GingivaGuard: Complete Gum Care Guide

Health Dashboard

Welcome to your interactive guide for gum health. Periodontal health is a window to your overall well-being. Use this dashboard to assess your current symptoms and understand the urgency of care.

Interactive Symptom Checker

Select all that apply to see a risk assessment.

Did you know?

47.2%

30 years and above, the majority of adults suffer from some type of periodontal disease.

Source: CDC / EKE Surveillance

The Spectrum of Gum Disease

Gum disease isn't binary; it's a progression. Understanding where you stand on this spectrum is critical for effective treatment. Click the stages below to explore the physiological changes.

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Healthy Gums

REVERSIBLE

Visual Signs

Light pink, solid, with a stippled texture resembling an orange peel. Does not bleed when brushed.

What's Happening

The gum tissue securely wraps around the tooth, with the bone level intact to keep it firmly in place, and no pockets deeper than 3mm present.

Required Action

Stick to the routine: Brush twice a day, floss once a day, and get a professional cleaning every 6 months.

The Optimal Routine

Consistency beats intensity. A perfect routine takes about 5-7 minutes. Use this interactive checklist to audit your current habits.

Step 1: Interdental Cleaning (Flossing)

PRIOR TO BRUSHING

Remove particles between teeth prior to brushing by utilizing string floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser. Remember to shape the floss around the tooth in a C formation.

Step 2: The Modified Bass Technique

2 MINUTES

Angle the brush at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline and use gentle circular motions, avoiding horizontal scrubbing. Be sure to cover all surfaces including the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces.

Step 3: Tongue Cleaning

10 SECONDS

Brushing from the back to the front can help remove bacteria on the tongue that contribute to gum disease and bad breath.

Step 4: Spit, Don't Rinse

CRITICAL

Expel any extra toothpaste, then wait before rinsing to let the fluoride work its magic on your teeth and gums, helping to strengthen enamel.

Routine Efficacy Score

0 /100

Select steps to calculate your routine's protection level.

Data-Driven Care

Different tools serve different purposes. Our visualization of clinical data can assist in choosing the best methods for interdental cleaning and assessing risk factors.

Plaque Removal Effectiveness

Comparing different interdental cleaning techniques for reducing gingival bleeding and plaque.

Data approximated from Cochrane Reviews on Interdental Brushing vs Flossing.

Contributors to Periodontitis

Relative impact of various risk factors on disease progression.

Based on generalized periodontal risk assessment models.

Key Takeaway

Data suggests that despite dental floss being the most common tool, Interdental Brushes While space allows for significantly more effective plaque removal, success with all tools primarily depends on technique.

Nutrition & Risk Factors

Good gum health starts with internal care. Nutritional deficiencies can harm gum tissue, and unhealthy habits can speed up bone loss.

The Gum Health Diet

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Vitamin C

Necessary for the synthesis of collagen. Insufficient levels can lead to weakened and bleeding gums (similar to scurvy).
Eat: Citrus, Bell Peppers, Kiwi.

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Vitamin K

Crucial for blood clotting. Helps reduce bleeding during cleaning.
Eat: Spinach, Kale, Leafy Greens.

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Hydration

Saliva acts as a natural defense against bacteria, but dehydration can cause dry mouth, leading to higher plaque acidity.
Action: Drink water after every meal.

The Danger Zone

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Smoking / Vaping

The top risk factor: Nicotine constricts blood vessels, hiding signs of bleeding and speeding up bone decay.

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Sugar & Starch

Sugar nourishes the particular bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) responsible for producing the acid and toxins that lead to gingivitis.

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Bruxism (Grinding)

Too much pressure on teeth can harm the periodontal ligament and bone, exacerbating gum disease that is already present.