 No pain, no gain. That classic slogan for bodybuilders may apply to brushing your gums, as well. A recently published study in the Journal of Dental Research shows that using barbells and brushes may have something in common on the cellular level.
Strength training (weight lifting) microscopically breaks down the proteins in muscle tissue. Your body responds by rebuilding the muscles and the supporting bones slightly stronger than before. With regular repetition, this breakdown-rebuild cycle creates larger, stronger muscles. Microscopic stress creates growth. As an added bonus, larger muscles burn more calories all throughout the day.
Brushing your teeth not only removes plaque, it disrupts the cellular membranes of your gums. (the scientific term is gingival epithelial cells) When that happens, it triggers a breakdown and rebuilding cycle very similar to what goes on in your muscles after working out. This explains why well-kept gums don't bleed or hurt easily...they're simply tougher from daily "workouts" with the toothbrush. It also explains why electric toothbrush users seem to have healthier gums on average than manual brushers - more gum stimulation, more gum breakdown, better gum rejuvenation. We've also noticed that flossing tends to hurt the first two weeks or so, then becomes painless as the gums toughen up.
It's never too late to turn your "flabby", out of shape gums into lean, mean machines. Get a regular cleaning to remove the tartar deposits, then remove the plaque daily and you'll have strong, healthy gums.
--VL
Contributing Sources:
Toothbrushing May Strengthen Gums - Healthday News
Breaking Biological Barriers with a Toothbrush - Journal of Dental Research
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