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. Simon 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 Dental Care is called Oxygene. These are generally not available in drug stores, so ask us for a tube when you come in. It is the only toothpaste Dr. Simon uses for himself and his family. 

Oxygene toothpaste has been proven to break up the disease and odor-producing chemicals in your mouth safely. Try it - it works! Oxygene toothpaste is $12 for a long lasting tube. ($10 for patients of 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 Dental Care is Oxygene. It is available in pints and economical gallon-sized dispensers. Oxygene mouthwash is $12 for a pint and $62 for a gallon. ($10 for a pint and $52 for a gallon for 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 Dental Care, we dispense only the brushes Dr. Simon uses for his own family - Oral B. Toothbrushes wear out after about 2 to 3 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 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 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

Sonicare Elite Series 7300 features Superior cleaning technology with Ultra-High Speed Bristles. Next generation patented sonic technology. Clinically proven to significantly reduce coffee, tea and tobacco stains. Improves gum health by reversing gingivitis and helping shrink periodontal pockets. Whiter teeth and healthier gums in just 28 days Guaranteed! Dual color recharge indicator. 2 minute Smartimer. Quadpacer 30 second interval timer. Ergonomic tapered handle. Includes deluxe travel case.

6. Home Irrigation

Flushing out the plaque and bacteria from under the gum line, between the teeth and around fixed bridge work or dental implants is very important. We do it in the once at every hygiene visit. Some people should do it at home on a daily basis, especially people who are prone to gum disease, adults or children with braces or fixed bridge work, people who do not use dental floss every day and people who want to be sure they are going the extra mile to maintain fresh breath and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Home Irrigation is done by using a device that sprays water at the teeth, between the teeth and under the gum line. It works best when the irrigator places a static electricity charge on the water molecules. This process, called magneto-hydro dynamics can reduce plaque 80% more effectively than water spray alone. The device we dispense at Dental Care is the Hydrofloss, manufactured for, and available only through, dentists. The Hydrofloss comes with four tips so it can be shared by the entire family and it sells for $135. ($115 for patients of Dental Care)

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 Dental Care is prescription strength Prevident, and is available for $18. ($15 for patients of Dental Care)

9. Dental Care Newsletter

The Dental Care of Stamford quarterly newsletter is the best way to stay up to date on what's new in dentistry. Some of the articles that have appeared in past newsletters are on our web site under Dentistry In The News. Annual subscription is $20.00. (Free annual subscription for Dental Care patients)

10. Dental Care Mugs

Enjoy your morning coffee, tea or beverage in a Dental Care mug. It will remind you to brush, floss and keep your regular cleaning and check-up appointments. 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 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 Dental Care, we have bleached nearly 1000 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 $450 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 Dental Care)

Super Floss

To clean under dental bridgework or braces. Each strand is a fluffy yarn-like material with a nylon end to thread under bridgework or braces

Dental Floss Holder

For people who need a little help with flossing. These holders make it easy to get in between teeth, especially in the back of the mouth. Great for kids, adults with dexterity problems or arthritis or and injuries.

Proxibrush

This little brush is great to get in between teeth or bridgework or braces. The handle is a strong plastic and the little brushes are reusable and easily replaced.

End-Tufted Brush

A specialty brush for hard to reach areas of the mouth.

Specialty Dental Floss

Besides the standard dental floss, you can also try mint-flavored floss, ultra thin floss, and Glide dental floss -- a special coated floss tape to make flossing between tight spots easier.

Floss Threaders

Helps you floss under bridgework or braces. These nylon floss threaders work like needle threaders to guide floss into hard-to-get-to places.