DrBunn.com - Homecare Recommendations

DrBunn.com Steven T Bunn, DDS promoting dentistry with caring, comfort and quality

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Homecare Recommendations

"Every tooth in a man's head is more valuable than a diamond."
- Miguel de Cervantes

TOOTHBRUSH

REGULAR soft, smaller is better, angled helps. My favorite is an Oral-B toothbrush.
ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH, Sonicare or Braun Oral-B.
DENTURE BRUSH, for retainers, bite guards, dentures.

TOOTHPASTE

(more about toothpaste, click here)

DRY BRUSHING, brush until your teeth feel smooth (soft), not by time, click here.

bathroom brushing
to get food off your teeth
dry brushing
to get plaque off your teeth

PEROXICARE® TARTAR CONTROL (Arm & Hammer), 51% baking soda, 0.75% peroxide; or ADVANCE WHITE TARTAR CONTROL (Arm & Hammer)

TARTAR CONTROL
	*It works! Tartar control is a crystallization inhibitor, not* an abrasive.**

DESENSITIZING, 5% potassium nitrate: Sensodyne® Full Protection or Sensodyne® Tartar Control with Whitening.

*Sensodyne now has the only two* desensitizing toothpastes with tartar control.**
*Plaque on root surfaces almost always* makes teeth more sensitive.**

BIOTENE for dry mouth. Also for canker sores, it has no SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate).

BETWEEN TEETH

FLOSS, waxed is easy, but even easier is Glide™; disposable floss toothpicks (Wild Flossers) can be very helpful. professional flossing: floss on middle fingers
WILD FLOSSERS, for kids. These are GREAT for adults and children, click here.
GLIDE THREADER, floss threaders for under bridges, splints, and/or braces.
INTERDENTAL BRUSH (Oral-B) or PROXABRUSH® (Butler), save your handle – replace the brushes. The Oral-B handle is much easier to use. Butler and Oral-B make travel versions. Use this from both the cheek side and tongue side.
OTHER, floss holders, toothpicks, Oral-B Interclean®, Stimudents®, Perio-Aid®, rubber tip, etc.

TARTAR REMOVAL

PIN (straight pin or safety pin) If you can see stain, you can remove it, scratch it off.

RINSE

SALT WATER, more effective than mouthwash any day. A saturated solution (4 teaspoons / pint of water or 1 teaspoon in 4 ounces of water) swished between teeth for at least a minute. More effective because: much more comfortable and tolerable, antibacterial, no alcohol, easily available, cheaper.

THERASOL, antibacterial (ethoxylated tertiary amine and capryl/capramidopropylbetaine)*. more information >>
special order,

click here

I specifically recommend against PerioGard, Peridex, chlorhexidine gluconate. Although these products are antibacterial, the side effects of increased tartar and stain are too great, AND there is an equally effective solution: TheraSol.

PEROXYL, diluted, flavored hydrogen peroxide (1.5%).

IRRIGATION

Waterpik® (model WP-60W) With baking soda, two teaspoons per full reservoir at the highest pressure setting that is comfortable, click here. Wall mounting bracket available (1.800.525.2020). [220 volt model, WP-60E].

ETC.

NICOTINE REDUCTION (patch / gum / lozenge / Rx tablet - inhaler) an aid to overcome the physical dependence of tobacco.
DENAVIR, prescription required, for cold sores.
FLUORIDE SUPPLEMENTS, prescription required, for children up through age 16.
VITAMIN/MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS: Centrum®, Maximum® (One-A-Day), Choice® (Giant), One Tablet Daily plus Minerals (Safeway), Spectravite® (CVS). You can check the effectiveness/requirement by your fingernails.
Sea-Bond Denture Brightening Gel Cleanser (formerly Ban-A-Stain), for retainers, bite guards, dentures. [available on Drugstore.com, click here]

SOAK, for dentures, biteguards, retainers:
plain, undiluted, white vinegar.

STRESS REDUCTION: physical exercise, meditation, biofeedback, medication, nutrition.
BRUSH / SCRAPE YOUR TONGUE, stain is from bacteria that "pick-up" dark pigments from your diet. Tongue scrapers can also help prevent halitosis.
DECAFFEINATED coffee, soda, tea.
DISCLOSING SOLUTION to show where plaque remains on teeth, click here.
ORABASE Soothe-N-Seal for mouth/canker sores.
KANKA®, ORAJEL® for irritations from braces, retainers or dentures.

REFERRAL(S)

DENTAL SPECIALISTS: orthodontist (braces), periodontist (gums), endodontist (root canal), oral surgeon, click here.

PREMEDICATION

ONLY ONE DOSE! Do you require a new prescription (let us know)? The current American Heart Association recommends using Amoxicillin, or Clindamycin (for individuals with an allergy to penicillin). No longer Erythromycin.

SPECIAL NOTES

SMINT mints contain xylitol, and do not cause decay.
Xylimax gum (available only online / by phone) contains xylitol, and does not cause decay.

Sorbitol and mannitol are the primary sweeteners in most sugarless gums, and although they reduce decay compared to sucrose (commonly referred to as 'sugar'), xylitol does not cause decay.

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Disclaimer:
The materials on my web site are not intended as a substitute for professional dental / medical advice, and accordingly you should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. I may change or update information contained on this web site without notice to represent recent developments in health care.

It is important to understand the risks of communicating with you electronically since information will be transmitted over the public Internet, such as a third-party intercepting a message, or the message not getting through. Responses are intended to be timely; however, Dr. Steve Bunn is not liable for the lack of response or delayed responses.

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