What Products Should I Be Using?
Our dentists and hygienists have personally tested and vetted these products. These are the tools we trust, and use ourselves, to keep our patients healthy between visits.
Gum Care
Healthy gums start at home. These are the products our team trusts and uses ourselves.
Floss Alternatives
If you floss and it is working for you, great! For the rest of us, there are alternatives. For most patients, that means an oral irrigator like the Waterpik.
Waterpik
When we started recommending these to our patients, the collective health of our patients went up dramatically. They work. It's what most of us here use.
Hydrofloss
This oral irrigator is great for people who build up tartar quickly. It has a magnet inside that works like magic.
Tepe Interdental Brushes
These little brushes are used in between your teeth instead of flossing or waterpiking. They're convenient and effective. Have one of our dental hygienists help you pick the right size.
Toothbrushes
Unless you can vibrate your hand at 40,000 oscillations per minute, you will do better with an electric toothbrush. You can find cheaper models, but in general, the more you spend, the more effective they are.
Oral-B
Small head design, good power, and the built-in "you're pushing too hard" detector is wonderful.
Sonicare
This has a bit of a different action than the Oral-B, with more sonic vibration. If you are ticklish, watch out!
Mouthwash
Mouthwash kills bacteria that cause bad breath, tooth loss, and overall health issues. It doesn't matter if they're hiding on your tongue and cheeks; mouthwash will find them.
Closys
You'll notice the fresher breath, for sure. But what makes us even happier is that it is one of only a few mouthwashes that really does what it is supposed to do: fight off harmful bacteria.
TheraBreath
A bacteria-fighting formula that includes essential oils, making this a great choice for reducing inflammation.
Toothpaste
We generally don't recommend "tartar control" toothpastes. Too many harsh chemicals make us uncomfortable. We prefer these.
Closys
If you are prone to canker sores, this toothpaste will really help. And yes, it takes gum disease seriously. That's Closys.
Sensodyne Pronamel
Formulated to counteract sensitivity caused by acidic foods and drinks that many people enjoy.
Carifree
The best cavity-fighting toothpaste we have ever used. Just say no to dental decay.
Miscellaneous
Some other products that you might find helpful.
Tongue Scraper
Bacteria love to hide on the back and sides of your tongue. Not any longer with a tongue scraper.
Nasal Care for Nasal Breathing
Mouth breathing bypasses your body's natural air filter and dries out your gums. Nasal care products help you breathe the way nature intended, which is better for your teeth, gums, and overall health.
Better Cavity Prevention
Cavities are largely preventable. These products help tip the balance toward remineralization and away from decay.
Xylitol Products
Xylitol is a natural sweetener that cavity-causing bacteria cannot metabolize. Using xylitol products throughout the day, whether gum, mints, or rinses, starves the bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
Xylitol Gum
Chewing xylitol gum after meals stimulates saliva flow and delivers xylitol directly where it is needed.
Xylitol Mints
A convenient way to get your xylitol dose when gum is not an option.
Xylitol Rinse
Adds an extra dose of xylitol and helps rinse food debris at the same time.
Other Anti-Cavity Products
Beyond xylitol, these products work to remineralize and strengthen your enamel.
Carifree CTx4 Gel
A high-fluoride, xylitol-infused gel that supports remineralization for cavity-prone patients.
MI Paste
Contains Recaldent (CPP-ACP), a milk-derived protein that delivers calcium and phosphate directly to your enamel.
Dry Mouth Help
Saliva is your mouth's first line of defense against cavities and gum disease. If you suffer from dry mouth, whether due to medications, mouth breathing, or other causes, these products can help.
Dry Mouth Relief
Dry mouth significantly increases your cavity and gum disease risk. The right products can restore moisture and provide a protective barrier.
Biotene Moisturizing Mouth Spray
A fast-acting spray for immediate dry mouth relief. Convenient enough to keep in a pocket or purse.
Biotene Oral Rinse
Formulated specifically for dry mouth sufferers. Alcohol-free so it does not make dryness worse.
ACT Dry Mouth Lozenges with Xylitol
Stimulates saliva flow while delivering xylitol and fluoride, a triple benefit for dry mouth patients.
XyliMelts
Slow-release discs that stick to your gums and deliver xylitol and oral lubricant throughout the night, great for patients who wake up with a dry mouth.
Books We Love
The dentists and hygienists at Camarillo Smiles are lifelong learners. These books changed the way we think about oral health and whole-body wellness.
Recommended Reading
Understanding the connection between your mouth and your overall health is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself.
Breath by James Nestor
A fascinating, well-researched exploration of how the way we breathe affects our teeth, face, sleep, and overall health. Required reading for anyone who mouth breathes.
It's All in Your Mouth by Dr. Dominik Nischwitz
A biological dentist lays out the connection between oral health and the rest of the body. Eye-opening for patients who want to understand the oral-systemic link.
Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye by Dr. Ellie Phillips
A systematic approach to eliminating cavities at home. Practical, evidence-based, and actionable.
Product recommendations are based on the clinical experience and personal use of our dental team. We do not receive compensation for these recommendations. Always ask your dentist or hygienist which products are best suited to your individual needs.
Not sure which products are right for you?
Ask at your next appointment. Our hygienists love talking about this stuff.