With so many products available and so much hype on what you should use to take the best care of your teeth, many people get confused. Hundred of millions of dollars are spent every single year by companies selling toothpaste, mouthwash, tooth brushes and over-the-counter tooth whitening products that it is impossible to separate the sales pitch from the sound dental advice.
All products, supplies and other unique items listed here are dispensed at the office of Suwanee Dental Care. Patients of Suwanee Dental Care receive a 15% discount on all items as part of our consultation services.
So here is what Dr. Williams of Suwanee Dental Care and his staff have to say about what’s best for your dental health:
1. Toothpaste
The purpose of toothpaste is to polish your teeth to remove plaque and germs that cause tooth decay and bad breath. Despite what you read or see on TV, there is nothing you can buy over the counter to kill the germs that cause dental disease or bad breath.
Toothpaste does not, plaque rinses do not, and even Listerine would have to stay in your mouth at full strength for at least 15 to 20 minutes to kill the germs.
But the right toothpaste can help in another way.
Dental researchers have found and proven, in university studies, that chlorine dioxide can break up the sulfur chemicals produced by bacteria in your mouth that cause mouth odor and contribute to periodontal disease.
Instead of trying to kill the bacteria, which is nearly impossible, use a chlorine dioxide-containing toothpaste to fight the germ products. Dr. Williams says that this is like leaving the criminals with guns, but taking away the bullets.
There are several brands of chlorine dioxide containing toothpastes. The one we dispense here at Suwanee Dental Care is called ClO-SysII. These are generally not available in drug stores, so ask us for a tube when you come in. It is the only toothpaste Dr. Williams uses for himself and his family.
ClO-SysII toothpaste has been proven to break up the disease and odor-producing chemicals in your mouth safely. Try it — it works! ClO-SysII toothpaste is $9 for a long lasting tube. ($7 for patients of Suwanee Dental Care)
2. Mouthwash
Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars on mouthwashes and breath fresheners and most of them really don’t work. They contain alcohol (a carcinogen) and minty flavors that only temporarily cover over the cause of mouth odor.
Unfortunately, after a short time, no one can smell his or her own bad breath so we don’t realize that we could have a problem. The cause of bad breath is almost always sulfur chemicals produced by the bacteria in our mouth and on our tongue.
Mouthwash cannot effectively kill the germs that cause mouth odor and gum disease. Even Listerine would have to stay in your mouth 15-20 minutes at full strength to actually kill the germs. The answer is to destroy the sulfur chemicals.
The very best way that can be done is to use a chlorine dioxide-containing mouthwash that is alcohol free. The one recommended and dispensed at Suwanee Dental Care is ClO-SysII Oral Rinse. It is available in pints and economical gallon-sized dispensers. ClO-SysII Oral Rinse is $22 for a pint. ($18 for a pint for Suwanee Dental Care patients)
3. Tooth Brushes
Many people can be very effective with a regular hand toothbrush as long as it meets the proper criteria. The bristles must be soft nylon so they can bend and shape to the natural contours of the teeth and the ends of the bristles must be rounded.
Just like cleaning eyeglasses, you need to rub hard with a soft device to remove the sticky plaque from your teeth. At Suwanee Dental Care, we dispense only the brushes Dr. Williams and our hygienists use for his own family — Oral B.
Toothbrushes wear out after about 3 to 4 months so pick up an economical 6-pack or 12-pack at Dental Care at reduced prices. Oral B toothbrushes are $2.25 each. A six pack is $12.00 and a 12 pack is $20.00. ($2.00 for one, $10 for a six-pack and $17.00 for a twelve-pack for Suwanee Dental Care patients.)
4. Tongue Cleaners
Most people do not clean their tongue. They do not realize that the tongue, which may feel smooth, has millions of tiny indentations that hold decaying food and bacteria that produce mouth odor and gum disease. At Suwanee Dental Care, we recommend that you use a tongue cleaner daily.
It is a gentle device that works like a windshield wiper to remove bacteria and food deposits from your tongue daily. When you see and smell what comes off your tongue, you’ll be a believer in this 10 second daily routine. Tongue cleaners are $3.00 each or two for $5.00.
5. Electric Tooth Brushes
For people who need the extra help of a power toothbrush, at Suwanee Dental Care, we dispense only the kind that really helps. All electric brushes are not the same.
We only use the one a dentist made by copying the exact shape of the electric device a dental hygienist uses to clean your teeth in a dental office.
The Rotadent brush was invented by a dentist to do what the hygienist does to polish your teeth. It has the same shape handle and even has different tips for adults and people with braces or gum recession.
Ask the Dentist or Hygienist for a demonstration in the office. Available in black or white. The Rotadent brush is available at Suwanee Dental Care along with instructions for proper use.
6. Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Rinse
This prescription mouth rinse helps to control and kill the bacteria in your mouth that cause gum disease. It has exceptional flavor, which encourages patient compliance.
Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% is the leading prescription oral rinse to fight gingivitis. It significantly reduces gingival inflammation and bleeding due to gingivitis. Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Rinse uses a safe, clinically proven formula. It’s sold in a convenient 16-oz. bottle comes with unit dose cup. And it’s also SLS-Free
7. Home Fluoride for Children Under 12
Fluoride works by hardening the enamel to make the enamel of the teeth harder and more resistant to decay that forms on the sides and in-between teeth. Fluoride for kids 12 and under works best taken internally so the fluoride becomes a part of the teeth as they grow.
