SELF Healthy Beauty Awards: The 8 Best Oral Care Products of 2022

Health

Big smiles for these toothbrushes, flosses, and whitening treatments.

By Hannah Dylan Pasternak

July 19, 2022

Chelsea Kyle. Prop Stylist, Jocelyn Cabral.

When it comes to your beauty routine, you’re probably not thinking about your teeth. (Or maybe you are, and you’re 10 steps ahead of the game.) Either way, here’s the truth: Many of us care about how our teeth look and, even more so, how they feel—because when they’re less-than-healthy, it can leave us dealing with everything from aches and pains to an onslaught of potentially expensive in-office procedures. That being said, taking care of your teeth and mouth from a preventative standpoint is the best way to go.

So if you’ve got to brush at least twice a day and floss every evening, you may as well make it cute. For our 2022 SELF Healthy Beauty Awards, we’re thrilled to bring back our oral care category for the second year in a row. Here, you’ll find a plethora of what you need to stock your medicine cabinet, from actually effective at-home whitening treatments to the most refreshing of mouthwashes. To see the rest of our 2022 winners, go here. Otherwise, shop this year’s best oral care products below.

Reviews have been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

• Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

  Best Water Flosser: Burst Oral Care Water Flosser

  This water flosser received extremely high marks from our testers—water flossing newbies included. It’s cordless, which is great for traveling (if you’re so committed to your water flosser that you feel like you can’t spend a night without it), and it’s totally waterproof. In fact, Burst recommends you use it in the shower, which is both time-efficient and, perhaps, less messy.

  One tester said: “My first time water flossing—game changer!!! This product was user friendly, good looking, and effective for a first-timer. I especially like the fun purple and smiley product design—makes my bathroom extra cheerful. Only minimal complaint is that you’ll have to refill the water tank once to get every crevice in your mouth. However, I will definitely continue using this as part of my oral hygiene routine.”

  $70 $60 at Amazon

• Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

  Best Floss: Bite Dental Floss

  Plastic-free, refillable, and compostable, this is the floss of the future. Flossing is crucial for dental health, so if you’re going to use it—and use it often—we love the idea of minimizing some waste in the process. Bite’s floss is also nice and thin, so you can get deep into all those hard-to-reach places.

  Bonus points, per the experts: This floss is lubricated with vegan candelilla wax. Our expert dentists say that waxed floss helps you slide between small spaces in your teeth with more ease—thereby getting more food gunk out.

  One tester said: “The floss is very thready—I liked the thinness of it for flossing between tight contacts. The packaging is unique in that it comes in a small clear glass bottle, which is refillable and recyclable. They also provide a generous amount of floss for such a small bottle!”

  $12 at Bite Oral Care

• Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

  Best Mouthwash: Tend Tonic Mouth Rinse

  Mouthwash, but make it trendy—that’s what Tend seems to be going for in this new product. And by our standards they’re succeeding. At $28, this mouthwash is more expensive than what you might find in the drugstore aisle, but it comes in a reusable (and refillable!) glass “decanter,” so your refills (which arrive as small aluminum tins of concentrated mouthwash) net out at $8 each. With a sensitive-teeth-friendly formula and a slight-minty finish, this mouthwash just might be the push you need to add that extra step to your oral-care routine.

  Bonus points, per the experts: This mouthwash is alcohol-free, making it suitable for people with sensitive teeth and gums and more tolerable for people prone to dry mouth.

  One tester said: “This refillable tonic feels so innovative, like a fresh take on oral health. I love how sustainable it is, and how the concentrate was easy to put together and mix. Moreover, I appreciate that it swaps alcohol for xylitol to fight tooth decay and gum disease. While it isn’t as strong as mouth washes I’m used to, I would definitely continue to use Tend, and love how the brand prioritizes a gentle approach to dental hygiene.”

  $28 at Tend

• Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

  Best Overnight Whitening Treatment: Crest Whitening Emulsions + Overnight Freshness

  Tired of slimy strips slip-sliding in your mouth? Meet this Crest Whitening Emulsion. What’s an emulsion, you might ask? It’s a gel that you apply to teeth—and then leave it on. That’s right, no rinsing or spitting required here. This treatment is recommended for overnight use, and after just a few consistent uses, you may start to see results.

  Bonus points, per the experts: This at-home treatment contains hydrogen peroxide, which serves as the primary whitening agent.

