Every few months or so, I post articles on the home and health products that I have come to love in my home. (Along with the products that were not worth the money spent, unfortunately). While these posts will continue to be made, I thought that I would do a post on the dental care products I have recently tried and/or started to use regularly as of late 2022/early 2023.
Like many, I had my fair share of dental work done as a child and teen. From tooth extractions to an orthodontic journey, my mouth has gone through quite a bit. I found my gums to be extra sensitive while pregnant and I was being mindful of taking proper care of my gums. Fast forward a few years of neglect and I was honestly embarrassed by the state of the teeth that had received such great treatment in the past. I had been so lucky to have the opportunity of having braces and proper dental care; the fact that I allowed them to get so bad was embarrassing.
The point of my telling you this is to explain that I can relate to feeling ashamed.
I am letting you know that you truly are not alone if you feel this way. Let’s face it, I had been neglecting my dental care for some time, but COVID was the perfect cover-up story, too. For so long, I just smiled behind a mask. There were so many other things to worry about and to survive through…
Last year, I started to dip my toe back into taking care of my teeth. I offered to be a client for a student studying dentistry at the local college. I explained my anxieties and she was so brilliant. She eased my mind and it was the perfect way to slowly get into the mindset of caring for my teeth better. (If you are on a tight budget, I highly recommend looking into local dentistry schools to see if they offer such a service).
Overall, if you have let dental care sit on the sidelines for a while, I will be the last person to judge. If you read this post and can use it as motivation to make a dental appointment, please do. If you need a cheerleader, I’m here. Let’s make 2023 the year of healthier habits! Let’s fight back against our inner mental health “bullies” who tell us that we don’t deserve to take care of ourselves.
Note: Many of these products are what my dentist recommended for my own oral care. Always seek professional advice and recommendations prior to using such items. Links are safe Amazon referral links when possible- some may only be found in-store or through the main retailer.
Oral B Pro 500
I love electric toothbrushes. While I have no issues with manual toothbrushes, there’s something about electric ones that make me feel like I’m going the extra mile for my teeth. (200% more plaque removal along the gumline vs. a regular manual toothbrush).
What I love most about the newer Oral-B electric brushes, is that they work with a timer to notify you when it’s time to switch to another area of the mouth to brush. With a short vibration, you know that you’ve given the proper care and attention to that portion of your mouth, and it’s time to move on. In other words, you know that you’re brushing for the recommended 30 seconds per quarter of your mouth (2 minutes in total).
The battery lasts for a long time, even when brushing 2-3 times a day. When it’s time to charge, simply plug it in overnight or for a few hours during the day. Double-check with your dentist about the type of heads to use. There are several different kinds of brush heads that tackle a variety of issues. Simply confirm with a professional what is best for your mouth and gum needs.
Use with: Oral-B Sensitive Gum Care Electric Toothbrush Replacement Brush Heads Refill, 3 Count
X-Pur Opti-Rinse Plus 0.05% Fluoride
I grew up seeing Listerine in our washroom cabinets. Every morning, the scent of it lingered from when my Dad used it himself as he got ready for work. From my 20s onward, I tried various types of mouthwash in an attempt to find one that I liked. Usually, I would use whatever Crest Whitening wash I could grab.
Now, my dentist recommends that I use X Pur’s Opti-Rinse and I love it.
“X-Pur Opti-Rinse Plus 0.05% is the #1 high-strength sodium fluoride mouth rinse with 10% xylitol that is recommended and used by dental specialists. It protects against caries, helps to remineralize tooth enamel, and helps reduce gingivitis. It now contains Citrox®, a specific patented complex of bioflavonoids that provides antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties.
X-Pur Opti-Rinse Plus 0.05% is a refreshing, alcohol-free oral rinse with a neutral pH that remineralizes enamel and helps to reverse tooth decay at its earliest stage. The newly enhanced version of this oral rinse is effective against cavities, gingivitis, and dry mouth. It can also help to reduce plaque and gingivitis.”
While this link can give you more details about its benefits, it seems it cannot be ordered. However, we found it easily at our local pharmacy/Walmart.
Sawgmore Cordless Water Flosser
This Sawgmore Cordless Water Flosser is portable and uses water to floss your teeth. It has 4 cleaning modes and is USB rechargeable. Now, I don’t particularly love flossing but I love this oral irrigator. It takes some getting used to, but it’s so simple to use and it feels so good.
Depending on the model you get, it will have different cleaning modes. Ours has 4 modes and it comes with 4 different jet tips. It takes 4 hours to charge but it lasts for 30 days between charges. It comes with adapters so it can easily be charged via a power adapter, computer, car charger etc. The best part is, I’m not even kidding when I say that I love to use it. It is so simple for me to brush and now floss my teeth 2 to 3 times a day- my mouth hasn’t been this happy in a long time.
As For Toothpaste…
You’re probably thinking, “Okay, that’s great but what about toothpaste?!”. When it comes to toothpaste, I highly recommend speaking to your dentist about what they recommend.
While I am going through my dental treatments and taking things one step at a time, I have yet to be told that I should use a specific brand/type. I promise to update this post if a specific recommendation is given. At this point, I would simply say, “Brushing with any form of toothpaste is better than not brushing at all.” Although, there is an article by NBC News about the 11 best toothpastes for healthy teeth in 2023 that may offer some useful insight which can be read here.
Until next time, happy brushing and flossing, friends!
Related:
Home and Health Products Autumn 2022
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