This one’s for our general practice dental hygienists doing the selfless work of caring for our general population. Kayla Gallegos is a general practice RDH, myofunctional therapist, and immediate past president of the New Mexico Dental Hygienists’ Association. Kayla loves general dentistry because she gets to see a vast variety of patients in her practice, including geriatric, pediatric, and special needs patients. “I love the diversity and being able to help each group by individualizing their care. Every patient’s needs are different and being able to recommend products that will be the most effective for them is a huge success,” she says.
In her general practice, Kayla recommends Cocofloss, Crest Gum Detoxify, and SmartMouth Clinical DDS mouth rinse.
"Loofah for your smile"
Cocofloss doesn’t just have a fresh and appealing Instagram; it also has a refreshing product. It’s made with textured filaments that “don’t just slide over teeth.” Cocofloss expands to remove plaque and bacteria by using interwoven fibers to “maximize strength and minimize shredding.” It comes in various natural aromatic oil scents, including Delicious Mint, Fresh Coconut, Pure Strawberry, Cara Cara Orange, and Mixed Fruit. The coconut oil-infused floss is made with vegan wax, toxin free and cruelty free. With options for a mailed subscription every three months, Cocofloss ensures patients are never without their favorite biofilm-fighting product.
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Detox your gums!
Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean stannous fluoride toothpaste has an activated foam that penetrates up to 4 mm below the gumline. Crest Gum Detoxify not only goes subgingival; it also neutralizes plaque bacteria and prevents the cellular inflammatory response. Its gum-penetrating capabilities provide antibacterial gum protection for 12 hours after brushing. Kayla loves Crest Gum Detoxify for her special needs and elderly patients: “[My patients] often have dexterity issues, and the foaming paste can work better for those hard-to-reach areas.” Stannous can stain, but with its specialized formulation, staining is no longer a concern for most patients. Kayla also likes Crest Gum Detoxify for “its mild mint flavor.” As the mother of a child with autism, I can also attest to Crest Gum Detoxify’s appealing mild flavor, especially for those who struggle with texture and “spicy”-tasting toothpaste.
Smart mouth
Another smart choice for Kayla’s patients includes SmartMouth Clinical DDS mouth rinse. Kayla especially loves it for her special needs patients: “My special needs patients are often on chlorhexidine long term, and we know how that can have negative effects.” SmartMouth uses zinc ion technology to combat plaque buildup and gingivitis without “increased tartar buildup.” Kayla also likes that she can put her patients on a regimen of SmartMouth long term and not just short term. “It is used for prevention and treatment,” she says. SmartMouth Clinical DDS is also an over-the-counter product, making it more accessible for patients.
What else is on Kayla’s tray? Follow Kayla Gallegos, MSDH, RDH, @kaylajean_1311 on Instagram for more general dentistry and special needs tips.
