8 Products That Make Taking Care of Your Teeth Feel Less Tedious (2024)

Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

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.”

Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

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!”

Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

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.”

Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

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.”

Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

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.”

Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

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.”

Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

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.”

Courtesy of brand / Amanda K Bailey

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.”