Homecare For Gum Disease

What you do at home every day has a greater impact on your oral health than any single dental visit.

Brushing: Technique Over Force

Twice-daily brushing minimum
Soft-bristle or electric toothbrushes
Gentle angles at the gumline
At least 2 full minutes per session
Brushing aggressively does not clean better—it damages tissue and worsens recession. Precision and consistency are more important than pressure

Toothbrushes

Recommended options generally include:

Electric toothbrushes with pressure sensors
Soft or ultra-soft manual brushes for sensitive gums
Small brush heads for precision around the gumline
Worn bristles do not clean effectively and can injure inflamed tissue. Brushes should be replaced every 2–3 months.

NIMBUS A high-quality, extra soft, my choice LOW COST

Philips Sonicare Standard is tried and true

EMMI-DENT is a new technology, especially if your gums are sensitive

Do not use a rotary head toothbrush.

Interdental Tools

I prefer interdental stimulators over floss. Picks for narrower spaces and the brush and rubber tip for larger spaces. Using the interdental with baking soda covering them is also a plus.

Effective options include:

GUM Soft Picks

GUM Proxabrush

GUM Rubber tip stimulator

Tongue Scraping

Tongue Scraping is a critical part of biofilm management. My favorite is Dr Tung’s.

Dr Tung’s Tongue Scraper

How to properly scrape your tongue

Use a stainless steel or copper scraper
Stick your tongue out naturally
Place the scraper gently at the back of the tongue
Pull forward with light pressure
Rinse the scraper after each pass
Repeat 5–10 strokes
Do this first thing in the morning

Toothpaste

Ideal toothpaste formulations often include:

Low-abrasion formulas
Anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial ingredients

Avoid excessively abrasive whitening pastes unless directed by your dental provider.

Arm & Hammer PEROXICARE

ZERO Pro

CariFree if the predominant issue is decay

Peroxyl & Baking Soda LOW COST

Water Flosser

Waterpik

Water Flosser

Larry Page DDS PHD Protocol VERY LOW COST

Dr Larry Page is a Periodontist and a PhD microbiologist who worked with Dr Tom Rams and Dr Paul Keyes. He has had tremendous long-term success using diluted (BLEACH) sodium hypochlorite in an oral irrigator. There is considerable research around this from Jorgen Slots, a famous periodontist. I have personally used this over a long period of time, and it is safe and effective. These are my recommendations. I use a very inexpensive Waterpik because the solution is corrosive and will shorten the life of the Waterpik. Even after rinsing after each use the Waterpik will last from 6 to 12 months. I use measuring spoons to dispense the bleach into the Water Pik. (1/2 teaspoon) in a 600 ml reservoir. This is a very mild swimming pool concentration. I store the bleach in a condiment squeeze bottle dispenser with a cap that makes it easy to dispense. Here are the links.

Economical Water Pik

Dispenser

Teaspoons

Oral Rinses

Beneficial rinse categories may include:

Antimicrobial rinses
Oxygenating rinses
Xylitol-based formulations
Herbal anti-inflammatory rinses

Your dental team may also recommend therapeutic antimicrobial cycles for higher-risk periods.

Therapeutic – By RX For use while undergoing periodontal therapy

Molecular iodine Can Be Diluted for Waterflosseer

Therasol Can Be Diluted for Water Flosser

Carifree Treatment Rinse

Sodium Hypochlorite – Page Protocol Can Be Diluted for Water Flosser LOW COST

Daily Maintenance – For long-term maintenance

Oracare

Carifree Maintenance Rinse

Saliva Support Products

Maintaining moisture is essential to:

Protect enamel
Control bacterial growth
Prevent fungal infections
Improve comfort and swallowing

For patients with dry mouth, products may include:

Saliva substitutes
Oral moisturizing gels
Xylitol lozenges or sprays
Prescription salivary stimulants, when necessary

Biotine

Xyliments

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics are an interesting emerging category. Meant to stabilize the oral microbiome toward a healthy tilt. AOXcare is a new technology that shows great promise for both patients with gum disease and those with dental implants.

AOXcare This is a game-changing product!!!!!

Stella Life

Probiora

Supplements and the Oral-Systemic Connection

Under professional guidance, some diabetic patients benefit from:

Vitamin D support for immune balance
Omega-3 fatty acids for inflammation control
Probiotic or prebiotic support for microbiome modulation
Collagen and mineral support for tissue healing