The best way to get fluoride is to drink water that has been tested to contain 1 part per million of fluoride. For the proper dosage, you need to drink 2 cups of water or reconstituted fruit juice per day. Once a child passes 12 years of age, internal fluoride is of no help because the teeth are all grown.
If you are on city water, call the local Department of Health to verify that your water is fluoridated. All the towns in Fairfield County have fluoridated water. If you are on a well, you must get the water tested by the Department of Health.
Fluoride is the l3th most common element on the earth. Oceans are naturally fluoridated. We know some people are fearful of fluoride as cancer-causing but there are places in the Southwest United States that naturally have water with 5 to 10 times more fluoride than recommended.
As far as we know, the water has been that way for thousands of years and no one has ever reported a higher rate of any kind of disease in those areas. If your well does not have enough fluoride or your family drinks primarily bottled water or whole fruit juice etc., then your children probably need fluoride supplements.
We recommend the kind that looks like a little candy mint which your child dissolves it in his or her mouth so it works both on the teeth and in the developing permanent teeth. Rinsing programs at school are “rinse and spit” so there is no internal benefit for growing teeth.
We recommend either drinking 2 cups of fluoridated water daily or prescription fluoride supplements. Available by prescription at the dentist.
8. Home Fluoride for Adults
Home fluoride for adults is prescription-strength fluoride dispensed by the dentist for daily home use.
It is many times stronger than fluoride toothpastes you can buy over the counter. It works to harden the enamel of children age 14 and up and adults whose teeth have already grown in. In addition to helping prevent decay, it helps to minimize gum-line sensitivity.
People who should use home fluoride are kids 14 and over and adults who have a history of decay, many old fillings, have sensitive teeth, are planning to whiten their teeth or who want to take the extra step to help their mouth be as healthy as it could be.
The product we recommend and dispense at Suwanee Dental Care is prescription strength Prevident, and is available for $18. ($15 for patients of Suwanee Dental Care)
9. Lozi-Flur Home Fluoride for Adults
Lozi-Flur was introduced in April of 1998. It became reality after almost 8 years of work by Dr. Robert E. Reed of Bakersfield, CA. The concept of a low-dose long-duration lozenge delivery grew out of Dr. Reed’s years of frustration over poor patient compliance with other products he had been prescribing.
All home-use fluoride products do an excellent job of preventing decay, but most patients find them time consuming or difficult to use and thus don’t make treatment a daily routine. Lozi-Flur has eliminated the barriers to patient compliance.
Our patients love the taste and convenience, and compliance, as reported by the dental offices prescribing Lozi-Flur, has been excellent. The cost of Lozi-Flur is $22 (Suwanee Dental care patients pay just $18).
10. Suwanee Dental Care Mugs
Enjoy your morning coffee, tea or beverage in a Suwanee Dental Care mug. It will remind you to brush, floss and keep your regular cleaning and check-up appointments. Suwanee Dental Care mugs are available for $7.50 and in sets of 4 for $25. Get an extra one for the office. ($6.00 for 1 and $21.00 for a set of 4 for patients of Suwanee Dental Care)
11. Tooth Whitening
Only your dentist can get your teeth the whitest. And today, people who want to look their best, who want to look sharper and younger know that a white, bright smile says a lot about you even before you say a word.
Tooth whitening can be done at home with custom made bleaching trays and professionally dispensed safe and effective products. At Suwanee Dental Care, we have bleached nearly 200 people’s teeth in the last year, from teenagers to grandparents.
It works, it’s safe, it’s fun and economical. The whole process costs only $199 for top and bottom teeth. If you have already bleached your teeth and need a touch up and have your trays all you need is a refill kit of bleach material.
For people who would rather have us do the bleaching for you instead of doing it at home, laser tooth whitening is also available. Touch-up kits are $52.00. ($45.00 for patients of Suwanee Dental Care)
12. TheraBreath Oxygenating Gum
Unlike other gums, TheraBreath invigorates the mouth and the taste buds, and helps to fight bacteria that causes gum disease and cavities!
TheraBreath is the only gum to refresh both breath and taste with oxygen molecules. It contains ZRx,™ which is encapsulated hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and zinc!
It fights Decay with Xylitol, an artificial sweetener proven to help rebuild enamel. So there’s no sugar or saccharin. It has great natural citrus flavors.
Only $21.95 for 100 potent pieces! ($19.95 for Suwanee Dental Care patients.) Order three for $49.95! Or try our sampler, which is 12 pieces for just $3.00 ($2.00 for Suwanee Dental Care patients).
13. Suwanee Dental Care Bears
Give your favorite kiddo a decked-out Suwanee Dental Care Bear. Only $15.95. Great for birthday gifts, stocking stuffers at Christmas and for everyday surprises. Just $12.95 for Suwanee Dental Care patients.
Guarantee: All products are guaranteed to your satisfaction or your money back if returned within 30 days. Please include original packaging and payment verification printout from your confirmation if you need to return any item. Suwanee Dental Care.
Suwanee Dental Care voted Best of Gwinnett eight years in a row!