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Beware of These Drug Store Dental Products Marietta, GA

Beware of These Drug Store Dental Products

Woman Sitting in a Dentist Chair Marietta GA

Your local pharmacy or drug store offers shelves of health and beauty products. Most drug stores have an entire aisle devoted to “oral care.” While we support the majority of these products (especially when it comes to toothpastes and toothbrushes), there are some dental products that we wish weren’t sold over the counter. Here are a few of those dental products that may be questionable, ineffective, not necessary or even do more harm than good.

Nighttime Bite Guards

This oral appliance is intended to control bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) while you sleep. However, the mouthguard must precisely fit over your unique bite in order to work correctly. A drug store bite guard uses “boil-and-bite” methods that don’t always provide a custom fit. More importantly, it is typically made of a flexible rubbery material that can actually encourage clenching and chewing, which means you can overstrain your TMJ and end up with more harm than good.

Dental Picks and Scraping Tools

Drug stores often offer a variety of dental picks or tools that can be used to dislodge stubborn food particles or scrape away unwanted debris from your teeth. You should know that routine brushing and flossing is all you need to clean between your teeth and control plaque and tartar. There is no need to tackle the job with a sharp pick that can easily puncture or irritate your gums and other soft tissues. Tools for scraping should only be used by a dentist, where they can be safely handled and sterilized to prevent infection.

DIY Teeth Whitening

This is one of the most common dental products that patients buy at a drug store. Over-the-counter whitening can include kits, strips, pastes and other types of products. While many of these items may bring slight improvement to the shade of your smile, there are problems that come with trusting your drug store over your dentist. Without a dentist’s foresight and evaluation of your smile health, some of these whitening products may be too harsh for your teeth and gums. Furthermore, they often require repeated use, which leads to accumulated expenses that you could have avoided with a one-time whitening treatment at your dental office.

Are you interested in buying a certain dental product at the drug store? Run it by your dentist first. Dr. Gilreath has a keen understanding on which products are good for your oral health, and the ones that are a waste of money or even a detriment to your smile.

Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV, Gilreath Family Dentistry Marietta

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Our Client Reviews
Gilreath Family Dentistry

Sarah Khatib

Dr. Daniel Lee is the best dentist I've seen. She's so considerate of your fear of the dentist and was so painless although multiple procedures were done at the same time to save me a visit. Will definitely be coming here for years to come Il!

Susan

Dr. Gilreath is incredible with my kids. They love going to the dentist now! And this busy mom loves the warm neck wraps, the soft music and enjoying a latte while I relax!

Kenneth H.

Was lucky enough to find these guys when I got insurance that my old dentist did not take. Very professional and friendly staff! Office has the latest greatest technology as well. If you're looking for a new dentist, search no further!

Susie L.

Very personable and friendly, they took the time to go over my complex dental history and did not pressure me into anything. They gave their recommendations and priced out any options I had. Great group!

Camille Y.

Dr. Gilreath and his staff are top notch. I received the best cleaning I've ever had while watching my favorite show. The Doctor and his staff were all very polite, friendly, and courteous. They explained everything to me clearly and presented me with options in a gentle way that didn't make me feel pressured at all. It's obvious they really care about the wellbeing of their patients. The facility and equipment is really nice as well. I will definitely be back!

Juan R.

Always willing to work around my kids and my schedules. Today I had a long appointment. They started on time and always made sure I was comfortable and that the pain was managed so the procedure could’ve been completed without issues. Very courteous and professional staff.

Lucia B.

Awesome dental practice! The staff is friendly and efficient. Dr. Gilreath is thorough and versed in the latest technology and procedures. I love that he can make crowns in the office while you wait (so no walking around with a temporary crown for days or weeks). I would strongly recommend this dental practice!

Matthew W.

I've been going here for about a little over a year now. I've had a few cleanings, a filling, and started Invisiline so far. Hands down, the best run dental office I've ever been to. In the past at other dental offices I often had to wait 30 or more minutes beyond my appointment time before being seen. At Dr. Gilreath's office I've been seen on time every time. They seem to have systems in place to make every part of your visit run smoothly. From how they took x-rays, to billing and appointments, to the work done by the hygienist/dentist, everything seems to run like a well oiled machine. On top of that all the staff are all friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The office space itself is also quite nice. Very clean, well maintained, and seems very "up to date" with their equipment. If you're looking for a dentist and are anywhere in the northwest metro area I would highly recommend Dr. Gilreath.

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Gilreath Family Dentistry

200 White St NW
Marietta, GA 30060

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