How does mijngebit work?
Full version
The background and workings of the programme, for those who want to understand more.
Why measure?
Most people know they should brush better. But knowing is different from seeing. When you watch a number fall, from 70% to 40% to 20%, abstract knowledge becomes tangible proof of your own effort. That is exactly what mijngebit.info is built on: not prescribing, but showing.
Bleeding gums are a signal that oral hygiene needs attention. But bleeding is also a measurable fact. Measurements that consistently fall are the strongest motivation there is.
The bleeding score — how is it measured?
You use an interdental brush or pick to gently go back and forth through the gaps between your front teeth. You measure at 10 locations: 5 gaps on top and 5 on the bottom, at the front of your mouth.
Step by step
Why only 10 locations?
Statistically, this already provides a representative picture of oral hygiene. People who rarely clean interdentally almost always show 80–100% bleeding; daily cleaners are typically at 20% or less. The simplicity of the method allows for consistent repetition and comparison without complex equipment.
Bleeding at home?
Do your gums bleed when you brush or use interdental brushes? That is the same signal as in the measurement. It is not a reason to stop. Be gentle with yourself. If today does not go perfectly, tomorrow will be better, because your good oral hygiene is healing the inflamed gum tissue.
The plaque score — how is it measured?
Plaque is invisible to the naked eye. A disclosing tablet makes the bacterial layers visible as red or purple staining. You assess 10 front teeth: the outer (buccal) surface of 5 on top and 5 on the bottom.
Step by step
Two colours — two timepoints
Some disclosing products colour old plaque purple and new plaque red. This immediately shows which spots are consistently missed (purple, present longer) and which have only recently been neglected (red). This lets you adjust your brushing technique precisely.
Understanding the scores
Both scores range from 0% to 100% in steps of 10%. The thresholds are based on international research into gingivitis.
Under 20% — healthy
Your gums are healthy. International guidelines use ≤20% as the threshold for good oral health. Keep it up!
30% – 40% — doing well
You're on the right track. Continuing daily interdental cleaning is the key to reaching the green zone.
50% – 60% — room for improvement
This needs to improve. Think about which step is achievable: brushing more often, an electric toothbrush, or interdental brushes.
70% and above — take notice
A high score is not unusual. Bleeding responds quickly to consistent interdental cleaning. When in doubt, consult your dentist or hygienist.
The 10% step approach allows objective comparison over time without complex equipment.
The 4-week programme in detail
The programme is designed around a biological fact: inflamed gum tissue that is cleaned daily recovers visibly within 1 to 2 weeks. Four weeks allow time for two recovery cycles and the formation of a habit.
Your starting point. Bleeding and plaque scores are recorded as a reference. However high the score, this is your departure point, not a judgement. Any improvement from today is progress.
After the measurement you can optionally upload a photo. A visual starting point.
First measurement after a week of daily cleaning. After just 7 days of daily interdental cleaning, bleeding noticeably decreases. For many people, this is the first concrete confirmation that it works.
It is normal if the plaque score has not changed much yet; plaque responds more slowly to behaviour change than bleeding does.
A trend is appearing in your chart. The direction of that line, downward, is the most powerful motivator. Two data points already form a pattern you can recognise as your own improvement.
Tip: compare today's measurement with day 0. Not with day 7. The total distance is the greatest and the most encouraging.
After three weeks of daily use, new habits begin to stick. Research on habit formation shows that 21 days of consistent behaviour is the strongest predictor of lasting change.
After this measurement you indicate which habit you want to maintain in the coming week, as an intention for day 28.
The final goal. People who clean interdentally every day and brush twice daily (preferably with an electric toothbrush) typically achieve a bleeding score of 20% or less. Your chart tells the full story.
After day 28 you choose how you continue.
Your dashboard is always open, but measure once a week
You can view your charts, photo timeline and progress at any time. However, there is only one measurement window per week. This is deliberate: oral hygiene needs time to respond to behaviour change, and daily measurements would give a misleading picture. The dashboard always shows when the next measurement window opens.
Feel like looking more often? That is fine. You can always view your charts and photos. But wait to measure until the window opens.
The support emails — when and why
Behaviour change works best with regular encouragement at the right moments. That is why you automatically receive four support emails:
First encouragement
Three days have passed since the baseline measurement. Enough time to notice whether the new habit is taking hold. This email asks how it is going and gives tips for the first week, including the secret of good interdental cleaning: brace against your cheek for stability.
Halfway through week 2
You have already completed one measurement. This email reminds you of what works and encourages you to keep going, even on harder days. Bleeding that has decreased over the first two weeks is proof that you are on the right track.
Three weeks in
You are past the three-week mark, the point at which new habits begin to stick. This email goes deeper and encourages you through the final stretch to day 28.
After the final measurement
The programme is almost done. This email looks back at your results and explains the options for continuing. The choice is always yours.
What if I miss a measurement?
The programme has a built-in buffer. The measurement window is 24 hours wide, with an extra buffer of 48 hours. You do not need to measure exactly on day 7, 14, 21 or 28. A day earlier or later works too. The app lets you know when the window opens and sends a reminder the day before.
Want to skip a measurement? That is fine. The chart will simply show fewer data points. No problem.
After 4 weeks — your choice
After day 28 you have proved you can do it. Now you choose whether and how to continue:
Sources and background
The bleeding scoring method is based on the gingival bleeding index, developed for use in clinical practice. The choice of 10 measurement points at the front makes the method reproducible without complex equipment.
The ≤20% norm for healthy gums is drawn from international guidelines for the assessment of gingivitis. The 10% step approach (0–100%) with a unique emphasis on intermediate categories is a mijngebit.info approach.
Habit formation after 21 days: reference to Lally et al. (2010), "How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world", European Journal of Social Psychology.
mijngebit.info is not a medical device. If in doubt, consult your dentist.