Oral Care Awards 2023: The Top 17 Products for Optimal Dental Hygiene (2024)

Good oral care goes beyond achieving a bright smile and preventing cavities or tooth loss; it can also offer insight into your overall health. Beyond flashing your pearly whites, maintaining proper dental hygiene is pivotal to staving off various health issues. "The bacteria from your mouth can lead into your bloodstream, which can infect different parts of your body, “ said Irina Kessler, DDS, a dentist at New York Family Dental Arts, in New York City. “There is scientific evidence that supports [that] an unhealthy mouth has negative effects on the heart, brain, and blood vessels, which can increase your risk for developing disease.”

While brushing and flossing can help to control the bacteria in your mouth, regular checkups and dental cleanings are equally important. "If the mouth is constantly acidic and overpopulated by acid-loving, oral disease-causing bacteria, [it] will remain compromised," said Laura German Lawrence, DMD, director of dental services at Signature Health in Painesville, Ohio. "An oral hygiene routine must be closely followed that raises the pH of the mouth to a level that only the healthy ‘commensal’ bacteria can survive in, and allows demineralized tooth structure to remineralize with proper levels of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride."

Still, you want to ensure that when choosing products with the aforementioned ingredients, you administer them in the way that is most effective. If it’s a toothpaste you’re using, be sure to brush with it for at least two minutes, for example; this should appropriately removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from the surface of your teeth, said dental hygienist Rebecca Recchia, RDH, of New York Family Dental Arts: "The most common thing patients get wrong is spending an inadequate amount of time on brushing and flossing. When you brush for less than two minutes, you are almost certainly missing various particles and spots in your mouth."

To select our top picks, we enlisted the expert guidance of dental professionals who drew on their years of experience, the guidance they give their own patients, the products they personally use, and their knowledge of how to build an effective oral care regimen. We also conducted thorough research and editor testing, meticulously fact-checking our choices to ensure that they are of a high quality. Our aim is to help you maintain proper oral hygiene.

Here are the winners of Health's 2023 Oral Care Awards.

Toothpastes

Colgate Total Plaque Pro-Release

Plaque is the basis for most dental problems, so it is vital to ensure that it is regularly removed. Incorporating a daily brushing routine with a product like Colgate Total Plaque Pro Release can help. Its foaming action allows it to effectively eliminate the sticky film that hardens and contributes to gingivitis and decay.

Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint Toothpaste

Dr. Lawrence is a fan of Crest Pro-Health toothpaste. She underscored the significance of brushing your teeth before bed, noting that you produce less saliva as you sleep. If you skip that important step, "it gives the bad bacteria the perfect environment to create problems," she explained. And when used in the AM, this toothpaste's minty flavor combats morning breath.

Made By Dentist Total Care Toothpaste

Formulated with .24 percent fluoride, Made by Dentists Total Care Toothpaste is Dr. Kessler ‘s favorite way to keep cavities at bay. “It's refreshing, has no sulfates, and is not abrasive,” she said.

Cocofloss Cocoshine Toothpaste

You’ll find it easy to remove surface stains with Cocofloss Cocoshine Whitening Toothpaste. Its active ingredient, baking soda, acts as a mild abrasive, and the paste creates a shiny surface without the use of bleach. This non-GMO product also contains no sulfates, parabens, propylene glycol, triclosan, peroxide, artificial dyes, or artificial sweeteners.

Crest 3D White Brilliance

Recchia uses Crest 3D White Brilliance toothpaste. She recommends seeing a dental hygienist at least twice annually, too.: “You should add an extra visit or two each year if you have had past problems with dental decay or gum disease,” she noted.

