Dear Dr. Ellie:
If Closys is an antibacterial rinse, why doesn’t your system use it before and after brushing, instead of using Listerine?
VW
Dear VW
This is a long answer but you asked the question!
Not all antibacterial products work the same way : Listerine and Closys are not inter changeable.
The features of Closys are very different from those of Listerine. Closys is pH neutral and Listerine is acidic.
The antibacterial nature of these rinses is important, but my system also uses their neutral and acidic features.
Closys is a pH neutral rinse ( this ensures that your mouth is not acidic before brushing).
Toothpaste is abrasive (Crest is not too abrasive but all pastes contain abrasive). If you brush toothpaste onto acid-softened teeth, you wear away enamel.
Closys is a very good surfactant it can travel down crevices around the tooth down the “pockets” or spaces between gums and the tooth surface. Closys seems to pick up debris and float it to the surface ready to be brushed away. [This is why we use it first]
(You can experiment yourself: Rub garden dirt around your finger tips under the cuticles of your finger nails. Now wash with soap the dirt will probably remain under the cuticles. Now use a little Closys before the soap stage and the dirt will lift out easily and your nails (and cuticles) will be clean.)
Listerine is acidic. It is an excellent cleaner to wash off debris after brushing. Listerine works best on the spherical immature bacteria the early precursors of plaque. (Listerine does not seem to have much effect getting rid of old bacteria of periodontal and gum disease from pockets around teeth use Closys for this not Listerine).
So we use Listerine to clean off toothpaste we leave the surface clean. Listerine is acidic and opens up the “pores” of teeth. We like this because it enhances the effects of the ACT dilute fluoride rinse. ACT “closes” the pores of the teeth with extra minerals.
So it is not just their “antibacterial” features that we access we are looking for a “complete package.” Try this system for yourself and you will “feel” the effects!
Thanks for your interest,
Ellie
Categories: Plaque
I'd like to extend my gratitude to you for the system. I have started using closys before I brush, followed by Crest Pro Health+whitening. I then using Listerine and ACT. I use the trident extra care gum as well, and my teeth have not only felt better, they look noticably better too
Thanks for your comments.I am glad your teeth are feeling better. Now to make your teeth even better, I suggest your try Crest Regular Anticavity paste with NOTHING added. This is not Pro Health – but the old original Crest toothpaste ( developed in the 1950s). I think you will notice a big improvement – and ProHealth often causes sensitivity and staining ( Pro Health is very different from the Original Regular Crest paste). Also Trident gum contains sorbitol mixed in with xylitol. Sometimes sorbitol can limit the benefits of xylitol and cause acid reflux symptoms. I suggest you look for 100 percent xylitol mints and gum – they are becoming more widely available in health food sections of grocery stores or on the internet. Best Wishes, and I am glad things are improving for you! Ellie http://www.zellies.com26 Corporate WoodsRochester, NY 14623(585) 272-1270
I have been using Closys twice a day. However I working in UAE for 3 months and can't find it here. I have been able to find Corsodyl. ? The internet indicate Corsodyl should be used 30 minutes before brushing to avoid staining the teeth. Can you comment on using Corsodyl as a temporary substitute Closys
I know nothing about Corsodyl or if it works in any of the same ways as Closys. I prefer to recommend the exact products as much as possible. I contacted the Closys company: Here is a response from them – good news!"At this moment we do not sell in UAE. However, we are developing that area of the world as we speak and hope to have distribution there by the end of this year. For now they would have to purchase in the US and check in their luggage and bring with them."