My teeth have caused me a lot of anxiety. When I first started Blueprint I was not in a good place. My gums were receding, my teeth were eroding, and my diet was full of sugar. 

I felt helpless and it was hard to look at my teeth in the mirror. If you feel similarly: you are not alone. Caring for your teeth is manageable and reversing damage is possible. 

After three years on Blueprint: 

• My dentist reports “you have the gums of a healthy teenager”
• My plaque index is 24.4% which is ideal
• I solved the destructive bruxism I dealt with for 20 years  
• My gingival and calculus index was 0, the lowest possible and equal to an 18 year old
• And I’ve reduced my attachment loss by 41%

This is important because keeping your mouth healthy is key to overall health. Optimal oral care can prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and even lower your risk of heart disease. 

Here is how you can achieve similar results:

Ask your dentist:

With anything with Blueprint, it’s important to understand your baseline. Ask your dentist to evaluate: 

• Attachment loss: the loss of supportive tissue around teeth. Poor attachment can lead to tooth loss if severe.
• Pocket depth: measures from the top of the gum line to the bottom of the pocket where the gum attaches to the tooth. Healthy gums have a pocket depth of 1-3 mm. Three years ago I had several pockets that were 5 mm deep.
• Plaque index: measures the thickness of dental plaque on the tooth’s surface.  My dentist stained my mouth with a solution that reveals the plaque. She then assigned numbers to the various levels of plaque and on what parts of the teeth. My plaque levels were ideal. 

Gums bleed: you want gums that don’t bleed easily. A good sign was that my dentist continually poked my gums trying to get them to bleed but was unsuccessful. She mentioned that my gum health is better than many of the teenagers she sees, setting aside those with bad oral health habits.

Oral care protocol:

Nine steps you can follow to get your oral health in order:

1. Waterpik: The first thing I do in my protocol is use a water pick. It uses a high-pressure stream of water to remove food, plaque, and bacteria from hard-to-reach places. Morning & night. - Amazon
2. Floss: After using the Waterpik to loosen particles, I use floss for plaque and debris removal. I use Dr. Tongue's because it's thicker and showed a 25%+ increase in plaque removal in studies we reviewed. Morning & night. - Amazon 
3. Brush: I use an electric brush, but you may prefer a manual. I enjoy soft bristles as it cleans effectively without unneeded harshness on the tooth or gums. Morning & night. - Amazon 
4. Toothpaste: I am currently using two types of toothpastes, neither of which have fluoride. Morning & night. - Amazon
5. Tongue Scraper: This is a game changer. If it’s not part of your oral routine, I encourage you to try. It can significantly improve oral hygiene. Morning & night. - Amazon 
6. Mouthwash: If you plan on smooching that special someone, you can freshen up with a Xylitol mouthwash. Give your partner the very best. Morning & night. - Amazon 
7. Tea Tree Oil: I previously used tea tree oil, 2-3 drops with 2 oz of water. Recently I discontinued using it. Years ago it helped improve my oral health. Now that my baseline is back to ideal I have not needed it in my protocol. - Amazon
8. Bruxism Device: For 20 years I was grinding my teeth at night. If you have Bruxism, I strongly encourage you to address it. A dentist on Blueprint recommended the SomnoDent Bruxism Device, and for the first time in my life, my Bruxism has stopped. Wear while sleeping. - Link
9. Cleanings: Make sure you visit your dentist at least 2 times a year. It is important to identify problems early and remove hardened plaque. Even with diligent brushing and flossing at home, it's difficult to remove all plaque from your teeth.

Oral Hygiene Tips:

• Reduce sugar: Try sugar alternatives like Trehalose, Monk Fruit, Xylitol, and Allulose. 
• Acidic Liquid: Avoid extended exposure to acidic fluids, such as coffee and lemon water.
• Avoid dry mouth: Staying hydrated. Saliva protects your teeth by washing away food debris, neutralizing acid, carrying essential ions like calcium, which help remineralize your enamel, making it stronger.
• Wait to brush: I avoid brushing my teeth 30 minutes after eating as tooth enamel is temporarily softened. 
• Travel Toothbrush: If I spend the day on-the-go, I’ll take a travel toothbrush with me. Throughout the day you can sneak away to a bathroom and give your teeth a clean. 

Follow these steps and you’ll be off to a great start.

Bryan

Disclaimer: this blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician.