oral hygiene recommendationsDentist Silverlake LA
What Dr. Barkhordar Actually Recommends - and Why
Walk down the oral care aisle at any drugstore and you’ll find dozens of toothbrushes, flosses, rinses, and toothpastes all claiming to be the best. The reality is that most of them are fine — and a few of them are genuinely worth seeking out. After years of treating patients in Silver Lake and seeing firsthand what makes a real difference in long-term oral health, Dr. Barkhordar has put together his personal recommendations for the products he trusts most. These aren’t sponsored endorsements — just honest clinical guidance based on what works.
Electric Toothbrush - Philips Sonicare
If there is one single upgrade that makes the biggest difference in home oral care, it’s switching from a manual toothbrush to a Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush. The sonic vibration technology produces tens of thousands of brush strokes per minute — far more than any manual brush — and creates a dynamic fluid action that cleans beyond where the bristles actually touch. Studies consistently show that electric toothbrushes, and Sonicare in particular, remove significantly more plaque than manual brushing and produce measurable improvements in gum health over time.
Why Sonicare specifically:
- Sonic technology is gentler on gums and enamel than oscillating-rotating brushes
- Built-in two-minute timer ensures you’re brushing long enough
- Pressure sensor models alert you if you’re brushing too hard — a common cause of gum recession
- Compatible with a wide range of replacement brush heads for different needs
Our recommendation: Any Sonicare model under $90 with a pressure sensor and two-minute timer. Replace the brush head every three months or when the bristles begin to fray — whichever comes first.
Floss - Oral-B Glide and Waterpik
Brushing alone — even with a Sonicare — only cleans about 60% of your tooth surfaces. The remaining 40% are the contact areas between teeth, where a toothbrush bristle simply cannot reach. Flossing those surfaces once daily is the single most important thing you can do to prevent cavities between teeth and gum disease below the contact points.
Oral-B Glide floss is Dr. Barkhordar’s top recommendation for most patients. Its PTFE construction slides smoothly through tight contacts without shredding or breaking — a common frustration with waxed string floss that causes many patients to give up on flossing altogether. It’s gentle on the gums, easy to control, and available in most drugstores and grocery stores.
Flossing tips:
- Floss once daily — timing doesn’t matter, just make it consistent
- Curve the floss into a C-shape around each tooth and slide gently beneath the gumline — don’t just snap it between the teeth
- Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth
- If your gums bleed when you floss, don’t stop — bleeding typically resolves within one to two weeks of consistent flossing as the gum tissue becomes healthier
For patients with bridges, implants, or braces: A Waterpik water flosser is an excellent complement to or substitute for traditional floss in areas that are difficult to reach with string.
Anticavity Mouthwash - ACT
For patients who are cavity-prone, have a history of frequent decay, wear orthodontic appliances, have dry mouth, or simply want an extra layer of protection, ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse is Dr. Barkhordar’s go-to recommendation.
ACT contains sodium fluoride at a concentration specifically designed for daily over-the-counter use. Fluoride strengthens enamel by remineralizing areas of early demineralization — essentially reversing the very earliest stages of cavity formation before they become actual holes in the tooth. Used daily as a rinse after brushing and flossing, it provides a fluoride treatment to the entire mouth in under a minute.
How to use:
- Rinse for 60 seconds after brushing and flossing
- Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after rinsing to allow the fluoride to absorb
- Not recommended for children under six
Best for: Cavity-prone patients, patients with dry mouth, patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, patients with crowns or restorations at risk of recurrent decay around the margins.
Antibacterial Mouthrinse - CloSYS
CloSYS is a unique mouthrinse that uses stabilized chlorine dioxide to neutralize the sulfur-producing bacteria responsible for bad breath, gum inflammation, and early gum disease — without alcohol, without harsh burning, and without disrupting the natural balance of the oral microbiome the way many alcohol-based rinses do.