  One tester said: “This is my first time using anything where you apply a paste to the teeth. The application process was extremely straightforward, and I was grateful there wasn’t any mess. After trying the product, I did not experience any sensitivity in my teeth or gums. I noticed slightly whiter teeth from a few applications. I would recommend this to folks who do not have sensitive teeth and are looking to try an easy at-home whitener.”

  $55 at Target

• Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

  Best Budget Electric Toothbrush: Hum by Colgate Smart Rhythm Sonic Toothbrush

  Smart toothbrushing just became a whole lot more accessible with Colgate’s Hum line, which you can shop at the drugstore. In particular, this battery-operated toothbrush is perfect for people who enjoy tracking their habits—as it comes with an app that helps you note how often you brush your teeth, and for how long you do—or for your teens or kids who need some incentive to make toothbrushing a more regular occurrence.

  One tester said: “This toothbrush is a cool concept—it has a timer and an app with games and strategies to help you brush your teeth better and longer. I think it’s a great travel toothbrush. If you needed help with making good toothbrushing a habit, it could be helpful too.”

  $70 $28 at Walmart

  $70 $30 at Amazon

  $70 at Target

Most Popular

• Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

  Best Luxury Electric Toothbrush: Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige

  An electric toothbrush will almost always be more effective than a manual toothbrush simply because of its ability to work at a number of revolutions per minute (rpm) that’s humanly impossible to achieve on one’s own. And while you don’t need the absolute nicest electric toothbrush on the market to get those benefits, investing in one that has all the bells and whistles might just convince you to stick to your brushing habits—and help improve the health of your teeth and gums along the way. The 9900 Prestige is top-of-the-line, with technology that responds to your brushing style (pressure, motion, and more) in real time, a portable charging case for easy travel, and access to an A.I.-powered app. If you’re all about your teeth, this brush is the way to go.

  One tester said: “My dental hygienist recommended I get an electric toothbrush that can go up to 7,500 rpm. But then I received the Philips Sonicare 9900, and wow—it averages up to 40,000 rpm! I And I can totally feel the difference. I use my new Philips Sonicare brush every morning and night, and without fail, I feel like I left the dentist’s chair after cleaning every morning. This is one powerful tool. My mouth always feels superclean, there’s less plaque buildup, and it will likely save me money in the long run. I love starting my day with it.”

  $380 $339 at Amazon

  $380 at Target

  $400 at Best Buy

• Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

  Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth: Natean Clean + Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste

  Many “natural” toothpastes are made without active ingredients that keep your teeth protected from decay. This one from Natean does not fall into that category: It contains potassium nitrate, which helps treat sensitivity, as well as fluoride, which strengthens teeth, combats sensitivity, and is also excellent for cavity-prone folks.

  Bonus points, per the experts: Free from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), this toothpaste is ideal for people who are prone to canker sores. It also includes fluoride, which helps with cavity prevention.

  One tester said: “The mint smells really good in this toothpaste. It goes on to my toothbrush nicely, and I like the way it makes my teeth feel after I use it. I definitely feel like my mouth is very clean afterwards.”

  $6 at Walmart

• Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

  Best Whitening Toothpaste: Colgate Optic White Pro Series Whitening Toothpaste

  Whitening toothpaste alone won’t give you the pearly whites of your dreams—but it will help you maintain a certain level of whiteness by cutting through food stains you might accrue throughout the day. This one from Colgate has the right ingredients to do the trick: It’s about as effective as a whitening toothpaste will get and comes at a pretty low price for a tube that will last you a while. Add to cart? We think it’s a no-brainer.

  Bonus points, per the experts: With a 5% concentration of hydrogen peroxide, this toothpaste has the chops to tackle your surface stains, according to our dental experts.

  One tester said: “This toothpaste made my teeth feel fresh-from-the-dentist clean. I also noticed them looking whiter when I used it consistently. Overall, it made my teeth feel and look good, which is all you can ask of a toothpaste, really.”

  $12 $10 at Amazon

Hannah Pasternak is SELF’s associate director of special projects. She joined the team in May 2018 and manages editorial tentpoles, challenges, awards, and shapes SELF’s content strategy and audience development. 

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

TopicsShoppingHealthy Beauty AwardsSELF Beauty Awardsoral healthoral hygiene

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Dental care at home

Carrying out daily oral hygiene is an important step, and no less important than dental treatment.

What do you need for good oral hygiene in daily care?

Daily dental care requires a standard set of products. Includes: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash. This is the bare minimum!

You can easily buy these products both in a pharmacy and in a regular supermarket or even a small shop. To date, all manufacturers simply can not be listed. The distribution network presents products of both famous world-class brands and inexpensive domestic products.

