Special Needs Oral Care

[bizarro]

I have really bad allergies and I even react to most toothpaste. I've been using only Toms of Maine Spearmint or Strawberry for several years because it's the mildest flouride toothpaste I can find. Lately the spearmint has been burning my mouth more than usual and I think I have a problem with the strawberry too. I also have leukoplakia and gum disease. Squigle is the mildest flouride toothpaste I have found, plus its cruelty free! Has anybody tried this brand or another mild flouride toothpaste and had good resullts? I'm thinking of ordering some really soon. Looks expensive but worth it..? Any thoughts?

http://www.dermadoctor.com/product.asp?AID=5900&productid=662

I'm using Closys II mouthwash and am very happy with it, case any body is interested. It is alcohol free and tastes like water. The flavoring comes on the side and is optional. http://www.smilekiss.com

Please share your oral care stories and what works/doesnt work for you!

[bizarro]

doesnt anybody want to talk about this? i guess im a freak and the only one with mouth issues. i swear im allegic to my own skin. aaaaarrrhhhhhh!!! this sucks.

well, i think im going to order that squigle toothpaste soon.

[Dirty Martini]

One of the best, mildest toothpastes I've used is Weleda.

http://www.weleda.com/
http://usa.weleda.com/products/oral_care.asp

I used their pink toothpaste trying to get rid of my mouth sores (as a reaction to SLS) and it did the trick. It didn't leave my mouth "minty fresh" like more powerful toothpastes would, but it did clean my teeth.

good luck!

[bizarro]

Thanks for the reply and suggestion Amy-I wish I could try that stuff because it is much less expensive than Squigle but it doesn't have flouride. I'm not sure whats up with the whole flouride contraversy and why some people avoid it but my dentist told be I have to use something with flouride. Glad somebody else here has similar mouth issues and it's encouraging to see you found something that works for you.

[Dirty Martini]

well... could you use a fluoride-based mouthwash after using a fluoride-free toothpaste?

And why does your dentist insist you use a fluoride toothpaste? is it because of the dental issues you have? Or is it mindless recitation by your dentist? If it's the latter, and you drink tapwater that is fluorinated, I don't think you need to use fluoride toothpaste.

You're in Portland right? If you're in the city, you probably get your water from the Bull Run reservoir which is fluorinated.

[bizarro]

well... could you use a fluoride-based mouthwash after using a fluoride-free toothpaste?

The dentist wants me on the ClosysII mouthwash only which does not contain flouride. I have so many mouth problems. I have allergies to most toothpastes and rinses but I'm not sure what the ingredients are that I react to. I had a serious problem with the skin peeling out of my mouth until I switched to Toms of Maine Strawberry but now even it's burning. (I just thought it was cotton mouth until a dentist pointed this out. :surprised I can't even have the flouride treatments at the dentists. Guess it's time to see an allergy specialist.

I don't get canker sores like you. I have potentially precancerous lesions that are not painful which is from a condition called leukoplakia. I also just had a non cancerous tumor thing removed from my tongue. Plus I have gum disease as mentioned above. These problems are probably from smoking but theres no way of knowing.


And why does your dentist insist you use a fluoride toothpaste? is it because of the dental issues you have? Or is it mindless recitation by your dentist? If it's the latter, and you drink tapwater that is fluorinated, I don't think you need to use fluoride toothpaste.

I don't really know why she insists, I didn't ask. I do have some cavities though and I brush 2x's a day with flouride toothpaste. I think shes the best doctor I've had and I'm not willing to belive its mindless recitation on her part. But I am going to ask her at my next appointment in a few weeks.


You're in Portland right? If you're in the city, you probably get your water from the Bull Run reservoir which is fluorinated.

Yeah I am close-in to downtown actually. I'm not sure if it comes from Bullrun honestly and I don't know if just drinking the water is enough...?

[Dirty Martini]

I don't know either, actually... the answer probably depends on whom you ask ...

well good luck!!! Oh, I did find Weleda because I asked someone at New Seasons (sellwood) about the ulcers I was getting in my mouth - she explained two causes, SLS & B-vit deficiency. Anyway, those are irrelevant to you b/c our issues are different, but my point is that the woman was incredibly knowledgeable - so you might ask one of the employees in the New Seasons health dept for advice on a good toothpaste. They might be able to point out something that you haven't seen or considered before...?? worth a shot anyway!

Good luck!

amy

[bizarro]

Thanks for your suggestions Amy! I found something that may interest you while browsing Drugstore.com

Ulser Ease (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=15754&catid=20150&trx=PLST-0-SRCH&trxp1=20150&trxp2=15754&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SRCH)

[inkwenkwezi]

hi. this is what i use and find it all really good. hopefully you can find it where you are. i have found the best toothpaste to use is one with miswak extract. it is a natural toothpaste (usually with very few ingredients + the miswak extract). miswak is a stick/branch that many people in older cultures used as a toothbrush (before the advent of "modern" toothbrushing things). the active thing in the branch is cleansing for your teeth and healing for your gums. it is a very mild toothpaste and tastes good. i have found two brands locally, the one is made in india (so any indian speciality store might have it or be able to get it). both brands have what i believe to be arabic. i think it is used by muslims. i get mine from a local muslim spice/specailty goods shop.

miswak doesn't have flouride in it, but since having braces, i was told to use a special flouride gel once a week after brushing normally. the one i have is called elmex gel and it comes from germany. it is a tiny tube, and a little expensive, but it lasts a VERY long time. i am a bit on the fence about using it often though. everything i have read about flourinated water is bad (cancer causing etc). personally i would avoid it. perhaps it is flourinated water which has caused your mouth problems. i think it is definitely worth looking into. you should look at this site > http://www.fluoridealert.org/health.htm

hope this all helps some. (i think the miswak is really worth a try).