Why is addressing gum disease important?
The grim facts speak for themselves:
- Over 90% of adults have some form of active gum disease by the age of 30.
- A whopping 65% of children already show signs of active gum disease by the time they are 15 years old!
Given these sad statistics, we consider gum disease to be the elephant in the living room when it comes to oral health.
After all, if our culture’s current oral health protocols were working, wouldn’t the above percentages be much lower?
But you’re here looking for solutions.
That tells us a lot about you. You’re not satisfied with being a sad statistic.
Unlike so many, you’re taking time to research other options for you and your family.
We are with you every step of this journey. We’ve been researching how to navigate the path to optimal oral health for over 20 years now.
We’ve learned several strategies and best practices that we’ve shared with the world. Today let’s explore one of these powerful strategies…
Why oral health?
Our dream and mission is to help create more healthy smiles throughout the world.
Call us romantic if you must, but we believe that as more and more of us have confidence that our mouths are healthy, our breath is fresh, and we aren’t losing the battle against tooth decay and gum disease, more of us will choose to smile and make the world a happier and healthier place.
(After all, the research clearly shows that smiling is good for your health and happiness!)
How gum disease gets started…
It starts as a little tenderness and swelling between molars. Then it turns into gums that bleed when flossing and chronic bad breath. This leads to receding gums and loose teeth, and eventually, even adult tooth loss.
Unfortunately, gum disease isn’t just about chronic bad breath and bleeding gums. Besides being the #1 cause of adult tooth loss, there is also a clear link between active gum disease and chronic health issues.
Whether we are talking about arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, or even cancer, research has found that an imbalanced oral flora and increased populations of ‘thug bugs’ in our mouths contribute to suppressing immunity, the breakdown of our systems, and ultimately, disease.
This makes sense since gum disease is a rampant bacterial infection with direct access to the whole body via the bloodstream.
To create optimal health, we must do more than just brush our teeth.
Through specific, daily oral hygiene habits, we can lower the incidence of thug bugs in our mouths and reduce the risk of developing a chronic inflammatory cascade that can undermine our whole-body health.
Historical clues for how to stop gum disease
Thankfully, we can look back in history to find information on addressing gum disease that hasn’t been skewed by greed or political agendas.
We are proud to stand on the shoulders of giants like Weston A Price, Ralph Steinman, and Edward and May Mellanby. But today, we’d like to highlight Dr. Charles C. Bass, one of the first scientists to shed light on the subject of gum disease.
Dr. Bass was a remarkable man. He was the youngest person to become dean of a medical school, and he was also the first person to carry a microscope west of the Mississippi River.
When Dr. Bass was diagnosed with advanced gum disease and instructed by his dentist to have all of his teeth extracted, he decided to take matters into his own hands and do some research (just like you, you hero!).
Dr. Bass was a parasitologist and had already discovered parasites through the use of his microscope. So, he decided to leverage his existing knowledge, skills, and tools to investigate what was causing the destruction in his mouth.
Using his microscope, he easily identified some “thug bugs” (the same ones that still plague most mouths today).
He started testing various tools and techniques to help disrupt the thug bugs and remove them from his mouth.
Through extensive trial and error, Dr. Bass created a toothbrush and method that effectively disrupts these bacteria and removes them from the teeth and gums.
His efforts worked: in the end, Dr. Bass died an old man with all of his natural teeth intact.
Why the Bass Brushing Technique works
The Bass Brushing Technique focuses on disrupting and removing the bacteria that accumulate between the teeth as well as along and under the gum line. When used correctly, this technique is very effective at reducing gum disease.
To effectively use the technique, we must understand that the “thug bugs” related to gum disease colonize along and under the gum line, especially between the molars.
Therefore, our focus must be to gently wiggle the bristles down into these areas to break up the bacteria groups that are hiding there.
Signs of early gum disease include swollen, red, bleeding, and/or tender gums.
Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of this connection. So, when these signs crop up, most people avoid brushing the infected area due to discomfort around the swollen gums. This allows the infection to continue to progress unhindered.
The right tool for the job
Dr. Bass left us some important legacies, including the Bass toothbrush and the Bass Brushing Technique.
The Bass toothbrush differs from most toothbrushes in two ways:
1. The bristles of a Bass toothbrush are more spaced out, and there are fewer bristles on the brush head. Dr. Bass found that most toothbrushes had far too many bristles to effectively wiggle between the teeth and down into the gum line (the same is true today–most conventional toothbrushes still have too many bristles to really brush effectively).
