Dr. Ellen’s favorite things!

Dr. Ellen’s favorite things!

Oprah used to do it, so here is Longboard Dental’s Favorite Things! I often get asked for recommendations for my favorite dental products! So just in time for the holidays, here are a few of myfavorite things.  We will be doing a series of blog posts with different items that all help improve your oral health:3

Toothbrushes:

FIRST PLACE: Philips Sonicare:  https://amzn.to/3Mx3lok

Often patients hear me saying, “Would you rather drive a lemon or a Lamborghini?” Same goes for your toothbrush! The days of the manual toothbrush have come and gone and we can’t help but recommend EVERYONE go electric.  It simply cleans your teeth better!  Philips Sonicare tends to be my favorite but whichever brand you go for look for thefollowing:

1.      RECHARGEABLE!  Who wants to waste time and money on batteries?  Look for one for an easily adaptable USB port!  Some Sonicares even have a rechargeable travel case—perfect when you’re on the go!

2.      SENSITIVE SETTING!  Let the brush do the work!  Look for a brush that shakes when you’re pressing too hard and a sensitive setting for a lighter touch.  You don’t want to do damage to your gums by brushing too hard!

3.      TIMING!  Most brushes now have a setting that vibrate in thirty second increments, telling you to move on to the next section of your mouth, this is great so nothing is missed!

RUNNER UP Oral B: https://amzn.to/3G28PUm

This brush is where its at!  This brush legitimately lets you feel like you are leaving the dental office every time you brush!  I haven’t always been the biggest fan of OralB for its clunky design and loud operation, but this is a huge improvement!  Some patients prefer the rotational movement of the Oral-B brush and I specifically like the circular design of the brush head for patients with orthodontic braces.  I find that the round, smaller surface can fully encircle the orthodontic bracket, resulting in getting more plaque and food debris away from the tooth surface.   Only down side is the cost of this one, but if you’re into tech and feeling like you’re having a professional dental cleaning every day, this is where it’s at! Well worth the investment!

Dental Floss:

FIRST PLACE:  Cocofloss:  https://amzn.to/3FOlSsw

Dental floss made by dentists!  Not only does Cocofloss have fun flavors, but its design will grab any left over food, plaque and debris left behind by regular floss.  For patients with spacing or “trouble spots” where food always gets stuck, this is your floss!

RUNNER UP:  Glide FlossPicks https://amzn.to/3MzKx7S

This is my go-to floss on the go!  Glide Floss is smooth and easy to get into tight spaces.  I prefer this floss for my kiddos’ teeth as it tends to be a better experience vs. some of the tougher to floss children’s dental picks.  I even keep a bag in my car console for on the go!

Children’s toothpaste:

First Place:  Color changing toothpaste:  https://amzn.to/473uqrz

This toothpaste is a game changer for kids who need some motivation to brush!  The paste starts blue and turns pink when they have fully brushed for two minutes!  My children love this and love to compete with each other who can get to pink first!

Runner up: Risewell Cake Batter Toothpaste:  https://amzn.to/3u5DLk6

I have a lot of patients concerned about Fluoride exposure and what are alternative options to our traditional toothpastes.  We love Risewell products—"RiseWell natural toothpaste for kids is packed with our signature ingredient, hydroxyapatite, which is a naturally-occurring mineral that strengthens teeth. Daily usage will leave your kid's teeth visibly whiter,healthier, and stronger as their smiles grow and mature. And the best part? It's safe enough to eat—even if your kids (or you, wink wink) eat the whole delicious tube!”  Say no more 😊

Clear Aligner Tools:

First Place:  The Pul Tool: Bite me  https://amzn.to/3QPuKEz

The Pul Tool Bite Me is by far my favorite product recommended for my clear aligner patients!  It is a simple device used to help pull out your aligners as well as help seat them. This is so helpful for patients with manicures they don’t want to ruin or for tighter trays that are more difficult to pull out in some treatment stages.  The clever design also has abiting surface that

RUNNER UP:  RetainerBrite https://amzn.to/3uetRg6

Retainer brite is an excellent product to be used on clear aligners to remove grime and stain from your clear aligners. A quick 15 minute soak is all that’s needed and it’s even safe to use on athletic mouth guards!

HONORABLE MENTION:  Movemints:https://amzn.to/3up0lnF

Created by Dr. Ellen’s colleague from highschool (and now orthodontist) this is the only mint I recommended to be used with Clear Aligner Therapy!  They are sugar free and have xylitol, which has been proven effective in cavity prevention!  Keep your breath fresh while going through Invisalign!

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At-home whitening:

FIRST PLACE:  GloWhitening vials https://amzn.to/49FONwO

Love our in office Glo Bleaching session? Try Glo at home!  The key to any bleaching product is how to maintain your results at home after an in-office session.  Though these vials are not as concentrated as our in-office vials, these are a great on the go substitute and are compatible with the bundle kit light we offer in the office.  Glo is an amazing whitening gel designed for patients with sensitivity and is manufactured with more natural active ingredients than a lot of competitors.  

RUNNER UP: Crest Whitening Emulsions https://amzn.to/3QXMGNo

Another great at home option that’s aneasy, daily option!  This product requires no tray, no light, and can be applied to the teeth right after brushing.  My favorite time to use this is after my morning coffee while I’m getting ready—simply brush your teeth and painton.  The emulsion dissolves over time!  This is also one of the only whitening products recommended for teenagers! Sensitivity is minimal so many patients can use daily to go brighter!

Other Dental Accessories:

FIRST PLACE:  Cordless WaterFlosser https://amzn.to/3SIGDxs

This is a must have for any teens or adults with braces, bridges or implants!  Eventhe best electric toothbrush can’t flush out larger spaces under some types of dental work.  For teens with braces, awater flosser is your answer

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RUNNER UP:  Ultrasoniccleaner for dentures and clear aligners https://amzn.to/49nXIBC

This + retainerbrite is the way to go!  Keep those clear aligners, nightguards and mouthguards free of plaque and calcified residue that turns these appliances brown over time!  You put it in your mouth, after all!