Gum Disease (Periodontal Health)

Excellent oral hygiene (CRITICAL—disrupt bacterial biofilm daily): Brush 2x/day minimum (preferably after every meal, soft-bristle brush or electric—Sonicare or Oral-B effective, gentle circular motions, 2 minutes, brush gum line—where plaque accumulates, don't scrub hard—damages gums), Floss daily (remove plaque between teeth—where toothbrush doesn't reach, use proper technique—curve around each tooth, go below gum line gently), Water flosser (Waterpik—highly effective, especially if dexterity issues or braces, use AFTER flossing or instead of), Interdental brushes (if large spaces between teeth), Tongue scraping (remove bacteria from tongue—contributes to gum disease, bad breath), Antimicrobial rinse (oil pulling, ozonated water, herbal rinse, chlorhexidine short-term if prescribed—see below), Electric toothbrush (more effective than manual for plaque removal—Sonicare, Oral-B), Replace toothbrush every 3 months (bristles wear out, bacteria accumulate), Oil pulling (traditional Ayurvedic—coconut oil, sesame oil, 10-20 min before brushing, swish then spit, don't swallow, reduces bacteria, plaque, gingivitis—studies support), Ozonated water (ozone generator—antimicrobial rinse, disrupts biofilm), Professional cleanings (every 3-6 months—removes tartar, calculus; more frequent if active gum disease—3 months), Deep cleaning if needed (scaling and root planing—if pockets >4mm, removes bacteria/tartar below gum line, may need local anesthesia, quadrant at a time), Laser therapy (LANAP—laser-assisted new attachment procedure, less invasive alternative to surgery for advanced gum disease, removes bacteria, stimulates healing), Quit smoking (MAJOR risk factor—impairs blood flow to gums, impairs healing, increases bone loss, smokers 6x more likely to develop gum disease), Manage diabetes (if diabetic—tight blood sugar control critical, high blood sugar impairs immune function and healing, worsens gum disease), Stress management (chronic stress affects immune function, increases cortisol—worsens gum disease), Adequate sleep (immune function, healing), Probiotic lozenges (oral probiotics—Lactobacillus reuteri, recolonize mouth with beneficial bacteria, reduce pathogens), Vitamin C supplementation (gum healing—especially if deficient or smoker), CoQ10 (gum health—shown to improve outcomes), Omega-3 (reduce inflammation), Avoid mouth breathing (dries mouth—saliva protects gums, breathe through nose), Correct bite issues (if malocclusion, grinding, clenching contributing—see dentist, orthodontist, night guard), Treat underlying conditions (autoimmune, hormonal imbalances—affect gum health), Monitor (regular dental check-ups, measure pocket depths—track progress, early intervention prevents tooth loss)