So, he created a brush with fewer bristles. This allows the brush to get down into the areas where thug bugs thrive so we can disrupt their colonizing efforts.
2. The second way the Bass toothbrush differs from other toothbrushes is that the bristle tips of the Bass brush are rounded, polished, and very smooth. See the photos below to compare the rounded bristle tips of the Bass toothbrush to the jagged, rough-cut tips of many other toothbrushes.
Polished bristle tips are much more gentle on the delicate oral tissue over time.
Right: jagged, rough cut bristles of other toothbrushes
How to do the Bass Brushing Technique
If you’re a visual learner, feel free to scroll down to watch the Bass Brushing Technique videos below. Here are some written notes on how to do this technique:
1. Hold the toothbrush gently! We like to joke that we’re not cleaning a grout line here! Rather than holding the toothbrush in your fist like you’d do with a scrub brush, gently hold it in your fingertips (the same way that you’d hold a violin bow). This way, your arm can relax and use the small movements that are required for the Bass Brushing Technique.
2. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth and gum line.
3. Think small. The main difference in the Bass technique is how small the movements are. The Bass Brushing Technique uses subtle, lateral strokes along the gum line.
It’s almost like you aren’t “brushing” your teeth at all!
Rather, place the toothbrush at a spot along the gum line and gently wiggle it with slight, subtle back-and-forth motions that get the bristles down between the teeth and under the gum line.
4. Count to five, then move to the next place with your brush and repeat.
The small motion takes practice, but in time, you will be amazed at how much healthier your gums feel!
Your teeth will thank you, too!
Another significant problem with conventional brushing methods is that they damage the protective outer layer (enamel) of your teeth. Take a look at the following facts:
- Research has shown that many folks brush their teeth too hard and damage their enamel over time.
- Many toothbrushes have rough-cut bristles (rather than the rounded-tip bristles on the Bass brushes) that can scratch enamel and irritate gum tissue.
- A contributing cause of receding gums is brushing the sensitive gum tissue too hard, especially with a toothbrush that has rough-cut bristles!
Putting these factors together creates a situation where many people may be doing more harm than good when brushing.
So, rather than continuing to brush like we’re scrubbing the grout line (as we learned when we were toddlers), try out the Bass Brushing Technique and see how it feels! Then feel free to circle back and also brush the surfaces of your teeth.
To get a clearer picture of how to brush your teeth to reduce the risk of gum disease, watch the Bass Brushing Technique instructional videos below.
Here’s our original Bass Brushing 1.0 video:
Feel free to also check out our newest video on Bass Brushing 2.0 here:
Now you know how to brush your teeth to reduce gum disease!
If you’d like to also learn how to support your teeth, stop tooth decay, and reverse cavities, feel free to download our FREE eBook, “How to Remineralize Your Teeth”.
And, if you have active periodontal disease and you’d like to learn about a kit that can help you address periodontal-disease-causing microbes from the comfort of your own home, you can read about our HealThy Mouth System here.
Wrapping up…
What about you? Have you tried the Bass Brushing Technique? If so, have you noticed a difference in your oral health over time?
Do you have questions or feedback about the method? As always, we love to keep the discussion going in the comments below!
Helpful, related resources:
Smile your way to greater health and happiness [article]
Options If You Have Missing Teeth [article]
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath (Halitosis) in 30 Seconds [article]
How To Stop Bleeding Gums [article]
4 steps to stop gum disease from causing an autoimmune disease in your life [article]
How to Balance Your Oral Flora and Be a Good Conductor of the Symphony in Your Mouth [article]
OraWellness Bass Toothbrush [product solution]
What Causes Receding Gums and How to Stop it [article]
How to Brush Your Teeth to Stop Tooth Decay
How to Stop Tooth Decay and Remineralize Your Teeth [free eBook]
4 Reasons Why Brushing Is So Important [article]
Why Do Teeth Decay? [article]
The First Step Of Dental Self-Empowerment [article]
Our Video Tutorials About Oral and Holistic Health
HealThy Mouth System [product solution]
References:
Charles C. Bass [Wikipedia page]
I had been doing the Bass technique for a year and still had tartar in my gums. Then I did the Bass technique with a usual toothbrush that has vey small tips and things improved very much. Perhaps it is because my gums are closer to the teeth than average?
Also on another topic : A WARNING this mistake can impact your dental healthhh.
