Are you asking, "Which products should I buy?"
The answer is important because many products look similar on shelves but are not interchangeable within my Complete Mouth Care System. Different versions may contain different ingredients and formulations.
Many people assume that if a product says "CloSYS," "Listerine," or "ACT," any version will work. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.
The Complete Mouth Care System was developed using very specific products and formulations. Small differences between product versions can matter, which is why I recommends using the exact products listed below whenever possible.
The Easiest Option
The Complete Mouth Care System Kit on Zellie's
If you'd rather skip the research and avoid wondering whether you've selected the correct products, the easiest solution is to purchase the Complete Mouth Care System Kit on zellies.com. This is often a great starting place so you can see the products in person before braving the store alone.
*Images are outdated. Packaging of each product has been updated. Do not use this photo as a guide. The Kit comes with the new correct products.
The kit costs $68 on zellies.com and includes all recommended products (free shipping on order over $75 — US only — toothbrush not included, but also available for sale on zellies.com).
What's included:
- CloSYS Ultra Sensitive
- Crest+ Toothpaste
- Listerine Cool Mint
- ACT Fluoride Mint
- 2x Bottles of Zellie's xylitol mints
- KIT DOES NOT INCLUDE a toothbrush
Product #1: CloSYS
CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Unflavored
Recommended:
- CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Unflavored Mouth Rinse
Products that are NOT recommended:
- CloSYS Fresh Breath
- CloSYS Healthy Gums
- CloSYS Healthy Teeth
- CloSYS Mouth Sores
- Other CloSYS specialty formulas
Why CloSYS?
The Complete Mouth Care System was developed using CloSYS Ultra Sensitive. Other CloSYS products contain different formulations and are not considered interchangeable within the system.
Product #2: The Toothbrush
Mouthwatchers Dr. Plotka's Toothbrush
Recommended:
- Mouthwatchers Dr. Plotka's Adult Toothbrush
- Mouthwatchers Dr. Plotka's Kid Toothbrush
- Mouthwatchers Dr. Plotka's Travel Toothbrush
Products that are NOT recommended:
- Waterpik (unless your mouth is absolutely healthy)
- Flossing (unless you need to remove a piece of food)
- Electric toothbrushes
- Toothbrushes that are too soft or too hard
Why Mouthwatchers Toothbrushes?
I recommend these toothbrushes because their ultra-fine bristles clean effectively while gently massaging gum tissue.
Many toothbrushes clean teeth, but this design supports the gentle brushing technique used throughout the Complete Mouth Care System.
Product #3: Crest+ Cavity Protection
Crest+ Cavity Protection with Active Fluoride Regular Paste
Recommended:
- Crest+ Cavity Protection with Active Fluoride Regular Paste
- Kid's Crest Cavity Protection Bubblegum
- Other Kid's Crest with Fluoride
*Kids should NOT ingest fluoride, particularly before the age of 6 years old. Fluoride interferes with specialized cells called ameloblasts that form tooth enamel and ingestion of fluoride at a young age can cause problems with adult teeth in the future. Children must be able to spit independently before starting my system, and even then, they should be monitored.
Products that are NOT recommended:
- Crest+ Scope
- Crest+ Tartar
- Crest Pro Health
- Crest 3D White
- Whitening formulas
- Other speciality formulas
- Colgate Total
- Colgate Cavity Protection
- Sensodyne
- Pronamel
- Other toothpaste brands, even if they sound "healthy"
- I DO NOT recommend hydroxiapatite
Why Crest+ Toothpaste?
I recommend this toothpaste because it does not contain glycerin, has the correct amounts of sodium fluoride for cavity protection, has the right abrasion to remove food particles yet not damage teeth, and has been clinically tested.
Product #4: Listerine
Listerine Intense Original (Classic) or Cool Mint
Recommended:
- Listerine Original (Classic) Intense
- Listerine Cool Mint Intense
Products that are NOT recommended:
- Listerine Extra Mild
- Listerine Mild
- Listerine Total Care
- Listerine Alcohol Free
- Listerine Clinical Solutions
- Listerine Ultraclean
- Listerine Gum Therapy
Why Listerine?
