Sonicare Electric Toothbrush

Price: $50-$200 (depending on model)

Where to purchase: Walmart, Walgreens, Safeway, Rite Aid or online

How to use: Electric brushes provide a gentle but effective cleaning. Place the head of your electric toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line, ensuring the bristles are in contact with both the surface of the teeth and the gum line. Let the brush do the work for you, very slowly gliding along tooth to tooth.

Oral-B Electric Toothbrush

Price: $45-$150 (depending on model)



Where to purchase: Walmart, Walgreens, Safeway, Rite Aid or online



How to use: Electric brushes provide a gentle but effective cleaning. Place the head of your electric toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line, ensuring the bristles are in contact with both the surface of the teeth and the gum line. Let the brush do the work for you, very slowly gliding along tooth to tooth.

Waterpik

Price: $65

Where to purchase: Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Online

How to use: A waterpik can improve gum health, remove plaque and bacteria and can be useful in hard to reach areas. Fill the reservoir with warm water and place firmly on the base. Start with the lowest pressure setting initially, lean over the sink, place tip in your mouth. Ideally, you want to tip the stream of water about 90-degrees into your gums. Trace your gums, pausing for just a second when you get between teeth.

Soft Picks

Price: $5-$10

Where to purchase: Walmart, Walgreens, Safeway, Online

How to use: Soft picks are gentle, easy-to-use, between the teeth cleaners. They help the removal of plaque and food debris from between the teeth and around crown, bridges, implants and orthodontic appliances.

Rubber Tip Stimulator

Price: $4-$10

Where to purchase: Walmart, Walgreens, Safeway, Online

How to use: The GUM Stimulator rubber tip massages the gums and helps to dislodge food particles and dental plaque to clean between the teeth. It helps promote healthy and firm gums by massaging the gingival tissues and stimulating the blood flow. Hold the device at a 45-degree angle toward your gum tissue and gently glide tip around gumline.

End-Tuft Brush

Price: $3-$5

Where to purchase: Walmart, Walgreens, Safeway, Rite Aid or online

How to use: With an extra small head, this brush is designed to reach areas that may be difficult with the traditional toothbrush. It can be useful around orthodontic bands, furcations, crowns, implants, and reaching the last molars. Place brush along gumline, slowly moving with light pressure.

PreviDent Fluoride Toothpaste

Price: $18 per tube

Where to purchase: In office (prescription strength)

How to use: This prescription toothpaste contains 1.1% Sodium Fluoride as opposed to over-the-counter products that typically contain .02%. Apply a thin ribbon of paste to a toothbrush. Brush thoroughly 1-2 times daily for two minutes, preferably at bedtime. After use, spit out. For best results, do not eat, drink, or rinse for 30 minutes.

*Sensitive and Dry Mouth options also available*

ACT Fluoride Rinse

Price: $5-$15 (depending on size)

Where to purchase: Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Safeway, Online

How to use: ACT rinse contains the maximum amount of fluoride available in rinse form without a prescription and is helpful in strengthening tooth enamel and preventing cavities. This rinse is also alcohol-free as to avoid dehydrating the gums and tissue. Use rinse ideally before bed, following brushing and flossing. Swish rinse for 1 minute, then spit out. Do not rinse, eat or drink for 30 minutes following use of rinse.

Biotene Mouth Rinse

Price: $8-$10

Where to purchase: Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Safeway, Online

How to use: If suffering with dry mouth, Biotene products can help manage symptoms. For best results, use rinse for 30 seconds and then spit out. You can use Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse up to 5 times a day depending on your needs. 

Spry Mints

Price: $10

Where to purchase: Walmart or Online

How to use: Spry mints not only freshen breath but also contain xylitol to help inhibit growth of bacteria that cause cavities. Each mint contains .5g of xylitol so therefore is recommended to use 7-10x per day if using for decay prevention. The mints also help stimulate saliva production if suffering with dry mouth. Let mints dissolve as opposed to being chewed.

*Comes in a variety of flavors*

Xylimelts

Price: $8-$15

Where to purchase: Walmart, Walgreens, Online, Rite Aid 

How to use: Xylimelts helps reduce the incidence of cavities and stimulates saliva production to relieve dryness of the mouth. Place tan adhesive side on the outside of a molar and/or adjoining gums and the white side touching the cheek. It is recommended to place 2 pastilles (one on each side) while sleeping. During the day, product can be used 3-7 times per day as needed.