Frequently Asked Questions:
We are in the unique position of working with customers on a daily basis
who present us with a variety of questions. Unlike sites that often repeat
similar questions, our questions are ones that customers have posed to
us, and are a representation of what's on people's minds. These questions
should be used as a reference in your quest to find products suitable to
your needs, abilities, preferences and lifestyle.
We also invite you our reader and customer, to call our store during the retail hours of 10:00-6:00 EST to speak directly with either a dental hygienist or trained professional staff to answer your personalized product questions.
Click the links below to jump to the question you are most interested in:
Q: At what age should I begin brushing my children's teeth?
A: When infants are born, bacteria begin to enter their mouths. Although this bacteria is normal, it can become harmful if left without disruption in some way; ie. moistened washcloth, gauze square, finger brush (Infadent) etc. These ways can provide a gum tissue massage which can be healthful and very comforting, especially prior to the eruption of the primary teeth.
PRODUCTS: Infadent Baby Soft Toothbrush and Gum Massager
Q: Can I use toothpaste when my child develops their first teeth?
A: It is not necessary to use toothpaste when brushing
your child's first teeth, however many people want to because the flavoring
may help make brushing more fun or even tolerable. When choosing toothpaste,
things to consider are if your infant/toddler is already receiving a prescribed
fluoride supplement, or drinking fluoridated water. They may already be
receiving the recommended dosage of fluoride and should resist swallowing
toothpastes that contain even more. This is only a concern during the "toothpaste
swallowing" age, and there are toothpastes specifically available without
preservatives, artificial flavorings and/or fluorides. PRODUCTS: First Teeth
Baby Toothpaste, Tom's of Maine Fluoride-Free Strawberry and Goofy Grape
Liquid Toothpaste, Gerber Tooth & Gum Cleanser
Q: I have to battle with my child to brush their teeth. What can I do?
A: A little detective work to narrow down the reason why!
Some children may need motivational assistance whereas others may actually
dislike the taste/texture of their toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. If you have
a child that needs to be coaxed and reminded to brush, you may find that
books about teeth, sticker rewards, a snazzy toothbrush, a timer or automated
toothbrush that makes brushing fun, etc., are ways to encourage better hygiene
habits. If your child dislikes the toothpastes you are purchasing, you are
not alone! Some children have sensitivities to mint toothpastes, or even
dislike the sweet bubble gum flavored toothpastes. Trial and error in these
circumstances is what's advised so that your child will come to enjoy toothbrushing
once again. PRODUCTS: Teeth related books, The Twooth Timer, Dr. Twinkle
toothbrush, Braun Oral -B battery powered brushes, Tom's of Maine Silly
Strawberry, Outrageous Orange and Goofy Grape toothpaste, Oxyfresh Toothpaste
for Children
Q: My child has bad breath even though we brush and floss. Are there any products that can help?
A: This is more common than we thought, and we suggest
that you present this question to your dentist/hygienist/pediatrician as
well. Parents are often purchasing strong breath mints, strips and mouth
rinses for their children but should be cautious due to the potential sugar
and alcohol content and the frequency of use. We encourage good brushing
and flossing habits, and the introduction of tongue cleaning, in case this
is their source for the halitosis. Sometimes children who have fixed or
removable orthodontic devices may find this to be a contributing source,
and can be instructed in hygiene procedures for their appliances as well.
Medical/dental conditions, mouth breathing and dry mouth conditions can
also be contributing factors. PRODUCTS: Dr. Weider's Tongue brush, Oxyfresh
Toothpaste for Children, Oxyfresh Mouthrinse with Fluoride (alcohol free
and safe for the entire family), Den-Tek Retainer brush, Ortho Clean Appliance
Cleaner
Q: My teenager just had her braces removed and wants to whiten her teeth. What products are recommended for her age?
A: Some whitening products have a recommended age of 12,
others up to 16. We suggest you ask their dentist/hygienist for their professional opinion on product preferences,
as well as discuss with your daughter which whitening technique they are most likely to be consistent with. In order
to achieve the best results, a whitener should fit their lifestyle and application ability, and learning about the
products prior to their purchase, will aid in their success.
Q: There are so many whitening products on the market today. How do I know which one to choose?
A: Many people are choosing to use OTC whitening products
these days because there is a variety to choose from and it is less expensive
than professional in-office whitening. Prior to making decisions though,
there are some things that should be considered. - Ask your dentist or hygienist
if you are a whitening candidate. Often times, people who have existing
crowns, bondings and fillings need to consider that if they whiten their
natural teeth, the cosmetically altered ones may not "match" in
color. In fact, the color discrepancy may become more noticeable. Also,
any intrinsic staining (inside the tooth) that is caused by antibiotic use
at an early age, may not predictably respond to the whitening process. -
People who whiten should know that tooth sensitivity may develop while doing
so, whether it be done professionally or OTC. It is usually temporary in
nature but can be uncomfortable for some during the process. Most whiteners
will advise the consumer to lessen either the contact time against the tooth,
or the number of applications per day. It may take longer to achieve your
whitening results, but you will be more comfortable doing so. - Consider
application methods next. There are trays, strips and applicators. Some
recommend twice a day applications, others once a day or at bedtime. It
is important to choose which method may be best for you based upon your
time availability, habits and preferences. Many people start off with what
may be a very effective whitener, but if they aren't consistent about using
it, may not have get the results they expected. Choose what sounds easy
for you to apply and fits into your daily schedule.
