7 Mistakes You’re Making with Your Gums and How Your Family Dentist Salt Lake City Can Fix Them
Published July 14, 2026
Are you ignoring the foundation of your smile? Most people spend all their time worrying about how white their teeth are, but here at Salt Flats Dentistry, we like to say that your gums are the soil that keeps your "tooth garden" healthy. If the soil is bad, the garden won't last.
Before we dive into the common blunders, we want to make it easy for you to get back on track. Claim our New Patient Special: $99 for an exam, x-rays, and basic cleaning! Whether you need a family dentist in Salt Lake City or just a check-up to see why your gums are acting up, we’ve got you covered.
Book Your $99 New Patient Visit Now
Your Gums: The Unsung Heroes of Your Smile
Many patients come into our Murray or Riverton offices concerned about a chipped tooth or looking for porcelain veneers. While we love crafting a "Hollywood Smile," we always start with the gums. If you’re making these seven mistakes, you might be setting yourself up for discomfort, or worse, tooth loss.
1. Scrubbing Your Teeth Like a Kitchen Floor
We get it, you want them clean! But your gums are delicate. If you use a medium or hard-bristled brush and "scrub" horizontally, you’re actually pushing your gums away from your teeth. This leads to gum recession, which exposes the sensitive roots of your teeth.
- The Fix: Switch to a soft-bristled brush. Use gentle, circular motions at a 45-degree angle. Think of it as a massage for your gums, not a deep-clean for your grout.
2. Missing the "Magic Line"
The most important place to brush isn't the flat surface of your teeth, it’s where the tooth meets the gum. This is where plaque loves to hide and harden into tartar. If you’re just skimming past the gumline, you’re leaving the "bacteria party" uninvited but very much present.
- The Fix: At Salt Flats Dentistry, we use digital scanners and 3D X-rays to show you exactly where plaque is accumulating. Ensure your bristles reach slightly under that gum edge every time you brush.
3. Ignoring "Pink in the Sink"
If your shins bled every time you went for a walk, you’d see a doctor, right? Your gums shouldn't bleed when you brush or floss. "Pink in the sink" is the first sign of gingivitis. Ignoring it allows the inflammation to turn into periodontitis, which can destroy the bone supporting your teeth.
- The Fix: Don't stop flossing because it bleeds, floss more (gently!) to remove the irritation. If it doesn't clear up in a week, come see us. We’re even a Medicaid dentist in Utah at our Bangerter location, making gum health accessible for everyone.
4. The "Sawing" Floss Method
Are you snapping the floss straight down and "sawing" back and forth? You might be cutting your gum tissue. This creates little wounds that are prone to infection and doesn't actually clean the sides of the teeth effectively.
- The Fix: Use the "C-shape" technique. Wrap the floss around the curve of the tooth and slide it gently up and down. If traditional floss feels like a chore, try a water flosser, they're great for people with dental implants in Utah or those with braces.
5. The Immediate Post-Coffee Brush
Salt Lake City loves its local brews (and its sodas!). If you brush immediately after drinking something acidic like coffee, soda, or citrus juice, you're brushing while your enamel is in a softened state. This friction can irritate the gums and wear down enamel.
- The Fix: Rinse with water after your drink and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing. This gives your saliva time to neutralize the acid.
6. Holding Onto a "Vintage" Toothbrush
Is your toothbrush frayed and looking like a dandelion? Worn-out bristles are sharp and jagged. Instead of cleaning, they can actually cause micro-tears in your gum tissue, leading to sensitivity and recession.
- The Fix: Treat yourself to a new brush every three months. If you’ve been sick, swap it out even sooner to avoid reintroducing bacteria to your mouth.
7. Thinking Gums are "Secondary" to Teeth
Many people wait until they have a toothache to visit an emergency dentist near me. But gum disease is often silent. You might not feel pain until your teeth start to feel loose. By then, you might be looking at all on 4 dental implants or dentures rather than a simple cleaning.
- The Fix: Regular check-ups are key. We prioritize your comfort with noise-canceling headphones and ceiling-mounted TVs, so your "gum check" feels more like a break from your day than a dental chore.
Meet Your Local Expert: Dr. Todd Vincent
When you visit Salt Flats Dentistry, you’re likely to meet Dr. Todd Vincent. Unlike some corporate offices where you see a different face every time, Dr. Vincent is a local fixture who treats his patients like neighbors.
Dr. Vincent grew up right here in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains. When he’s not helping patients achieve a perfect smile with same day crowns or sedation dentistry in Utah, you can find him hiking the local trails or spending time with his family. He’s a big believer in gentle care, he knows dental anxiety is real, and he’s built his practice to be a safe, calm space for everyone.
Common Questions About Gum Health in SLC
Do you accept Medicaid for gum treatments?
Yes! We know how hard it can be to find a reliable Medicaid dentist in Utah. Our South Bangerter location in Riverton is specifically set up to accept Medicaid, ensuring your whole family can get the periodontal care they need.
What if I’m terrified of the dentist?
We specialize in "anxiety-free" dentistry. Whether it’s just a cleaning or a more intensive gum treatment, we offer sedation dentistry in Utah to help you literally sleep through your appointment. You can also zone out with our noise-canceling headphones and ceiling TVs.
Can gum disease cause my teeth to fall out?
Unfortunately, yes. Gum disease (periodontitis) is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. However, it is preventable and treatable. If you have missing teeth already, we offer everything from dental implants in Utah to all on 4 dental implants to restore your smile.
Visit Us Today!
Don't wait for a dental crisis to find an emergency dentist near me. Take care of your gums now so your smile lasts a lifetime.
Salt Flats Dentistry – Cottonwood (Murray)
6095 S Fashion Blvd #200, Murray, UT 84107
Phone: 801-262-4662
Salt Flats Dentistry – Herriman/Riverton
5069 13400 S #200, Riverton, UT 84096
Phone: 385-766-1717
Salt Flats Dentistry – Bangerter (Accepts Medicaid)
3816 13400 S #200, Riverton, UT 84065
Phone: 385-533-9393