Oral Hygiene Products
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A Guide to Oral Hygiene Products Speech-Language Therapy Services Tauranga Hospital Ph 07 579 8785 Oral Hygiene Products It is extremely important to maintain good oral hygiene, particularly if brushing teeth is difficult, you are at risk of aspiration (food/drink going down ‘the wrong way’ into your airway), or you have xerostomia (dry mouth). Oral health effects overall health and it is important to maintain a clean mouth and teeth (no matter how many or few teeth you have!) Please discuss your oral hygiene routine, and which products are most suitable for you, with your speech- language therapist. Ordering information: Some of these products are available from pharmacies. Others need to be purchased from medical suppliers. The following information will assist you with ordering from these suppliers. Please note prices listed are approximate, based on 2011 prices, and will vary between different suppliers and pharmacies. Capes Medical Supplies A family-owned and operated local business based at Mt Maunganui. They mostly sell to clinics and hospitals, but are also happy to sell to individuals. There is no minimum order. How to order: Visit their premises at 18 Tukorako Drive, Mt Maunganui. Place an order by phone: (07) 575 9777 (postage will be charged). Place an order by email: [email protected] (postage will be charged). USL Medical (Universal Specialties Ltd) A New Zealand owned, Auckland-based company which generally sells to hospitals and clinics. They will also take orders from individuals, although there is a minimum order of $75. This may be made up of a range of different products, or you could order in bulk so you have ongoing supplies. There will also be a charge for postage. How to order: Place an order by phone: (09) 829 0960. Place an order through the website: www.uslmedical.co.nz. Ask your local pharmacy to place an order for you for products from USL Medical – the price will be approximately the same as if you order directly from the company and the $75 minimum order will still apply. The company are very happy for you to contact them if you have problems with this system. Websites: ‘Toothshop’ and ‘Great Smile’ www.toothshop.co.nz www.greatsmile.co.nz Some of the products can be ordered online through these websites. There will be a charge for postage. How to order: Visit the website. Search for the product you wish to buy. Place an order and pay online by credit card. The products will be delivered to your home. Mouthwashes Use a mouthwash in addition to brushing teeth twice daily (AM /PM) to maintain a healthy mouth free of harmful bacteria. Use mouthwash if: you have a dry mouth; you are prone to developing mouth ulcers, sores, inflammation or oral thrush; or you have difficulties with swallowing. If you are at risk of aspiration (food/fluid going down the wrong way), use a foam mouth swab to apply the mouthwash to your tongue and inside of your mouth, rather than gargling. Approximate Product Benefits Precautions Where can I get it? cost Refreshes and cleans Not recommended to USL Medical. 44ml: $6.30 (USL (debrides) sore mouths without use for more than 7 order code: 90011) drying. days unless ($75 minimum order Contains 1.5% hydrogen instructed to do so by applies). peroxide, which has a health professional. antimicrobial and debriding Avoid swallowing. (cleaning) properties. May give a mild Use with a sodium bicarbonate “fizzing” sensation Sage Perox-A-Mint treated mouth swab if unable to due to its “bubbling” Solution gargle. cleaning action. Useful for thinning thickened, sticky saliva. Safe for use on tender oral tissues. Alcohol free. Approximate Product Benefits Precautions Where can I get it? cost Antibacterial mouthwash Contains alcohol Toothshop website Approx. $16 (236ml) Contains 1.5% hydrogen (6%) so may have a (www.toothshop.co. peroxide, which has drying effect on the nz) antimicrobial and debriding mouth. (cleaning) properties. Not recommended to Useful for thinning thickened, use for more than 7 sticky saliva. days unless Facilitates healing of minor instructed to do so by mouth and gum irritations. a health professional. Colgate Peroxyl Use with a sodium bicarbonate Avoid swallowing. Oral Cleanser treated mouth swab if unable to May give a mild gargle. “fizzing” sensation due to its “bubbling” cleaning action. Antibacterial mouth and throat Not recommended Stocked by many $9 - $14 rinse. for prolonged use pharmacies and (250ml and 300ml Contains chlorhexidine, which without consultation supermarkets. sizes available) can help swollen gums, mouth with a dentist. Capes Medical sores and oral thrush on advice Only effective if Supplies. of dentist or physician. mouth is clean (brush Toothshop website Freshmint variety is teeth first). (www.toothshop.co. recommended, as it has a Contains alcohol (12- nz) slightly less powerful 14%) so may have Colgate Savacol concentration of chlorhexidine drying effect. Mouthwash (0.12% as opposed to 0.2%). May stain