Home
What Hygienists Do
Stages Of Gum Disease
Healthier Smile, Healthier You
Cavity Prevention & Decay
Product Recommendations
Home
What Hygienists Do
Stages Of Gum Disease
Healthier Smile, Healthier You
Cavity Prevention & Decay
Product Recommendations
To reverse gingivitis or keep periodontitis stable, I recommend brushing twice daily using an electric toothbrush for 2 minutes each, using a water flosser along the gumline once daily, flossing daily using string floss, and rinsing using an antiseptic mouth rinse daily. In severe cases, a stronger mouth rinse may be recommended.
If you suffer from frequent dry mouth, you are more prone to developing cavities and gum disease. To prevent issues from arising, I recommend Biotene products as needed for daytime use and Xylimelt tablets for use while sleeping. Keeping water nearby for frequent sipping also is advised
If you suffer from frequent bad breath, it could be due to several factors. Poor oral hygiene, digestive issues, overgrowth of bacteria on the tongue, gum disease, and cavities can be causing malodor in your mouth. If your dental team has ruled out gum disease and decay, making small tweaks to your oral hygiene may help. A large amount of bacteria in your mouth hide in the small projections on the tongue’s surface. To address these stubborn areas, I recommend using a tongue scraper and/or brushing the tongue daily. Mouth rinses like Therabreath or an antiseptic Listerine can also help reduce the overall bad breath germs in the mouth.
The most common complaint I hear from patients as a dental hygienist is wanting a brighter smile. One thing I did not know before becoming a hygienist was how to properly use whitening products to achieve noticeable results. To achieve a brightening effect, it is recommended to whiten 7-10 times in 7-10 days. If hypersensitivity develops, it is okay to skip a day in between, but 7-10 applications are recommended to see a significant difference in tooth shade. Personally, I recommend Opalescence products due to the higher concentration of the active ingredients hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen carbomide than drugstore brands. Ultimately, higher-end whitening products and drug-store brands contain the same active ingredients, just at different levels of concentration. Higher concentrations provide quicker results. Drug-store brands, like Crest 3D White strips, are still very effective and provide great results at a more budget-friendly price, however it may take longer to see the same results. *I do not personally recommend whitening toothpastes or mouthwash. Whitening toothpastes are highly abrasive and can damage tooth enamel and I have never personally seen results from whitening mouth wash.*
If you are someone prone to getting cavities, I recommend brushing twice daily using an electric toothbrush for 2 minutes each, flossing daily using
string floss, and using an antiseptic mouth rinse daily. Your dental team may also recommend a preventative prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste to
help strengthen and protect the teeth from additional decay. It would be most beneficial to speak with a dental professional to help determine how your
diet or lifestyle habits may be impacting your teeth.
Disclaimer: All product recommendations are made based on personal experience or seeing positive clinical results on patients I have treated. The links provided are the cheapest available version of each item in my area. I recommend doing research on available pricing in your area to ensure you’re getting the best value!
