. However, if you have issues with your gums, it’s best to consult a doctor or dentist since this practice should not be a substitute for the treatment. Keep reading to learn about gum massage benefits and the different techniques to perform this task.
It is not a secret that regular brushing and flossing can make your teeth and gums healthy. But do you know that you can add additional ways to your daily oral care routine to keep your mouth healthy? So, consider adding gum massage to your at-home dental care practices to improve and protect your gum health. However, if you have issues with your gums, it’s best to consult a doctor or dentist since this practice should not be a substitute for the treatment. Keep reading to learn about gum massage benefits and the different techniques to perform this task.
Why is Gum Health Important To Oral Health?
Gum health is as crucial as dental health. Your gums are the soft tissue that encompasses the teeth. They cover your teeth to keep food and bacteria from going through. In contrast to other soft 
tissues in the mouth, such as the cheeks and lips, your gums are bound firmly to the underlying bone. This permits us to eat different foods easily. However, as you get older, your gums can become more vulnerable to disease, contributing to other health problems like heart disease.
In fact, most people over the age of 65 have some oral health issues like toothache, cavity, and gum disease. The early phases of gum disease and any other dental problems can usually be missed by patients. So when they visit the dentist, sometimes the disease has advanced to a moderate or severe condition. Prevention is vital, and a gum massage technique can help.
Gum Massage Benefits
If you properly perform this technique, you can experience many gum massage benefits. These include:
Stimulate Blood Flow
A gum massage can help increase blood flow to your gum tissue. In fact, the improvement in blood circulation can make the flow of even more nutrient-rich blood to the gum tissue. This helps fight gum infections and boost overall gum health.
Increase Oxygen Supply
Blood is loaded up with oxygen. The bacteria found in gum disease are usually anaerobic bacteria that flourish in a setting with little to zero oxygen. The additional oxygen provided to the gums during the massage can help destroy many of these bacteria.
Improve Gingival Covering
Gum massage can thicken the gum epithelium, the external layer of gum tissue that protects the gums from oral bacteria that create infections. This is particularly true when performing the technique regularly. Once gum epithelium thickens and strengthens, it protects your gums from bacterial infections more efficiently.
In addition, gum massage sessions may help dislodge any food debris not adequately removed in the gums when you brush and floss your teeth. However, remember that gum message is not a substitute for professional dental cleanings. Hence, you still need to see your dentist or visit Complete Dental’s clinic in Coorparoo for regular dental cleanings and checkups.
Gum Massage Techniques
Gum massage is not a regular part of every dental visit, similar to a dental x-ray. In fact, if you have gum disease, your dentist will not massage your gums. Instead, they may recommend some treatment options. However, massaging your gums can be a significant step to make your gums healthy and prevent these gum disease treatments.
In any case, here are some ways to do gum massage at home:
Gum Stimulator
Gum stimulators, also known as gum massagers, are particular tools made explicitly for massaging the gums. You can get a manual or an electric variant. In fact, both are effective when you utilize 
them correctly. However, a powered gum stimulator will do the work of your gum massage session.
To use a gum stimulator, hold the instrument at a 45-degree angle toward your gums, then press it gently on your gums while massaging them in a circular motion. Intend to massage your gums for ten minutes, yet stop sooner if you think the technique creates a lesion or sore on your gums.
Water Flosser
Water flossers are another tool that can clean your gums without the hassle of floss. They do not simply clean in between your teeth. In fact, the pressurized water in water flossers can also massage your gums at the same time. Just ensure that the water pressure is not excessively high since it could harm your gums if not used carefully.
Massage Your Gums With Your Fingers
Massaging your gums with your finger is also possible, particularly if you don’t want to purchase a gum massage tool. To do this, start by placing your index finger firmly against your gums. Then, move your fingertip in a circular movement while sliding it along your gum line for around 10 minutes.
You can also use plant oil, such as coconut, olive, or sesame oil to help your finger move more easily against your gums. In fact, these oils can even help destroy other bacteria in your gum tissue. Just simply place the oil on the finger you use to massage your gums.
Remember that these techniques are not a substitute for the necessary treatment. However, if you have gum disease, massaging your gums can help improve the healing process. You can also visit this link to learn more about other incredible ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
References:
Anaerobic Bacterium.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/anaerobic-bacterium
What to know about gum infections.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gum-infection
Gum Stimulator: What Is It and How Do I Use It?
