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Oral Health
We won’t sugarcoat it, taking good care of your mouth, teeth, and gums is important to your overall health.
But when sores, aches and pains get in the way, they can pull us away from healthy habits and cause long-lasting discomfort. Keep your teeth, gums, and mouth feeling clean and healthy all day every day by getting to know what over-the-counter (OTC) solutions are available to help you become pain-free. Now that's something to smile about!
It's never too early to start your journey to great oral health. Starting with your child, gently brushing their gums with a wet gauze pad or soft bristled toothbrush is the easiest way to remove plaque and milk residue. As your little one grows, continue to brush their teeth and gums to prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.
It's not just for kids either. Whether you have natural teeth, dentures, or bridges, good oral care is a must and can help protect against serious health issues such as heart attack, stroke, and preterm labor. Taking just a few minutes each day to clean and care for your teeth and gums will help you look and feel your best.
Teeth and Gum Care
Practicing and maintaining good oral hygiene is an important part of your daily self-care routine. You can practice by always brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, flossing once a day, replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, and eating a well-balanced diet. And don’t forget to schedule those regular check-ups with your dentist to keep that smile nice and healthy.
If you start to notice unexpected pain or discomfort when eating or drinking hot or cold food and drinks, or when you breathe through your mouth, you may be experiencing symptoms of sensitive teeth. There are toothpaste products available to help manage tooth sensitivity, but it's important to get to the root of the problem—especially if it lasts more than a few weeks. Early detection and treatment of problems related to your teeth and gums can ensure a lifetime of good oral health.
Teeth and Gum Treatments
Did you know that both toothpaste and mouthwash are over-the-counter (OTC) medicines? Brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings should be a key part of your healthcare regimen. Poor oral or dental hygiene can cause cavities and gingivitis and has been linked to other health conditions.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste
When it comes to choosing the best toothpaste for you, it’s important to consider your unique oral health needs. Despite the many types of toothpaste that are available, there are some OTC ingredients common to most varieties.
Other examples of OTC toothpastes:
- Aquafresh®, REMBRANDT®
Contains the active ingredient Fluoride
Safe Use Tips for
Toothpaste
It is important to use the proper amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Use a smear or a grain-of-rice sized amount for children under three years old, or a pea-sized amount after age three.
- Brush and floss twice a day, especially after eating.
- Brush with a toothpaste that contains fluoride and a soft toothbrush.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash
When looking for a way to freshen your breath, there are plenty of mouthwashes to choose from. However, mouthwash doesn’t just cover up bad breath, it’s also important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. While effective brushing and flossing unbind bacteria and plaque from the surface of your teeth, rinsing afterward is important to make sure that bacteria leaves your mouth for good.
- Aquafresh® Complete Care, Colgate® Total for Gum Health, LISTERINE® Total Care
Contains the active ingredient Flouride
- LISTERINE® Antispetic Cool Mint Mouthwash
Contains the active ingredients Menthol, Methyl Salicylate, Thymol, and Eucalyptol
- Store brands (ex. Walmart's “Equate” store brand or CVS Health's store brand)
Safe Use Tips for
Mouthwash
Mouth rinses and mouthwashes can cause serious illness and injury to children if they’re swallowed. These products should be kept out of the reach and sight of children.
Pay special attention to your oral care habits if you are pregnant or nursing and when your child begins teething.
Oral Discomfort & Treatments
Dealing with pain from toothaches or mouth sores caused by canker sores, cold sores, gum sores, cheek bites, or braces is not fun. Luckily, over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments may help you find relief from the discomfort.
Call your dentist immediately if you have pain that persists for more than a day or two, a fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, or signs and symptoms of an infection, such as swelling, pain when you bite, red gums or a foul-tasting discharge.
Oral Discomfort Gels
Oral Discomfort Gels
These medicines can help provide temporary relief from pain associated with minor mouth and gum irritations. But you shouldn’t take them for very long. You should also see your doctor if you find that you rely on these medicines often. They may help you find temporary relief, but it’s important to find out what is causing your oral discomfort in the first place.
Safe Use Tips for
Skin Protectants
Safe Use Tips for First-Aid Antibiotics
Safe Use Tips for First-Aid Antiseptics
- Kanka®
Contains the active ingredient Benzocaine
- Store brands (ex. Walmart's “Equate” store brand or CVS Health's store brand)
Safe Use Tips for
Oral Discomfort Gels
Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the product.
You should never take more medicine or for a longer period of time than what the Drug Facts label says.
Do not use benzocaine oral drug products in children under 2 years old.
Safety Tips for
Oral Health
Homeopathic Products
Homeopathic dental health products are derived from plants, minerals, and animal substances that are known for their pharmacological or biological actions. For safety, read all instructions and warnings on the product label before taking any homeopathic product and follow all dosing instructions. Please be aware that products labeled as homeopathic and currently marketed in the U.S. have not been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent or mitigate any diseases or conditions.
OTC homeopathic oral pain treatments include:
- Arnica montana
- Borax
- Calendula
- Chamomilla
- Coffea cruda
Answer a few questions to quickly learn about your personal risk factors and which oral OTC pain reliever is right for you.
Fluoride is an anti-cavity active ingredient available in over-the-counter (OTC) products that help prevent tooth decay and cavities (also known as caries), such as toothpastes, mouthwashes, and rinses. Fluoride can be the only active ingredient in an anti-cavity medicine or it can be found in medicines that contain additional active ingredients that address other oral health issues, such as plaque, gingivitis, and tooth sensitivity. Learn more about Fluoride
Menthol is either derived naturally from peppermint or other mint oils or synthetically manufactured. When used as an active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, menthol has a number of different uses. Depending on the dose and form, menthol can be used to help control plaque; kill bacteria that can contribute to the development of gingivitis; relieve oral discomfort associated with canker sores, injury of the mouth and gums, sore throat, fever blisters, or cold sores.