I had been taking preformed vitamin A (retinol) on capsule a day because of an eye condition I wanted to improve. It was one capsule a day. It was too much and caused an inflammation of my gums, had believed that my new toothbrushes were harder than before. Also I had the gum between two teeth very swollen and when the dentist poked around it bled so that the dentist asked me if I was on blood thinner medication.
I has a rash on my arm as well and the beginning of anemia.
So retinol is not to be taken without medical supervision. I was surprised that there were no warning on the bottle (this was from NOWFOODS)
As I stopped, everything came back to normal.
Hey, I really like the descriptions of your products and the explanations. Are they available to UK residents though?
Aloha Kat,
Thank you for your interest in our products. 🙂
Yes, we regularly ship orders to the UK. If you’d like, you can place an order in our online store.
Alternatively, you can also try ordering from one of our UK distributors instead. Free to check out our Store Locator page to see more information on these distributors.
Feel free to contact us with any other questions, Kat; we’re here to help!
Hi! I love your well researched and practical guide to better oral care. Now I’m searching for a Bass inspired toothbrush. Could you recommend a brand or source?
Aloha Amanda,
Thanks for stopping by!
We’re biased, but we would recommend that you check out our original (plastic) Bass toothbrush and/or our sustainable BrushEco (bamboo) Bass toothbrush. 🙂
Ive been using your products for over a year (shine & heal thy mouth blend), and love them. I know this question is subjective, and everyone’s mouth is different. But I have been brushing my gum lines twice a day, very gently as shown in your video. Do you think twice a day is necessary , if not, what would you recommend as a norm? My mouth is fairly healthy, though I do have one gum line cavity that im working , trying to reverse, if that’s even possible? Blessing’s Mike
Aloha Mike,
Thanks for stopping by!
Personally, I do thoroughly (and gently) brush my entire mouth (gum line, teeth, tongue, roof of the mouth, etc.) twice daily (once in the morning and once at night). Here are a couple of resources that you might find helpful as you look within and decide what’s best for you and your body:
Is brushing even necessary if we eat a Paleo diet?
4 reasons why brushing is so important
Also, if you haven’t already, here’s a link to a page where you can download our free eBook to get tips on ‘in the mouth’ and ‘whole body’ steps you can take to help teeth remineralize: How to Stop Tooth Decay and Remineralize Your Teeth.
Depending on what’s going on, implementing the tips from our remineralization eBook might help. Note that we can’t always undo all of the damage that’s been done to severely altered or damaged teeth like cracked or chipped teeth, teeth with holes or large cavities, teeth that have been drilled for dental work, teeth that have acid dissolution from prolonged or repeated exposure to stomach acid or acidic drinks, etc. (stem cell technology may be able to fix these issues years from now, but for now, we just don’t have a way to reverse that). However, at the very least, the tips from that remineralization eBook can help support the remaining natural tooth structure.
Thank you and Aloha!
The Orawellness approach seems to be going in the right direction, and I’m looking forward to seeing the results myself. One additional factor that seems to play a huge difference in gum health is Vitamin C intake. When I have occasionally neglected to take Vitamin C supplements, I see and feel it almost immediately in my gums – which start becoming more tender.
Hi,
I have very bad receding gums in the lower anterior part of my mouth (6 teeth). I am having a difficult time keeping them clean. The dentists all tell me to use a soft or ultra-soft bristle toothbrush. They gave me the brush with the real pointy bristles that are all spread out in different directions. I really want to use the bass toothbrush but it’s a medium bristle brush. Do you think the bass brush is ok in my case? Also, I have tried to do the bass technique but I am not real confident in my ability to clean the area when I use it. I watch the video and read the instructions but I’m still not sure I’m doing it correctly. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Yes I also have this question. How can I use the bass brush while making sure I’m not causing more gum recession because it is medium firmness?
Aloha Zach,
Thanks for stopping by to ask!
Rather than focusing directly on the firmness of the bristles, we prefer to turn attention to the habit each of us applies when brushing.
The Bass brushing technique uses very subtle lateral strokes along the gum line. Place the toothbrush at a spot along the gum line and gently wiggle it with slight, subtle back-and-forth motions to get the bristles down between the teeth and under the gum line. If done correctly, pushing your gums back shouldn’t be a concern.
It can help to lighten the pressure by holding the end of the toothbrush handle with your fingers (think violin bow).
We hope you find the following link helpful:
How To Brush Your Teeth To Reduce Gum Disease
Thank you and Aloha!
