In the grand scheme of grooming, taking care of your teeth isn’t the sexiest. But you know what’s even less sexy? A messed up grill.
Dental hygiene may fall by the wayside in your grooming regimen in favor of skincare or styling your hair, but it’s just as important, if not more so. Everyone wants whiter teeth, of course, but skipping mouth care can lead to other, worse issues like bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease and more.
You can have the most perfect skin and flyest hair on the planet, but if your teeth are falling out, that’s all you’re going to see.
If you’ve been to the dentist before (we sure hope you’re going the recommended twice a year), then you already have a pretty good idea of what good dental hygiene is like. It’s brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing after you brush. Mouthwash, whitening, and all the other accoutrements are icing on the cake, but if you’re not doing the basics, that stuff doesn’t matter.
As for what you use, dentists usually recommend electric toothbrushes over manual ones because they have superior cleaning power—though truthfully, whatever toothbrush you use is better than no toothbrush at all. If you have sensitive gums, a water flosser could be a good substitute for traditional floss, but be aware that it might not be as thorough. Once again, something is always better than nothing. And in terms of toothpastes, the Oral Health Foundation always recommends using one with fluoride, the best tool we have to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities, but you may see more versions out there without the ingredient (fluoride has gotten a bad rep in some circles in recent years). Look for toothpastes that target specific problems you might have, like sensitivity or whitening, and go from there.
If your head is spinning from all this, don’t worry. The world of dental hygiene isn’t so overwhelming if you know where to start and luckily, you have this list of the best products out there. Now, go forth and brush!
Grin Natural Bamboo Charcoal-Infused Toothbrush
This charcoal-infused bamboo toothbrush is made from 100% biodegradable bamboo—way more eco-friendly than your usual plastic. It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver into the far reaches of your mouth, and the soft bristles are gentle on your gums. Plus – the toothbrush bristles have been infused with a premium activated charcoal which has been recognised for its antibacterial and detoxifying properties for thousands of years. Alongside brushing the charcoal works to keep bacteria at bay. Who said you can’t get as clean with a plant-friendly option?
Hello activated charcoal mouthwash
There’s no alcohol in this minty mouthwash that will leave your mouth feeling dry and weird after using it. Instead, there’s tea tree and coconut oil that help hydrate your tongue and gums to avoid that cottonmouth feeling.
Waterpik Waterflosser
Is a water flosser absolutely necessary? Probably not. But can a water flosser make your mouth feel like you just went to the dentist every day? Absolutely. We stan water flossers because you can’t argue with how fresh they make your mouth feel—and if you’re the kind of person who finds flossing too hard or, worse, painful, a water flosser can be a much gentler way to clean between your teeth. This version even has a “sensitive” setting that is easier on your gums and teeth, particularly if you have sensitivity issues.
Gem Oral Beauty Triple Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste
Not all natural toothpastes contain dentist-recommended fluoride, but this one does. That fluoride is what helps this paste strengthen enamel and fight cavities. There’s also silica to help scrub away stains and a fresh minty flavour that leaves your mouth feeling as fresh as the toothpaste you’re used to.
Hismile V34 Colour Correcting Foam
We all want whiter teeth, but whitening at home can be super hit and miss, and getting a professional treatment can be expensive. Thanks to the innovation happening over at HiSmile, it’s gotten a whole lot easier.
The brand’s new V34 Colour Corrector Foam is an easy-to-use product that works to brighten teeth by utilising colour correcting technology. Use it with any of their other products and you’ll be heading towards whiter teeth in no time.
SmileDirectClub aligners
Straightening your teeth can be a super lengthy process, and for some reason it can feel even longer the older you are. So when there are brands out their that make the process easier, it’s a win-win for everyone.
SmileDirectClub offers remote teledentistry, our aligners let you straighten your teeth on your schedule, from the comfort of your own home.
Byte At-Night Aligners
And if you don’t want to wear aligners all day, Byte’s At-Night Aligners are a great option: Just put your aligners in at night, and take them out again in the morning when you’re ready to face the world.
Using high-grade, grind resistant polymer material, Byte at Night is able to give you the convenience of less wear time with a minimum of 10+ continuous hours nightly. Not bad.