Your dentist and oral hygienist have probably said it often enough: brush and floss. Along with that, you might use a mouthwash or help keep your teeth clean between brushings by chewing some sugar-free gum. It doesn’t look like there’s much room for improvement does there? But new trends in oral care show that the market is ready for something new. From gadgets to products, these options are on the rise.
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Electric or Sonic Toothbrush Kits
While electric toothbrushes aren’t a particularly new idea, the way they’re presented and the extras that come with them are changing. The sonic toothbrush is also on the rise. Kits these days might include a range of extras including a sanitizing case and a scaler for getting rid of stubborn buildup. Whatever you choose, it’s worth remembering that electric and sonic toothbrushes do a better job of cleaning your teeth than the old-fashioned toothbrush.
Sustainable Toothbrushes
If you really want to use an old-style toothbrush, spare a thought for the environment. With plastic pollution awareness on the rise, makers are looking for good ways to brand their products as “sustainable.” While some use recycled plastics, others opt for natural materials. Bamboo brush handles and brush bristles made from castor bean oil (really) do exist. However, do be careful of going back to the roots of oral care with “tooth sticks.” There’s a reason why they fell into disuse – they don’t do a very good job!
Toothpaste Tablets
While these are still to hit most supermarket shelves, they could be the solution to another form of waste: empty toothpaste tubes. Apparently, they’re really hard to recycle, so they usually end up in landfills. The handy solution? Chew up a toothpaste tablet and get brushing! This solution could be a winner for frequent travelers too. It's compact and can’t make a mess of your luggage. Let’s hope to see these go mainstream very soon.
However, you needn’t think that the tube toothpaste guys aren’t working on the waste problem. Some of the big names are working on fully recyclable tubes, so in the end, it might all come down to what you prefer using rather than eco-guilt.
Water-Flossers
Hate fiddling with floss? It’s the main reason why a surprising amount of people don’t floss at all despite the urgings of their dentists. Maybe, spraying the gaps between your teeth clean with a very thin,high-pressure jet of water will do the trick for you instead. At least, that’s the theory behind water flossers which seem to be gaining popularity. But do they clean your teeth properly? Studies seem to show that they do – at least as well as regular floss can and without the risk of cutting your gums.
Purple Toothpastes and Mouthwashes
Actually whitening your teeth can mean breaking down tooth enamel to clear away stains. Apart from that, some people’s teeth are just naturally yellow, so whitening won’t make any difference to them. But it’s possible to make yellow teeth look whiter by using a purple dye. Of course, since this is your mouth, you’d better hope it's safe to use! However, some companies are making teeth whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes using a safe anionic dye.
Top Themes
Top themes behind the latest oral care products include sustainability, time-savings, more efficient oral hygiene, and of course, products that make for great-looking teeth. So, if you thought brushing and flossing were just that, keep an eye out for new innovations that take it to the next level. They’re sure to be coming thick and fast.