How to figure out which of them is better or worse? Especially on the shelves of large stores, you can simultaneously see dozens and even hundreds of different brushes, jars and tubes. Almost every manufacturer of these hygiene products invests heavily in advertising, and from the first glance at the advertising booklet you believe that this particular product can not only protect your teeth, but also give you a snow-white smile and fresh breath. Often we hear the phrase that a good product cannot be cheap and we buy the most expensive. But at the same time, there is an opinion that the products of famous brands are of great value, since significant funds are spent on brand promotion and expensive advertising campaigns. And why pay more if the domestic product meets all the requirements.

Toothpaste

For daily oral hygiene, if there is no indication for the use of medicated toothpaste, most people opt for “family” toothpastes. This paste is suitable for adults and children of senior school age (from 10-12 years old). As a rule, such pastes meet standard hygiene standards, do not cause allergic reactions, and are made with the addition of herbal extracts, as well as fluorine and calcium. Such toothpastes are a good prophylactic against various kinds of infections and caries.

If you have an increased sensitivity of your teeth, then in this case, a therapeutic toothpaste with a high fluoride content is used. If the gums bleed or become inflamed, then propolis toothpaste is perfect. And for whitening, there is a special whitening toothpaste, which includes special cleaning particles (abrasives).

Our clinic provides a wide range of services, including effective teeth whitening , price , which is available to almost everyone. See price list for all current prices.

Dental treatment Dnipro – follow the link and find out our prices!

In general, in each individual case, therapeutic toothpaste is selected individually for each patient. To do this, it is better to contact a specialist, as the doctor will professionally select the right toothpaste for you.

Mouthwashes

Mouthwash is as essential as toothpaste, brush or floss. This tool simultaneously solves a huge number of problems: freshens breath, prevents caries, reduces the formation of bacterial plaque, is a powerful tool in the fight against gingivitis, slows down the formation of plaque on the teeth and fights the formation of tartar.

Mouth rinses, like toothpastes, are divided into two groups: preventive and curative. Preventive are suitable for almost everyone, however, although they eliminate bad breath, they still do not completely solve the problem.

Medications for rinsing the mouth, as well as therapeutic toothpastes, are selected by specialists and prescribed for use for a certain period.

Choosing a toothbrush

Choosing the right toothbrush is not an easy task. If you have sensitive gums, then you need a softer toothbrush. In other cases, you can choose a brush with a bristle of medium and high hardness. For children, a toothbrush is selected based on the age of the child. If the independent choice was not crowned with success, then our experts will help you make the right choice!

You must remember! After use, the brush must be thoroughly rinsed, wiped dry and stored until the next use in a special case for toothbrushes or by putting on a special protective cap for a toothbrush.

Dental floss

Special dental floss (floss) is used to remove food debris in hard-to-reach places between teeth, between braces and bridges. They are made of a special material, very thin and durable, and also have a special impregnation with a pleasant refreshing smell.

How to take care of your teeth – rules for dental care

What is a healthy and beautiful smile? First of all, this is the attitude of the person himself to his health and beauty, and only then the work of a dentist. The oral cavity needs to be taken care of from childhood. How to properly care for your teeth?

Dental care rules

1. Brush your teeth properly. You need to brush your teeth at least 2 times a day, in the morning and in the evening before going to bed. You can brush your teeth both before and after meals. If you brush your teeth before eating, do it 15 minutes before eating so as not to spoil the taste with toothpaste, and rinse your mouth with water after breakfast. You can add half a teaspoon of baking soda to the water or replace the water with a mouthwash.

If you are a supporter of brushing your teeth after meals, this is also great, because this way you will be sure that food residues will be removed and you will not have to rinse your mouth. There is no right or wrong way. Choose the one that suits you. It doesn’t matter when you brush your teeth, it matters HOW YOU brush it.

2. Use dental floss. There is a huge selection of dental floss: round and flat, super floss, flavored, fluorine coated, etc. Of course, you make the choice yourself, but a dentist can help you with this. You need to floss once a day before going to bed, combined with subsequent brushing of your teeth. The movement of the thread is done only along the axis of the tooth.

3. Correct toothbrush. The toothbrush should have artificial bristles. The toothbrush head should be about 2-2.5 teeth in size. The hardness of the bristles is chosen by the dentist. If you do not know which brush to choose, it is better to take medium hardness. See also: How to choose a toothbrush?

