Switching toothpaste was a game changer for me too. I ditched SLS about two years ago after my dentist mentioned it could be irritating my gums. Honestly, I was skeptical at first because I'd been using the same brand forever, but within a couple weeks, I noticed less redness and irritation. Oil pulling, though...I tried it for a month or so, and while it felt soothing, I didn't see much difference personally. Maybe I wasn't consistent enough?
One thing that really helped me was adding a water flosser into my routine. Regular flossing always felt harsh on my gums, especially when they were inflamed. The water flosser was gentler and seemed to clean deeper without causing more irritation. It took a bit of getting used to—water everywhere the first few times—but now it's second nature.
Another small tip: rinsing with warm salt water occasionally. My hygienist recommended it as a simple home remedy, and it genuinely calms things down when my gums flare up. It's cheap, easy, and surprisingly effective.
Curious if anyone's tried probiotics specifically for oral health? I've read some promising stuff about balancing oral bacteria, but haven't taken the plunge yet. Wondering if it's worth adding to the mix or just another trendy supplement...
"Curious if anyone's tried probiotics specifically for oral health? I've read some promising stuff about balancing oral bacteria, but haven't taken the plunge yet."
I've had a few patients try oral probiotics, and results seem mixed. Some people swear by them, noticing less inflammation and fresher breath, while others don't see much difference at all. It might depend on your specific oral microbiome or the particular probiotic strains used. If you're already doing well with the water flosser and salt rinses (both great choices, btw), probiotics could be worth a shot as an extra boost. Just keep in mind they're not a miracle cure—more like another tool in your oral care toolbox.
Also, totally agree about the water flosser...it can be messy at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's a real lifesaver for sensitive gums. Glad you found something that works!
If you're already doing well with the water flosser and salt rinses (both great choices, btw), probiotics could be worth a shot as an extra boost.
Yeah, probiotics are hit or miss for sure. I've tried them myself and honestly didn't notice a huge difference—maybe my mouth bacteria are just stubborn little jerks, lol. But the water flosser? Total game changer once you stop spraying your bathroom mirror every night...
Haha, the mirror thing is so relatable. Took me a good week to stop accidentally soaking my entire bathroom counter...
"Yeah, probiotics are hit or miss for sure."
Same here—I gave probiotics a shot after my dentist suggested them, but honestly didn't notice much difference either. Maybe it depends on the brand or something? But salt rinses have been surprisingly helpful for me. I was skeptical at first (like, how could something so simple actually help?), but after a few days my gums felt way less irritated and sensitive. Still nervous about my next dentist appointment, but at least things seem headed in the right direction now. Fingers crossed...
Haha, glad I'm not the only one who flooded their bathroom counter at first. Salt rinses are surprisingly solid, yeah—I thought it was just some old-school grandma advice at first, but turns out grandma knew her stuff. I've also heard good things about aloe vera gel for irritated gums, but haven't tried it myself yet...anyone here given that a shot? Curious if it's worth the hype or just another meh remedy.
