The toothpaste that heals bleeding gums

Using toothpaste with baking soda helps ease the pain and bleeding of gingivitis. That’s the word from researchers reporting in The Journal of Clinical Dentistry, who found that using a baking soda toothpaste twice daily reduced bleeding by 47% after six months. The reason: Baking soda balances the mouth’s pH and boasts antibacterial properties that kill gingivitis-causing bacteria. For an even healthier smile, use a dry toothbrush for two minutes before adding toothpaste—a strategy that’s been shown in other studies to cut gum bleeding by 55%.