Top products from r/DentalHygiene

TOOTHBRUSH

This is the electric toothbrush I use and recommend: Sonicare Flex Care Plus. It is cheapest at Costco but comes in a pack of 2. It's important to replace the brush head every 3-4 months. Sonicare now has a subscription service to automatically send you a new brush head when it's time to replace, or you can buy the brush heads when you need them; they come out to approx $9 each on amazon but you can get 6 for $50 at Costco and they oftentimes have a $10 instant rebate. If you need to use a manual toothbrush, I recommend the Nimbus manual toothbrush. These Wisps are really handy when you can't brush after eating.  

FLOSS

The floss I recommend is Dr. Tung's Smart Floss and you can use this  Floss Holder to make it easier to use. (Amazon only sells the floss in packs of 3 or 6 so if you want to purchase a single pack you can find it at Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, or Sprouts.) A Waterpik can also be a great tool, this one is a Handheld Waterpik and is more convenient to use. You can use it in the shower and it takes up less counter space. 

TOOTHPASTE/MOUTHWASH

This Crest Gum and Sensitivity  paste is one of my favorites and I like Act Total Care mouthwash. When choosing a toothpaste or mouthwash, look for "sodium fluoride" as an active ingredient.  It's best to stay away from mouthwashes with alcohol in them and whitening/charcoal pastes because the abrasives in them can damage the teeth. If you use a whitening rinse with hydrogen peroxide, only use it 2-3 times per week to avoid making the gum tissue sensitive. Other than that, whatever you prefer is just fine.

WHITENING

For an inexpensive whitening treatment Crest White Strips are a good option.

Waterpiks are excellent for cleaning deeper pockets. However, I understand the frustration of the mess. What I found that works great is getting a travel size water pick like this one and using it in the shower instead of the sink, kinda like that new shower tool. Keeping a mirror hung or suctioned to the shower wall can help with controlling the tip to follow along the gum line. There are also floss holders like this that help with dexterity. Electric toothbrushes are a total game changer too. They really help take most of the work out of brushing and have been consistantly proven to be more effective than a manual toothbrush. Tongue scrapers are AMAZING. They reduce the number of bacteria for plaque formation, reduce mouth odors, and show improvements for dry mouth, coated tongue, fissured tongue, or patients who use tobacco. I have found with my own experience that this type works the best for my patients. But you can find what works best for you personally, there are many different types out there. Hopefully this helped!

Speaking as someone with an active gag reflex and tongue that gets coated pretty frequently, it's more uncomfortable for me to brush it and I don't get all the plaque off. I find this GUM Dual-Action Tongue Cleaner - Colors May Vary 1 Each (Pack of 3) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GMP5L9W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_32nKBbYYRK73M
tongue cleaner efficient and more comfortable and recommend it to everyone with similar issues.

Like these?

She wears glasses/contacts. I'll have to investigate. Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Surgical-Loupes-working-distance/dp/B0049K5SQS/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=dental+loupes&qid=1558562305&s=gateway&sr=8-17

https://www.amazon.com/Surgical-Binocular-Loupes-HeadLight-Aluminum/dp/B00HEVYELO/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=dental+loupes&qid=1558562378&s=gateway&sr=8-7

I used to believe that too. Not anymore. In fact, it was recently given the ADA seal of acceptance for being able to prove it's as effective as floss. Also, here is another device with a full-size handle that you can wrap floss around. https://www.amazon.com/Flossaid-Dental-Floss-Holder-Assorted/dp/B00VQTRQ56

Oh I have a portable water flosser that uses a USB charger.

Mines would hold a charge for over a week.

My hygienist has one too and we were talking about how useful it was.

It's way more convenient to use and I even use mine in the shower.

This is the one I have. (However you don't have to get pink)

Portable Water Flosser Oral Irrigator – Vosaro Professional Dental Water Pick Teeth Cleaner With 3 Jet Tips, Cordless Flosser For Braces & Travel- Anti Leakage Design, Pink 200ML

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DJ2K1F4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hNd1CbS1NV4BA

HealthAndYoga(TM) Surgical Grade Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner Scraper | Bacteria Inhibiting, Non-synthetic Grip | Sterilizable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LM43DWK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kdnCCb6HRMB4G

https://www.amazon.com/Plaqsearch-Advanced-Disclosing-Chew-Tablets/dp/B002LG0WD6

do u know if any of these ones would work/ are proven to work?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-EW1211W-Dentacare-Rechargeable-Irrigator/dp/B009GUDVW4/ref=sr_1_15_s_it?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1551043784&sr=1-15&keywords=waterpik&th=1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/morpilot-Reservoir-Waterproof-Rechargeable-Pressure/dp/B076WTH7G4/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1551043784&sr=1-6&keywords=waterpik&th=1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/iTeknic-Professional-Irrigator-Rechargeable-Waterproof/dp/B07H24TDK1/ref=sr_1_11_s_it?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1551043784&sr=1-11&keywords=waterpik&th=1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/VOYOR-Waterpik-Irrigator-Rechargeable-Waterproof/dp/B07DBQ8Z52/ref=sr_1_23_s_it?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1551043784&sr=1-23&keywords=waterpik

I think I'm going to buy this and try doing it myself.

https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Duty-Hygiene-Calculus-Stainless/dp/B01LOM4ISM