I’ve been reading that gum recession is actually related to bone loss in the jaw. As we age, our faces lose bone – that’s actually the cause of sagging skin. So brushing would not be the only solution, the bone needs to be addressed.
Hi,
how you address problem/smell under the bridges/crowns?
Places not rely reachable
regards
Bogdan
I watched the brushing video after I read the blog and am wondering, you only showed yourself brushing the front of the gums/teeth, so my question is, do you brush the the back/inside of the gums/teeth also? I would assume so, just wanting to make sure though.
Hello!
Thank you for sharing this valuable information. I just ordered tooth brushes for my family and am excited to get started. I have a 1 year old and don’t know if I should start using this technique with her. How young would you guys start brushing a child’s teeth? Thank you!
I have notices that my gum line is receding and have been told that I brush too hard. Will this technique bring them back?
Aloha Mike,
While we can’t guarantee that your gum line will return, the way we think of this subject is the first step is to stop the damage from continuing. The Bass brushing technique with the correct brush will assist in this first step very much.
Who knows? Perhaps you can bring your gum tissue back up? Given that we hear from customers all over the world who are creating their own ‘dental miracles’, we have come to know that anything is possible! 🙂
Thank you and Aloha!
About how long does the bass toothbrush last or how often should it be replaced?
Aloha Robby,
Great question! Thanks for asking it.
How long a Bass toothbrush lasts really depends on how well the user takes care of it. I know that sounds kind of silly since we’re talking about a toothbrush. But it’s true.
We find that we change out our own toothbrushes every 4-5 months. But it could be shorter if the person is a ‘brush chewer’. So long as the brush head maintains its shape to function properly, we see no reason why a person should change out their Bass brush.
If you want to make sure that the brush stays clean, we suggest that you set your brush in a sunny window sill for a day to let the sunshine naturally sterilize the bristle tufts. Doing this ‘toothbrush sunbathing’ strategy once a week will insure that no bad bugs are hanging around on your brush.
We hope this helps Robby!
Thank you and Aloha!
Many years ago I bought some of these brushes from, it may have been the Price-Pottenger Foundation, but I really can’t say. The brushes came with a little cap for the brush head that, they said helped to keep the shape of the bristles in their original shape. They also said, I’m pretty darn sure of this (but MAYBE I’m wrong), that these brushes could last up to 3 years, in part because of the little cap! Mine didn’t last for 3 years, but it’s also possible that I was a bit too rough while brushing.
You guys do awesome work 🙂
Could you get the same result using an electric round brush?
Thank for all your work.
Aloha Mona,
From our experience, electric brushes simply don’t have the same level of control to really get the gum line as clean as using a Bass toothbrush with the proper technique. That said, if used consciously, electric brushes can be of great benefit still.
I hope this helps! 🙂
I have had Periodontal problems for 50 years. The time I used an electric toothbrush (Sonic Care) were the worst for my problem. I will never use one again. My Dentist has pressured me at every appointment, for the last couple of years, to use one again. The Sonic Care apparently works for him, but has proven not for me. I am in the process of looking for another Dentist. I’m not much for staying with a physician who cannot respect my wishes without persisting in nagging or any other form of coercion.
Aloha Catryna,
Thank you for sharing here with us. I agree about the relative effectiveness of a Sonic Care brush. Good luck on your search for a dental professional who respects your wishes! Great dentists are out there if you know what questions to ask to help find them! 🙂
It is very informative and tells us about the various stages of disease.
big help thanks!
now I don’t have sulfur mouth any longer. lol
So glad to hear it Glenda! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Will,
Will this bass brushing technique not push the gum to recede overtime?
Thanks,
Great question Stephen!
I think the main factor whether Bass brushing, or any other brushing technique for that matter, could cause more harm than good is this… How much awareness/consciousness does one apply while brushing? If we brush unconsciously, then yes, you could cause damage in the form of gum recession over time. However, given the very small motion of the Bass technique, I find that there is less risk in causing damage than the regular ‘scrubbing a grout line’ style of brushing that most people practice every day. You are correct in your thinking however as the #2 cause of receding gums is brushing too rough (with a cheap brush).
I hope this helps!
This is the perfect blog..i admire the valuable advice you make available in this blog..
Thanks for the information
Wondering if you were thinking of making a special brush head for this bass technique for electric toothbrushes, or design your own. It would be especially nice to have a battery operated bass brush for children.