Hi Pam,

I have been using toothpicks, in a double toothpick holder, to run along my gum lines as part of my morning dental routine.
I also use toothpicks to press between my teeth (again in the morning, using the same type of double toothpick holder). I then clean between my teeth at the gumline (molars only) using one of those small round brushes. I use a manual toothbrush in the morning. Note that my periodontist liked the toothpicks and my regular dentist liked the small round brushes (I had a root planing several years before my cancer treatment).

In the evenings I floss. I use a Sonacare toothbrush in the evening.

I recall my feeling some pain in my gums during radiation treatment due to pressure, but I'm quite sure I kept up this routine, except maybe just doing lighter manual brushing only due to painful gums.

Of course, I also used (and continue to use) sodium flouride twice per day (using trays).

I am more than 3 years out of treatment, and continue to get kudo's on each 6-month cleaning.

So, I did and continue to do nothing super fancy, but so far my routine has been effective.

Best wishes,

Chris


SCC left tonsil, 2 lymph nodes, modified radical neck dissection, IMRT (both sides) completed 10/25/06, Erbitux and Cisplatin weekly, Ethyol daily