Q. I am always bothered by canker sores. Is there something I can do about them?
A: We are aware of studies that show a correlation between SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) in toothpastes and mouth rinses and the outbreak of canker sores, so we have put together a group of products from which our customers can choose that are SLS free. Although our customers do not necessarily report that the sores no longer occur, they do claim that they help reduce the number of occurrences per year. That in itself is reason to make a product switch!
PRODUCTS: Rembrandt for Canker Sore Sufferers, Biotene, Supersmile, Oral Defense, Jason, Blanx Natural, Squigle
Q: I have been told by my dentist that I am grinding
my teeth and may need a nightguard. Iām can't afford hundreds of dollars
right now. Are there any options?
A: Yes! We receive many referrals from dental offices asking
us to show their patients the options for over-the-counter nightguards.
We offer four different brands, two of which offer a 30 day money back guarantee
if the customer is dissatisfied for any reason. These allow customers the
opportunity to try a less expensive product to determine if it can be tolerated
well. Some are formable, others are adjustable, and all but one is priced
at $25 or less! PRODUCTS: SleepRight, The Doctor's Nightguard, The Clencher
& Sleepgard
Q: I work closely with people all day long and worry about bad breath. What products offer the longest protection?
A: Oral malodor is a concern for many individuals and leading OTC products tend to provide short term relief of halitosis. The products we carry are sold in dental offices throughout the United States due to their long term effectiveness for breath enhancement and antibacterial properties. Combined with tongue scraping techniques, our customers have found these products to be valuable in their daily routine.
PRODUCTS: BreathRx, Oxyfresh with Zinc, TriOral
Q: I have undergone radiation therapy in the head/neck area and always have a dry mouth. Do you have any products which can offer relief?
A: We have many products from which our customers can choose
that have no sugar, alcohol, stinging and/or further drying effects. Determining
which you prefer or work the best may be challenging, but hopefully worth
the effort. PRODUCTS: Entire Biotene line, including Oral Balance Gel, Salivart,
Moi-Stir, Tom's of Maine Anti-cavity & Dry Mouth Toothpaste, Dr. Tung's
Gum Rejuv, Oxyfresh Power Rinse, TheraGum plus xylitol and calcium, Breathtech
Spray with fluoride and microdent, Supersoft toothbrushes
Q: I can't floss! Help!
A: There are many reasons why people do not floss, and
it's time to talk about options for those who don't! We are helping people
find alternatives that will assist in the health of their gum tissues, such
as introducing toothpicks, pointed brushes, proxibrushes, rubber tip stimulators,
powered brushes & flossers, and oral irrigators. Itās up to you to decide
which fits into your lifestyle, budget, abilities and preferences! Talk
to your dentist & hygienist and ask if they have any product samples for
you to try. At the Tooth Pix Store, we offer product samples whenever available,
and sell trial sizes for our customer's testing convenience. There are so
many new and exciting products out there to discover- put it off no longer!
PRODUCTS: Stimudents, Australian Chewing Sticks, Butler Go-Betweens & Rubber
Tip Stimulator, Braun Oral B Powered Toothbrushes with the Interspace attachment,
Waterpik Flosser & Irrigators.
Q: I am trying to quit chewing tobacco because of the threat of oral cancer. Any suggestions?
A: We are happy to report that we have products that can help. We discovered Oregon Mint Snuff and Pouches, both made from mint leaves. Since supplying these, we cannot keep them here long enough! Another favorite for smoking/chewing cessation, is the Australian Tea Tree Oil Chewing Sticks. They are flavored with mint and fennel, and offer an aromatic substitute without the worries of sugar, calories, and potential for cavities, etc. They now come in a spicy cinnamon too!
Q: I was told the powered toothbrushes are terrific and that I should get one. How do I know which one to buy?
A: Usually your dentist/hygienist will recommend a toothbrush
that they prefer and has delivered good clinical results. Some offices will
even sell more than one brand, knowing that it is usually what the patient
prefers to brush with that will give the best results. We suggest that you
compare different brands and models, asking the questions that are important
to you such as usage with other family members, charging times, attachments
& speed options, availability of travel cases, etc. You might also consider
beginning with a battery operated brush to get the feel for it and make
sure it is an investment you'd like to make. PRODUCTS: Braun Battery & Powered
Brushes, Sonicare Advance & Elite, Interplak
Q: Have your own personal question for us?
A: Please contact us and we'd be happy to try to answer
it!