tooth (Freshmint variety Reduces gum inflammation. surfaces if used for recommended) Inhibits dental plaque formation prolonged period. when used for short periods. Approximate Product Benefits Precautions Where can I get it? cost Antibacterial mouth and throat Contains higher Toothshop website Approx. $10 (300ml) rinse. concentration of (www.toothshop.co. Contains chlorhexidine, used chlorhexidine than nz) for swollen gums and mouth Freshmint variety sores on advice of dentist or (0.2%). physician. Not recommended May be less drying than for prolonged use Freshmint or Original Savacol without consultation varieties, as it does not contain with a dentist. alcohol. Only effective if Colgate Savacol mouth is clean (brush Mouthwash – teeth first). alcohol free May stain tooth surfaces if used for prolonged period. Especially formulated to sooth Stocked by many 240ml: $11 - $17 and relieve dry mouth. pharmacies. 470ml: $16 - $24 Contains natural antibacterial Toothshop website enzymes. (www.toothshop.co. Alcohol free. nz) Helps neutralise mouth odours. Capes Medical Supplies. Biotene Dry Mouth Mouthwash Approximate Product Benefits Precautions Where can I get it? cost Especially formulated to sooth Great Smile $15 - $17 and relieve dry mouth. website Alcohol free. (www.greatsmile.co Cleans and protects the mouth .nz) from bacterial plaque. Capes Medical Supplies. Xerostom Mouthwash Mouth Moisturisers and Saliva Substitutes A mouth moisturiser can be applied to the inside of your mouth after cleaning your teeth and mouth, to keep your mouth moist and healthy; apply to lips, inside of cheeks, tongue and around gums and teeth. Mouth moisturisers and saliva substitutes are especially useful if you experience chronic dry mouth (xerostomia), and can aid speaking, chewing and swallowing for people with dry mouth. Dry mouth has many causes including: some diseases, radiotherapy, some medications, smoking, advanced age. Another option for moisturising your mouth that some people find helpful is to apply grape-seed oil or rice- bran oil to the inside of the mouth. You could either use a small spray bottle or apply with a mouth swab. Flavouring such as an essence of your choice can be added to make this more pleasant. Use with caution if you are prone to choking or aspirating on secretions, or have swallowing difficulties. This should be discussed with your SLT before trying. Do not use Vaseline, wool fat or greasy crèmes / gels in the mouth; use only WATER SOLUBLE, MUCOADHESIVE GEL approved for use in mouth and on lips. Vaseline, Petrolatum type products can inflame already dry and cracked lips and should not be used around oxygen. Product Benefits Precautions Where can I get Approximate it? cost Soothes and moisturises dry or This is a lip and USL Medical. $6.20 (USL order sore lips and mouths. oral moisturiser code: 90007) rather than a saliva ($75 minimum Water- based mucoadhesive formula with Vitamin E and substitute. order applies). coconut oil coats the mouth Relieves symptoms and tongue and helps to reduce of dry mouth, but mouth pain from oral sores. does not increase May be used on lips and inside saliva production. Sage Toothette the mouth. It is recommended Mouth Moisturizer Pleasant spearmint flavour can you see your doctor if the cause of your help to promote saliva and freshen the mouth dry mouth has not been investigated. A saliva substitute designed to Relieves symptoms May be prescribed $27 - $36 help relieve the difficulties and of dry mouth, but by your doctor. damage associated with does not increase Available from reduced saliva production. saliva production. some pharmacies Contains electrolytes modified It is recommended without to simulate natural saliva. you see your doctor prescription. Pleasant lemon flavour. if the cause of your Capes Medical dry mouth has not Supplies. been investigated. Oralube saliva substitute Product Benefits Precautions Where can I get Approximate it? cost Especially formulated for relief Relieves symptoms Stocked by most $17 - $22 (42g) of moderate-severe dry mouth. of dry mouth, but pharmacies. does not increase Provides long-lasting relief (up Toothshop website to 8 hours). saliva production. (www.toothshop.co. Bio-active enzymes strengthen It is recommended nz) your saliva’s natural properties. you see your doctor Capes Medical Helps neutralise odours. if the cause of your Supplies. Oral Balance Dry dry mouth has not Mouth Moisturising been investigated. Gel Especially formulated for relief Relieves symptoms Great Smile $15 - $17 of dry mouth. of dry mouth, but website Soothes tissues while cleaning does not increase (greatsmile.co.nz). and protecting mouth from saliva production. Capes Medical cavities and bacterial plaque. It is recommended Supplies. you see your doctor Xerostom Saliva if the cause of your Substitute Gel dry mouth has not been investigated. Product Benefits Precautions Where can I get Approximate it? cost A saliva substitute to relieve Relieves symptoms Stocked by some Gel (100g): $17 - symptoms of dry mouth.