4. The right toothpaste. There are a large number of toothpastes and each has its own function: – preventive; – containing medicinal additives; – whitening, etc. Only a dentist can say which one you personally need. However, despite this, not a single toothpaste will perform its function if professional teeth cleaning has not been carried out before, which allows you to eliminate plaque and tartar.

These are symptoms that cannot be treated at home. Remember that commercially available toothpaste supplies your teeth with up to 30% calcium and fluoride. Supplement calcium and fluorine, which are required by our body and teeth, from food containing these components (milk, kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, cheese, green tea, legumes, parsley, dill, cilantro)

See examples of our therapists’ work.

5. Brushing time. The average brushing time is 2-3 minutes. To clean the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth, following the rule “from red to white”, i.e. the direction of movement of the toothbrush should be from the gums to the top of the tooth. So food debris and bacteria will not be able to get into the gum pockets, while you prevent the development of putrefactive and inflammatory processes.

6. Cleaning the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Cleaning the inside of the cheeks and tongue is an important factor that eliminates microorganisms. If the toothbrush has an additional soft tissue cleaning function on the back side, then the surface of the cheeks is automatically cleaned during brushing.

The surface of the tongue can then be further cleaned. Tongue cleaning can be done with a toothbrush or tongue scraper. It is important to know that if there is a coating on the tongue, “bald patches” or other changes, cleaning the tongue should be postponed and see a dentist.

7. Use of rinse aids. Rinsers are different. What exactly do you need, – the dentist will tell you. But if there is no way to find out from the dentist, choose a prophylactic rinse. Rinses contain active substances in liquid form, which easily penetrate into hard-to-reach areas of the oral cavity (between teeth, at the junction of teeth and gums, etc.), kill bacteria and wash away plaque – the main cause of dental diseases (caries) and gums (gingivitis).

It can be used before and after cleaning the mouth. The rinse aid used before cleaning helps to soften plaque on the teeth, after cleaning – to fix the result.

Recommendations

1. Chewing gum. What gives chewing gum? It can also be attributed to the means of oral care. Of course, it is better to chew gum without sugar. The gum removes soft plaque and food debris, it also increases salivation, which further softens plaque and promotes the release of lysozyme (an antibacterial agent).

However, chewing gum for more than 7 minutes is not worth it! This time is enough for her to cope with the tasks and freshen her breath.

2. Hard objects. You should not spoil your teeth by trying to open beer caps, cracking nuts, biting off fishing line, etc. – this can only lead to injury to the tooth (cracks, chips)

3. Rinse your mouth with sugary drinks. You should not rinse your mouth with sugary drinks – this only contributes to the formation of caries. Also, do not rinse your mouth with coffee and alcoholic beverages. Coffee tends to stain teeth and fillings a darker color. Alcohol tends to dry out the mucous membrane, which can lead to pathological changes in the mucous membrane.

4. Combination of food temperatures. Don’t combine hot food with cold food at the same time. This leads to the formation of microcracks in the enamel and to the formation of caries

5. Only one brush. You can not use one toothbrush for several family members. The microflora of the oral cavity is different for each person and the transmission of cross-infection through the brush to another person can lead to adverse consequences. It is especially dangerous if the owner of the brush has a dangerous disease (hepatitis, AIDS, syphilis, etc.).

6. Bad breath. If you are worried about bad breath, but the oral cavity is in order, then you need to check the gastrointestinal tract, ENT organs, lungs. Raw fruits and vegetables can help you get rid of the smell. First, raw fruits and vegetables contribute to the mechanical cleaning of the teeth, tongue and mouth.

Secondly, they maintain an acidic environment in the mouth, which prevents the growth of putrefactive bacteria. Thirdly, these products contain natural antibiotics – phytoncides, which restore the normal microflora of the oral cavity.

7. Frequency of visits to the dentist. It is necessary to undergo an examination by a dentist once every six months.

Ultrasonic teeth cleaning: what is it?

8. Bad habits. Be sure to quit smoking or limit smoking if possible. The components present in tobacco smoke tend to worsen the color of teeth, and harmful substances contained in tobacco smoke cause vasoconstriction and, as a rule, disrupt blood circulation in the smoker’s mouth.

In addition, tobacco smoke contains harmful toxins that suppress the immune system, which leads to the development of harmful and putrefactive bacteria, and as a result, infectious and inflammatory processes occur in the oral cavity.

Child’s dental care

What could be better than a beautiful smile? It is necessary to take care of the oral cavity from an early age. Already at the age of two years, a mother should teach her baby to brush his teeth by giving him a soft baby brush.