Unlike conventional antiseptic rinses that can cause staining, dryness, or altered taste sensation with long-term use, CloSYS is gentle enough for daily use and is particularly well-suited for patients with sensitive gums, patients recovering from periodontal treatment, and patients who find alcohol-based rinses uncomfortable.
Why Dr. Barkhordar recommends it:
- Alcohol-free — no burning, no dryness
- Clinically shown to reduce bacteria associated with gum disease
- pH-balanced to protect enamel
- Odor-neutralizing rather than just masking bad breath
- Safe for daily long-term use
How to use:
- Rinse for 60 seconds before or after brushing
- Can be used in combination with ACT — use CloSYS at a separate time of day for maximum benefit. For example CloSYS in the morning and ACT at night.
Best for: Patients with gum disease or a history of periodontal treatment, patients with chronic bad breath, patients with gum sensitivity, and anyone wanting a gentle daily antibacterial rinse.
Mineralizing Toothpaste - Boka (Nano-Hydroxyapatite)
This is a recommendation that goes beyond standard oral hygiene — and it’s one Dr. Barkhordar makes specifically for patients who need extra support for their enamel and gum health.
Hydroxyapatite is the mineral that makes up approximately 97% of tooth enamel and 70% of dentin. Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) toothpaste uses microscopic hydroxyapatite particles that integrate directly into the enamel surface, physically filling in early microscopic lesions, reducing sensitivity, and strengthening and remineralizing enamel — all without fluoride.
Dr. Barkhordar recommends an additional dedicated brushing session with nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste for:
- High cavity risk patients — nHA provides powerful remineralization of early decay that hasn’t yet become a cavity, effectively reversing early damage
- Patients with tooth sensitivity — nHA physically occludes the dentinal tubules responsible for sensitivity, producing measurable and lasting relief
- Patients with gum recession — exposed root surfaces are composed of cementum and dentin rather than enamel, making them significantly more vulnerable to decay and sensitivity. nHA remineralizes and protects these exposed surfaces in a way that regular toothpaste does not
- Patients who prefer to minimize fluoride — nHA is a highly effective fluoride-free alternative for remineralization, supported by a growing body of clinical research
How to use: This is not a replacement for your regular fluoride toothpaste — it’s an addition. Think of it as a targeted treatment session for your teeth.
- Brush with your regular toothpaste (morning and night) as usual
- Add a third brushing session — ideally before bed after your regular brushing — using nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste
- Brush gently for two minutes, focusing on sensitive areas, areas of recession, or areas your dentist has identified as high-risk
- Do not rinse after — allow the nHA to remain in contact with the tooth surface
Recommended products: Look for nano-hydroxyapatite toothpastes with a concentration of 10% nHA. Brands such as Boka, Jason’s, Risewell, and Apagard are widely available online and in specialty stores.
Putting it All Together - Daily Routine
Here’s how these products fit together into a practical daily routine:
Morning:
- Brush with Philips Sonicare and your regular fluoride toothpaste for two minutes
- Floss with Oral-B Glide
- Rinse with CloSYS for 60 seconds
Evening:
- Floss with Oral-B Glide
- Brush with Philips Sonicare and your regular fluoride toothpaste for two minutes
- Rinse with ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse for 60 seconds — do not eat or drink afterward
- For high-risk patients: Follow with a third brushing session using nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste — do not rinse after
This routine takes approximately eight to ten minutes total — a small investment for a lifetime of healthier teeth.
Schedule Your Next Visit
Great home care between visits is essential — but it works best when combined with regular professional cleanings and exams. We recommend most patients come in every six months, and patients with a history of gum disease or higher cavity risk every three to four months.
We serve patients from Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, Atwater Village, Glassell Park, Highland Park, and Glendale. Call Silverlake Dental Group at (323) 922-6016 or request an appointment online. We’re at 2390 Glendale Blvd in Silver Lake, open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with free parking in the back.
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