Smiles by Justice Dental in Lexington, Kentucky

Toothbrushes

• Brush for 2 minutes, twice daily, with a soft bristled toothbrush. Do not exceed 3 brushings per day.
• Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months to avoid bacterial colonization.
• Studies have shown 8 out of 10 patients using an electric toothbrush have better dental checkups than patients using a manual toothbrush.

Toothpaste

• Colgate Total is the only over-the-counter toothpaste that kills bacteria in the mouth responsible for causing gingivitis.
• Sensodyne Pronamel and Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief are great over-the-counter options for patients who struggle with enamel sensitivity.
• For cavity-prone patients, prescription Prevident fluoride toothpaste and fluoride-free MI Paste are products available through our office.

Floss

• Most dentists recommend flossing at least once a day.
• Woven floss removes up to 52% more plaque than waxed floss. Reach Gum Care is designed to be gentle on gums and has fluoride to help prevent cavities.
• For patients with tight contacts, woven floss can be difficult to use. In this case we recommend Reach Total Care—“it slides like Glide” but removes up to 2x more plaque.

Mouth rinse

Recent research suggests every patient can benefit from the daily use of an oral rinse. Using a mouth rinse helps eliminate bacteria in the mouth responsible for infection of the teeth and gums; however, not all rinses are effective. Many over-the-counter mouth rinses only temporarily freshen breath. Mouth rinse should be used to treat bacteria which are the source of bad breath.