Sensodyne Pronamel Active Shield Whitening Toothpaste

If you’ve ever experienced a jolt of nerve pain after consuming something hot or cold, Sensodyne's Pronamel Active Shield Whitening Toothpaste will offer relief. It coats your most sensitive zones, and makes eating easier. Sensitive teeth are commonly caused by gum recession or enamel erosion, and that can lead to exposed root surfaces. Discuss additional treatment options with your dentist: "Excessive gum recession can be repaired by moving the tissue of your palate and grafting it to the [problematic] area," said Dr. Kessler. This procedure, called genioplasty, is usually performed by a specialist.

The Original Tom's of Maine Sensitive + Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste

The Original Tom's of Maine Fluoride Free Sensitive + Whitening Fluoride Free toothpaste is formulated without animal ingredients, artificial fragrances, or preservatives. In addition to brushing with it, you can also apply it directly to sensitive areas for targeted relief.

Curaprox Travel Set

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or opting for a suitcase-free holiday, the Curaprox Travel Set is the ideal way to maintain an oral care routine on the go. Its compact design is similar to the size of a deck of cards; it includes a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and interdental brushes.

Dr. Plotka's Mouthwatchers

Get in deep between your teeth with Dr. Plotka's Mouth Watchers. Each bristled tip on this toothbrush measures just one micron—making it thinner than a human hair—which allows you to remove even the smallest pieces of debris from your gums.

Oral-B iO Series 10

Dr. Lawrence opts for an Oral-B iO electric toothbrush with a medium head. "Electric toothbrushes provide a superior clean,” she said, noting that the iO’s bristles do the job “without being overly aggressive.” A built-in sensor provides feedback on your brushing pressure, letting you know whether it's too hard or too soft, so that you can adjust the intensity accordingly.

Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige

Dr. Kessler emphasized the potential risks of overbrushing, which can include enamel abrasion, gum recession, and sensitivity. However, she noted that "electric toothbrushes guide you to proper brushing, so it's hard to ruin [your] teeth." That's the idea behind the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige, which lessens its intensity when you apply too much pressure. It also has long bristles for deep interdental cleaning. To customize your experience, connect the toothbrush to the brand's app.

Davids Professional Tongue Scraper

According to Dr. Lawrence, using a tongue scraper can "improve bad breath and taste, and reduce bacteria." A Davids Professional Tongue Scraper, crafted with medical-grade stainless steel, effortlessly removes debris from your tongue, leaving behind a refreshing, clean sensation.

Flosses

Cocofloss

Dr. Lawrence finds that waxed flosses feel more comfortable around the gums. She likes to use Cocofloss with coconut oil, citing its “antimicrobial benefits.”

GUM Eez-Thru Floss Threaders

If you have a Marilyn bridge, implants, or other dental work that makes it challenging to get between your teeth, GUM Eez-Thru Floss Threaders are a great option. As the name suggests, it’s a snap to floss with these: You simply use the nylon loop to thread floss through and around the spaces between your teeth, removing hard-to-reach plaque and debris.

Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 Professional

Dr. Kessler and Dr. Lawrence both recommend WaterPik flossers as a great alternative to traditional floss for cleaning difficult-to-reach areas in the mouth. The brand's Sonic-Fusion 2.0 Professional flossing toothbrush is equipped with an LED mode indicator and high/low settings for its two brush heads.

Up & Up Anticavity Alcohol-Free Fluoride Mint Mouthwash

Banish bad breath and skip the burn with Up & Up Anticavity Alcohol-Free Fluoride Mint Mouthwash. Its inclusion of fluoride aids in cavity protection while supporting enamel health.

Teeth Whiteners

Colgate Optic White ComfortFit LED Teeth Whitening Kit

Coffee, tea, and wine are known to stain your teeth. While your dentist can remove the discoloration, you might also consider OTC products such as the Colgate Optic White ComfortFit LED Teeth Whitening Kit. It takes just a thin layer of the included hydrogen peroxide-based serum and its LED device to get bright results.

Laura German Lawrence, DMD, director of dental services at Signature Health

Irina Kessler, DDS, a dentist at New York Family Dental Arts, in New York City

Rebecca Recchia, RDH a dental hygientist at New York Family Dental Arts