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There are a
number of successful oral health care products available in grocery
stores and drug stores. We have a few favorites, and the staff
would love to share their recommendations with you.
 Toothpastes: We like most all fluoride toothpastes,
as low concentrations of fluoride help to strengthen enamel, and
can even help repair enamel that has early pre-cavity damage.
Colgate Total Toothpaste
Tammi says, “Colgate Total is a great fluoride toothpaste, and it
is especially helpful in helping to control gingivitis.”
Prescription-Strength Fluoride Toothpastes
Dr. Kelly says, “ Higher strength toothpaste, such as Control Rx,
Prevident 5000+, or Flouridex, have five times the amount of fluoride
as regular toothpastes to help slow down the process of tooth decay
and to help minimize hypersensitivity.”
Spry Toothpaste with Xylitol
Cristin says, “I highly recommend both the Spry brand toothpaste
and oral rinse with xylitol. When the bacteria and harmful
acids in your mouth are exposed to xylitol, their ability to adhere
to the surface of the tooth is diminished, and frequent use can
help to fight tooth decay. This product leaves your mouth
feeling cool, clean, and refreshed.”
Fluoride-Free Toothpastes for Toddlers
Kristi says, “I recommend Oral B Fluoride-Free toothpaste for little
ones who can’t yet spit out their toothpaste. It helps clean
their teeth, tastes good and it is safe to swallow. Kids
really get a kick out of having their own special toothpaste!”
MI
Paste
Kristi says, “As someone who has suffered from tooth hypersensitivity
in the past, I have found MI Paste to be really helpful. It
also can re-mineralize enamel to ward off sensitivity where other
products, such as over-the-counter sensitivity toothpastes, have
not helped.”
Products for cleaning in between teeth: We
all know that toothbrush bristles can’t reach between teeth, and
there are many good options to help. You’ll see from the variety
of recommendations below, that personal preference can surely dictate
your choice of inter-dental cleaning aids.
Woven
Dental Flosses
Stacy
says, “Woven floss helps scrub between teeth surfaces better that
smooth floss,
helping
to remove the sticky plaque more effectively.”
Waxed Dental
Floss
Dr Kelly says, “I prefer waxed dental floss, such as Johnson and
Johnson Waxed Mint Dental Floss. However, if a certain other type
of floss works best in your mouth, then I give that a thumbs-up,
too!”
Glide tape
Dr. Jenn says, “I love using Glide tape. The smooth texture
helps this floss slide easily between my teeth. And, the bulk
of the tape is very effective at removing plaque and food particles
from between the teeth. It's the best of both worlds!
Butler
Soft Picks
Christy
says, “Soft picks rock! They are super easy and feel awesome
on your gums.
They are also great for people who have braces. I love them
so much I give them to friends and family for birthday gifts. . .
try them!”
Proxabrushes
Jackie says, “Got wire? I recommend Proxabrushes for cleaning
beneath the wire and in between brackets of braces. These nifty
little brushes are specially contoured to reach the small areas where
food and plaque get trapped. Got spinach? Remove the
evidence with a Traveler – the compact version of the Proxabrush. It
has a lid for cleanliness and fits in a pocket for a quick cleaning
after lunch at school or work.”
Stimudents
Leah says,"Stimudents are triangular shaped toothpicks that come in a convenient-to-carry
paper pouch. They are made of birch wood which makes them softer
than other picks and feel more gentle on your gums. The shape is
the same as the papilla between the teeth so they provide excellent
gum stimulation. Massaging gums increases blood flow through them
which removes the pus and toxins that develops in gum disease.
The Stimudent is a tool which when used properly helps to fight
the process of further bone loss in periodontal disease."
Glide Floss Threaders
Carole says, “These make flossing under bridges and braces so much
easier! They are individually wrapped single pieces of floss
with a stiff end to help you thread your way through tight spots. They
also work well with bonded retainers.”
Toothbrushes: We
only and always recommend soft-bristled toothbrushes, which can
clean your teeth thoroughly without abrading the gums or root surfaces. We
also really like electric toothbrushes, as you’ll see below.
Sonicare
Dr. Sally says, "Sonicare is my personal favorite of electric toothbrushes, although I like many of the power brushes. Our patients using sonicare have improved their gum health and reduced staining."
Other Dental Health Aids
Tongue
Scrapers
Jue says, “These helpful tools reduce 50% of the bacteria in your
mouth with a few scrapes, and can help keep breath smelling fresh. Since
I started using a tongue scraper daily, it seems I catch fewer cold
and flu bugs.”
Sports Mouth Guards
Dr. Sally says, “I recommend wearing sports mouth guards for all
sports – from skateboarding and soccer to basketball and football. I
even wear one when I ride my bike. We’ve seen just as many
elbows hit teeth and break them as we have from hockey pucks or
swimming pool cement. You can buy an inexpensive ‘boil-and-bite’
style at the sporting goods store, and it will work well. We
can also make a customized sports guard for the ultimate protection. We
love our athletes to smile!”
In-office Products
Dyclonine
Anesthetic Rinse
Laurie says, “I like Dyclonine rinse for patient comfort during
cleanings for those patients with tender gums. Please feel
free to ask us about it.”
CariFree
Tests and Products
Jaime says, “I recommend CariFree testing for all our patients. CariFree
is our Caries Risk testing system which allows our doctors to test
for and treat the bacterial infection before it causes tooth decay. It
is another tool to help you take control of your oral health. Ask
our staff about our CariFree Treatment and Maintenance Rinses. |
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