Here’s a dirty little secret: gum disease, tooth decay, and pain won’t get you there. But, proper oral hygiene can result in a nice smile and prevent most dental diseases. The American Dental Association (ADA) reminds us that our mouths are windows into the health of our bodies, and it is essential that we follow the recommended guidelines for optimum oral and dental health.
So what are those, you ask. Read further.
Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss or clean in between your teeth once a day.
Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months
Visit your dentist regularly
Eat a healthy balanced diet and limit in-between snacks
The pro tips in this bite-sized read are for preventative care to avoid painful diseases and costly treatments, and teeth whitening tips to boost your confidence for a better lifestyle.
Let’s get started.
We recommend products we genuinely believe may be beneficial to your oral health. The products reviewed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Consult with your healthcare practitioner for your dental concerns.
The most recent study found three benefits of using powered toothbrushes.
1. Keep cavities at bay
2. Promotes healthier gums
3. Prevents tooth loss.
Its benefits have been studied for many years, and the latest one proves that electric toothbrushes, in the long run, are better for our dental health.
Product Recommendations
Philip’s Sonicare toothbrushes are industry leaders with patented technology for oral cleansing. The following two options are not only affordable and highly effective, but smart in tech, too:
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Rechargeable Toothbrush can remove up to 7x more plaque than a manual toothbrush in a set 2-minute timer. You’re also reminded when it’s time for a replacement to maximize the effectiveness of every brush long-term. The pressure sensors ping you if you’re brushing too hard for your teeth and gums, and the adjustable speeds/preset modes help you gradually build up brushing power.
Philips One By Sonicare Battery Toothbrush
Philips One By Sonicare Battery Toothbrush: the micro-vibrations from the powerful motor and the tapered bristles effectively polish your teeth to the bone (pun intended). This brush is better for traveling as it flexes a 3-month long battery life, compared to 14 days with the first option. It also has a 2-minute timer with notifications every 30 seconds.
Rinse with Therapeutic Mouthwash
There are two kinds of mouthwash: cosmetic and therapeutic. We recommend the latter because, in addition to just breath-freshening (like in cosmetic mouthwash), therapeutic mouthwash has active ingredients to control/reduce gingivitis (gum disease), plaque, and tooth decay. You’re hitting more birds with one stone. Although, keep in mind that children should not use this product unless directed by a dentist.
Get a soothing and healing effect with this top performer mouthwash. It contains aloe vera which reduces plaque and gum bleeding- and does not stain your teeth, unlike Chlorhexidine. The best thing about this product? It's alcohol and toxin-free, and gentle to your mouth.
Give your teeth and gums more love with its Dead Sea Salt and Xylitol content - proven ingredients to reduce the harmful bacteria in your mouth.
This rinse has been clinically proven to prevent and reduce tartar. Safe and not acidic with a pH of 7.5,- and does not contain bleach and alcohol. It is great for kids at least six years of age and adults with braces, implants, or bridges.
The formulation is to prevent plaque (the sticky colorless film that binds on your teeth) from hardening into tartar- the bacteria build-up that irritates your gums. Tartar is that gunk that covers your tooth, gets under your gum line, and sticks to your fillings or dental work.
Use Oral Irrigators to Clean in Between Your Teeth
Also known as dental water jets or water flossers, oral irrigators force out plaque and food debris between teeth and below the gum line with a high-pressure pulsating water stream. It’s like a water toothpick you can use to improve oral health.
You ask me why they are Oral irrigators better than regular flossing or interdental brush? Here’s why:
You know where to find powered toothbrushes (previous section). But, you may be wondering where to look for your water toothpick to eliminate manual brushing and flossing. We have two solid recommendations for their performance and reliability:
Water Flosser, Professional Cordless Dental Oral Irrigator by Laluztop
Water Flosser, Professional Cordless Dental Oral Irrigator by Laluztop: you can choose between 5 pulse water flow modes. The 360º rotatable nozzle allows you to reach those hard-to-reach areas. The waterproof irrigator is incredibly versatile with 2 standard jet tips, 1 orthodontic tip, 1 periodontal tip, 1 nasal cleaning tip,1 tongue cleaner, and 2 toothbrush heads.
This FDA-registered dental product comes with a two-year warranty to ensure you are happy with your purchase. It comes with the traditional four tips- standard, ortho, pocket, and brush tips. The waterproof design makes it safe for baths and showers as well.
Want to get rid of a tiny steak strip in between your teeth? Choose the Pulse button to flush out annoying food debris that makes your mouth taste funny; Soft and Normal Modes- for the typical day of your no-string- flossing!
Use Teeth Whitening Products
A healthy smile can be more than just its literal meaning. Whitening your teeth has some dazzling indirect benefits, too. It has been shown that dental aesthetics like whiter teeth have a positive effect on the oral-health-related quality of life, psychological well-being, and self-esteem. You’re also seen as more attractive–so people are more drawn to you, thus aiding in better social interactions and relationships. Remember that smiles are contagious–white smiles, though.
Product Recommendations
Before trying teeth-whitening products, it’s best to consult with your dentist if you have oral health conditions like existing tooth fillings or gingivitis. With that out of the way, some popular and highly effective teeth-whitening products are:
You may be wondering how they work: each of the plastic strips you apply to the front of your teeth are coated with a gel that contains either Carbamide Peroxide or hydrogen peroxide–chemicals known to whiten teeth. Once applied, the special peroxide gel will seep into the teeth to help remove stains and lighten the teeth.
Cali White Vegan Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light
Cali White Vegan Teeth WHITENING KIT with LED Light: you can expect to see a 2-8 whiter shade smile within just 7 days of use–for 10-30 minutes a day. Their patented Universal Comfort fit Tray, and Custom Thermoform trays provide complete upper and lower bite coverage, allowing the gel to fill crevices between teeth and whitening molars, giving a uniform whitening effect on all teeth.
The VEGAN plus-side: If you choose to purchase this product, you can ensure that you’re supporting a cruelty-free production because no animal tests and harm are done.
Parting Words
You made it to the end. Congrats. Hopefully, you’ve realized that the right tools are essential alongside your daily oral health best practices. Taking these preventative measures for your oral health and using the whitening products for a beautiful smile will not only save you agony in the long run, but boost your confidence, self-esteem, and mood, too.
Go kill some nasty oral bacteria and shine your dazzling white teeth to blind some eyes, tiger.
Page, D. C. (2001). Breastfeeding is early functional jaw orthopedics (an introduction). The Functional Orthodontist, 18(3), 24. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11799699/
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