Listerine offers a unique combination of alcohol and essential oils that help penetrate and disrupt the bacterial biofilm (plaque) that coats the teeth. The alcohol acts as a carrier, allowing the four essential oils (eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, and methyl salicylate) to reach bacteria hidden within the biofilm more effectively than alcohol-free formulas.
Product #5: ACT Anticavity
ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse
Recommended:
- ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse Mint Flavor
- ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse Bubble Gum Flavor
- ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse Cinnamon Flavor
Products that are NOT recommended:
- ACT Pure Protect
- ACT Restoring
- ACT Total Care
- ACT Whitening Mouthwash
- ACT Dry Mouth
Why ACT Fluoride?
The standard ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse formula has the appropriate dilution of sodium fluoride (never stannous fluoride) at 0.5%.
The sodium fluoride concentration differs in some alternative ACT products, including Total Care.
Product #6: Xylitol
Zellie's Xylitol Gum & Mints
Recommended:
- Zellie's xylitol gum (all flavors)
- Zellie's xylitol mints (all flavors)
- PUR Gum
- Epic Gum
- Spry
Products that are NOT recommended:
- Trident with xylitol
- Other products claiming they contain xylitol yet only contain a small amount or include other harmful ingredients (sorbitol, etc.) as the primary ingredient
Why Zellie's?
I founded and am still a (very small) part of Zellie's today. Zellie's xylitol gum and mints are crafted specifically for oral health support and are sweetened with 100% xylitol.
They contain no sorbitol and no added sugars that interfere with the oral health benefits of xylitol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Ellie recommends CloSYS Ultra Sensitive. Other CloSYS products, including Fresh Breath, Healthy Gums, Healthy Teeth, and Mouth Sore Rinse, are not part of the Complete Mouth Care System.
Dr. Ellie recommends Crest+ Cavity Protection with Active Fluoride Regular Paste containing sodium fluoride at 0.243%.
Dr. Ellie recommends using Crest+ Cavity Protection Regular Paste as part of the Complete Mouth Care System.
Your teeth will naturally become whiter when using this system and you should not need artificial whitening products. Additionally, all artificial whitening products are acidic and damage tooth enamel (and gum health) no matter what the marketing on the product says.
Purchase either Listerine Original (Classic) Intense or Listerine Cool Mint Intense.
No. Dr. Ellie recommends the Intense versions of Listerine used in the Complete Mouth Care System.
No. Listerine Total Care is not part of the Complete Mouth Care System.
ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse in either Mint or Bubble Gum flavor.
No. ACT Total Care is not the recommended ACT product for the Complete Mouth Care System. It does not have the correct dilution of sodium fluoride.
Dr. Ellie recommends the Mouthwatchers Dr. Plotka's Toothbrush.
Dr. Ellie recommends Zellie's Mints and Zellie's Gum.
Yes. Choose products where xylitol is the first ingredient and avoid products containing sugar or large amounts of alternative sweeteners.
If you choose another brand, use these guidelines:
- Xylitol should be the first ingredient.
- Avoid products containing sugar.
- Avoid products where xylitol is only a minor ingredient.
- Avoid products heavily diluted with other sweeteners.
Many high-quality granular xylitol products are also available.
The simplest option is to purchase Dr. Ellie's Complete Mouth Care System Kit, which includes the recommended products in one convenient package.
Once you know exactly which products to purchase, it's also really nice to set up Amazon subscriptions to deliver the products every few months.
The answer depends on your current oral health, your consistency, your overall health, and how long you've been dealing with oral health problems. But there is a general pattern that many people experience when they begin following my Complete Mouth Care System.
The good news is that your mouth can often begin changing much sooner than people expect.
Dr. Ellie's Complete Mouth Care System is an at-home oral care system that help will eliminate plaque, heal gingivitis, prevent cavities, heal periodontal disease and gum problems while supporting a healthy oral microbiome.
Dr. Ellie recommends a number or oral care techniques and daily habits that will help your mouth heal.
- The Complete Mouth Care System
- Xylitol
- Mouth resting
- A healthy lifestyle (+ saliva health)
