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A few smart swaps can keep plaque under control.

But letting those habits slide can raise the risk of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, an inflammatory infection that affects the gums and the bones that support your teeth. “The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body, leading to various health problems,” says Fatima Khan, dentist and co-founder of oral care brand Riven, noting that these have been linked to pregnancy complications, an increased risk for stroke and heart disease, worsened blood sugar control, inflammatory bowel disease and obesity, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

If there’s one habit worth locking in for better gum health, Bianca Velayo, general dentist and multi-practice owner with PDS Health, says it’s brushing before bed. “During sleep, saliva production drops significantly and the mouth becomes more acidic, which creates the perfect environment for cavity-causing and gum disease-causing bacteria to thrive. Brushing and flossing before your longest stretch of sleep is critical.”

Brushing again in the morning matters just as much. “Bacteria accumulate constantly, and that morning brush helps disrupt the biofilm before it keeps building up throughout the day,” says Velayo. “At the end of the day, gum health is all about plaque control.” The more thoroughly we remove plaque between the teeth, the less inflammation, bleeding and long-term gum damage we experience.

When it comes to flossing, Khan suggests making it a once-a-day habit to support healthy gums. She also recommends curving the floss into a C shape around each tooth and gently moving it back and forth. “This motion helps remove plaque and debris that may be stuck between the teeth and along the gum line.”

One of her go-to flosses for supporting gum health is the RiseWell Scrubby tooth floss, which is infused with hydroxyapatite and xylitol, functional ingredients to strengthen and repair teeth. “It helps prevent interproximal decay, or cavities between teeth, [because] it’s able to expand and scrub well between them,” says Khan of the floss.  

Velayo also highlights woven dental floss as a top pick for keeping gums healthy, such as Cocolab’s Cocofloss. “What makes woven floss different is the texture. These flosses expand slightly and have a woven structure that helps grab and lift plaque off the teeth, rather than simply sliding between them.”

Cocolab offers this floss in more than a dozen flavors, including Delightful Mint, Young Coconut and Cara Cara Orange.

When it comes to toothpaste, certain ingredients can make a difference for gum health. “Purchase a toothpaste with zinc citrate or pentasodium triphosphate to prevent tartar formation,” says Khan. “Stannous fluoride has anti-microbial properties and inhibits the growth of certain periodontal pathogens, and has anti-inflammatory properties and can delay the onset of gingivitis.”

For a refreshing clean, Khan recommends the Crest Pro-health Gum Detoxify toothpaste, a fluoride toothpaste formulated to help neutralize harmful plaque bacteria around and below the gum line. It also contains zinc citrate and stannous fluoride.  

While a water flosser might feel more convenient, Khan notes that The American Academy of Periodontology still recommends using traditional floss alongside it, since floss is more effective at scraping plaque directly from teeth surfaces. “Still, water flossers are gentler on sensitive gums and easier to use for those with limited dexterity,” says Khan. “I usually recommend the Waterpik Aquarius because it has an ADA seal and multiple settings.”

The Waterpik Aquarius uses a pressurized stream of water to clean between teeth and along the gumline, removing plaque and debris that brushing alone can’t reach. It offers 10 adjustable pressure settings, letting you tailor the intensity from gentle for sensitive gums to stronger for a deeper clean, and two modes: a standard floss mode for plaque removal and a hydro-pulse massage mode that stimulates gums and supports circulation. Plus, its 360-degree rotating tip handle makes it easier to reach back teeth and other hard-to-access areas.  

Ge it from Amazon for $79.99 (available in four colors).

“Hands down, electric toothbrushes tend to be more effective at controlling plaque than manual toothbrushes,” says Velayo, pointing out that the oscillating or sonic movements are more powerful and consistent. “Using an electric brush also allows you to focus more on positioning and angulation along the gumline, rather than the scrubbing motion itself.”

She recommends the Sonicare DiamondClean series. The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500 is designed to deliver a deep clean with five brushing modes, including Clean, White+, Deep Clean+, Gum Health and Tongue Care, so you can tailor your routine. It also offers three intensity levels, letting you adjust for sensitive teeth.

“My favorite features are the pressure sensors and built-in timers,” says Velayo. “The pressure sensors help train patients to apply the correct amount of force so they’re not brushing too aggressively and damaging their gums. The timer feature also helps people brush for the full recommended two minutes, which many people underestimate.” She emphasizes to brush along the gumline, gently allowing the bristles to engage slightly into the gums. “Follow the curvature of each tooth so the bristles make contact with every surface — outer, inner and chewing surfaces.”

Get it from Amazon for $279.96+ (available in four colors).

Prices for electric toothbrushes can vary wildly. If you don’t want to spend as much, know that this under-$50 option comes recommended by both CNET and Wirecutter, along with having over 8,000 customer ratings and 4.4 stars at Walmart. It also has a lot of the features that Velayo recommended, including a pressure sensor and a built-in timer. 

Get it from Walmart for $49.94+ (available in three colors).

“Mouthwash can be a helpful addition to an oral-care routine, but I always remind patients that it should complement brushing and flossing, not replace them,” says Velayo, noting that mouthwash can reach areas brushing and flossing might miss, particularly around the gumline. Certain formulas contain antimicrobial ingredients that help reduce bacteria, supporting healthier gums and lowering inflammation. She recommends looking for ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), which helps reduce plaque-related bacteria, essential oils like thymol, eucalyptol and menthol, which help curb plaque and gingivitis, and chlorhexidine, a prescription antimicrobial rinse used short-term for gum disease treatment.

Especially for those managing periodontal disease, her go-to is the ioRinse RTU in Soft Mint. “It has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties that help support a healthier oral environment,” says Velayo. “It’s also alcohol-free, which makes it gentler for daily use and less likely to cause dryness or irritation.” 

Get it from Amazon for $27.95+ (available in two sizes).

“A tool I’m personally obsessed with is a tongue scraper,” says Velayo. “The tongue can harbor bacteria, food debris, dead cells and microbial buildup that contribute to bad breath and increase the overall bacterial load in the mouth.” Cutting down on that bacterial reservoir helps support a healthier oral environment overall.

Her personal favorite is the DrTung’s stainless steel tongue cleaner, which makes it easy to reach the back of the tongue while staying gentle and comfortable. “I prefer stainless steel tongue scrapers because they’re durable, easy to clean and very effective at removing buildup from the tongue surface,” says Velayo.