What are the best dental products for consumers in 2023?
In this article, our Lincoln, NE dentist, talks about the latest dental products and will answer the following CAQs:
✔ Is activated charcoal toothpaste good for your teeth?
✔ Which electric toothbrush is the best to use?
✔ Should I be using a water pick instead of flossing?
✔ What is the best whitening toothpaste to get fast whitening results?
✔ How effective is Invisalign®?
✔ What is the best toothpaste for bleeding gums in adults?
✔ Which mouthwash is the best?
✔ Should I use SmileDirectClub™ for braces at home?
✔ What is the best whitening system on the market?
Available Dental Products for Consumers in 2023
Dental Products for Consumers
Teeth Whitening Kit
If the person you are shopping for is interested in improving the appearance of their teeth, a teeth whitening kit could be a great gift. There are many options available, including at-home kits and professional whitening treatments.
Dental Products for Consumers
Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush can be more effective at removing plaque and preventing gum disease than a manual toothbrush. Many options are available, including models with different brush head options and additional features such as timers and pressure sensors.
Dental Products for Consumers
Water Flosser
A water flosser can help to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and along the gum line and is an excellent alternative to traditional flossing for those who have difficulty using traditional dental floss.
Dental Products for Consumers
Toothpaste and Mouthwash
High-quality toothpaste and mouthwash can help to keep the teeth and gums healthy and make for a practical and useful gift. Many options are available, including natural and specialty products for specific dental concerns.
Dental Products for Consumers
Mouthguard
A mouthguard can be a useful accessory for anyone who engages in sports or other activities that could potentially cause dental injuries or for anyone who suffers from teeth grinding. There are many options available, including custom-fitted mouthguards and over-the-counter options.
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See additional dental products recommended by our dentists in Lincoln, NE.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Products for Consumers
Whitening Toothpaste:
✔ Which toothpaste will work the best for fast teeth whitening results?
Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:
This answer will surprise you!
The answer is…NONE.
Marketing and colors appear to make Optic White® the best choice, but it is not the best. Actually, none of these kinds of toothpaste are the best.
They all have the same active ingredient: Sodium Monofluorophosphate (0.76% (0.13% w/v Fluoride Ion)). This ingredient is meant to help diminish the demineralization of tooth enamel and enhance the remineralization of potential weak spots, strengthening the enamel.
And not an active ingredient but rather an added ingredient is 1% hydrogen peroxide concentration. An important note is that 1% is too weak to make significant changes. To see a noticeable change in color, it’s a good idea to consider professional teeth whitening.
Our dentists in Lincoln, NE use Opalescence® teeth whitening products and offer in-office professional teeth whitening at their Lincoln dental clinics.
Electric vs. Manual Toothbrushes:
✔ Which electric toothbrush is the best to use?
✔ Are electric toothbrushes actually better?
Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:
There is a huge selection of dental products for consumers when it comes to electric toothbrushes. So, “what are some of the best electric toothbrushes?”
After almost hours of research, interviewing experts, evaluating nearly every model available, and testing many toothbrushes ourselves in hundreds of trials at the bathroom sink, we’ve found that Oral-B® has the best electric toothbrush for most people. It has the fewest “fancy” features of the models we tested. Still, it does have the most important things that experts recommend—a built-in two-minute timer and access to one of the most extensive and affordable lines of replaceable toothbrush heads available—for the lowest price.
✔ Is it better to use an electric toothbrush instead of a manual toothbrush?
Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:
A review of studies showed that, in general, electric toothbrushes do decrease more plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. After three months of use, plaque was reduced by 21% and gingivitis by 11%. Oscillating (rotating) toothbrushes seem to work better than just vibrating toothbrushes.
It’s possible, however, to brush your teeth effectively with a manual toothbrush. An electric toothbrush can be a great alternative to a manual toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to brush well.
Water Flossers:
✔ Should I be using a Waterpik® instead of flossing?
✔ Is it better to use a Waterpik® toothbrush to prevent cavities?
Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:
Can I use a Waterpik® instead of flossing? A Waterpik® sure helps remove plaque in general, but using a Waterpik® does not effectively clean between teeth, ultimately leading to the development of cavities. Besides being the only way, flossing is the best way to prevent cavities between teeth.
Cons of Using a Waterpik®:
Floss hugs the tooth and scrapes plaque away, which helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis. A Waterpik® only rinses plaque and, therefore, is not a substitute for flossing.
When it comes to dental products for consumers, a Waterpik® isn’t generally a top choice. If a Waterpik® is used in combination with traditional flossing, however, it can be beneficial. Also, if a patient is in full orthodontic gear, or they are older and have lost dexterity, then it can be better than not flossing all – as dental health in the elderly is also crucial in helping maintain an excellent quality of life.
Invisible Braces At Home:
(SmileDirectClub™)
✔ Is SmileDirectClub™ Safe?
Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:
SmileDirectClub™ offers dental products for consumers and makes claims to straighten teeth without seeing an orthodontist. Generally, it is a good idea for patients to see an actual orthodontist so that orthodontic treatment can be appropriately evaluated and monitored throughout the entire process.
(Invisalign®)
✔ How effective is Invisalign® treatment?
Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:
Is Invisalign® treatment is effective? YES! Worldwide there have been millions of people that have been effectively treated with Invisalign®. Invisalign® can do many of the same things as traditional braces, however, for some, Invisalign might not be the best option.
If you are looking for “clear braces,” our team at Nebraska Family Dentistry offers Invisalign® in Lincoln, NE. Schedule a consultation today to learn if Invisalign® is right for you.
Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaners:
✔ CleanOral™ Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaner: Do ultrasonic teeth cleaners work?
Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:
Research has shown that ultrasonic scaling instruments are as effective as manual scalers when removing tartar from tooth surfaces, including from within shallow gum pockets. However, where ultrasonic instruments shine is in clearing deposits from deeper pockets (especially during your professional dental cleanings at your dentist’s office). An ultrasonic scaler allows hygienists to thoroughly remove calculus from teeth in a very gentle way, producing little or no damage to teeth and their roots, which is critical.
Benefits of using ultrasonic teeth cleaners include:
Effectively removes dental plaque, dental calculus, and stains. Removes hard tartar easily from teeth preventing gum disease.
Using CleanOral™ in conjunction with your current dental care routine will decrease bacteria levels in the mouth, resulting in fresher breath.
Ultrasonic teeth cleaners have high-frequency vibration, which helps remove calculus. In addition, ultrasonic teeth cleaners can remove trace amounts of or contaminates even those that are hiding in crevices.
Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
& Whitening Powder:
✔ Is it safe to brush your teeth with activated charcoal?
✔ Is activated charcoal toothpaste good for your teeth?
Your Lincoln, NE dentist answers:
It’s common for patients to ask about dental products for consumers, which can include using items like charcoal toothpaste or powder. The charcoal toothpaste is no different than if a patient used whitening toothpaste as it only removes surface stains due to its abrasive property but doesn’t whiten the tooth structure. Even though there aren’t any tremendous dental concerns when using this product, there are some cons. It can leave residue along the gum line, especially if the patient doesn’t have excellent home care.
Also, the charcoal can settle along gum lines. In the end, the abrasive property can be harmful to areas of recession/exposed root structure, and it could even cause more sensitivity. At Nebraska Family Dentistry, we are always sure to stay up-to-date with the latest products to know what might work well for our patients.
Take Home Message About…
Dental Products For Consumers in 2023
Do not get misled by marketing, attractive colors, and false promises – Especially when it comes to things such as whitening toothpaste or bulky, one-size-fits-all, over-the-counter whitening trays. As the saying goes, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
In Conclusion:
With many dental products to choose from, it can be challenging to decide which products are the best. In short, it is always an excellent idea to keep a strict home care routine to aid in the prevention of any dental diseases and help keep your teeth healthy. A good home care routine includes:
✔ Brushing twice per day.
✔ Flossing nightly before bed.
Some patients may need extra help in managing their dental health. Incorporating some of the latest products on the market can help when used in conjunction with a good daily home care routine. Dental health is an integral part of overall wellness.