What are the best dental cleaning products?
Jessica Levco
December 4, 2024
Dental products to keep your teeth clean and healthy
Brushing your teeth is a key part of your dental care. To maintain a healthy mouth and smile, the American Dental Association (ADA) advises that you follow these tips:
Brush twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
Use a fluoride toothpaste that carries the ADA Seal.
We know you have a lot of choices when it comes to toothpaste. One way to narrow your selection is to search for one brand that fits your needs. For example, you might be familiar with the brand Sensodyne.
Since 1961, Sensodyne has created a variety of toothpaste products specifically designed to help people overcome tooth sensitivity pain.
Sensodyne: Offers several kinds of toothpaste to help overcome tooth sensitivity pain while providing cavity protection and breath freshening benefits.
Pronamel: Offers toothpaste and mouthwash with an optimized fluoride formulation to strengthen weakened enamel.
Parodontax: Offers toothpaste and mouthwash formulated to help stop bleeding gums.
Let’s take a look at some more factors to consider when you’re shopping for dental products.
Toothpaste recommended by dentists
When you’re shopping for dental cleaning products, check the product packaging for the ADA Seal. This indicates that the product meets the ADA's standards for safety and effectiveness. You’ll find the ADA Seal on fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, oral irrigators, mouth rinses and other oral care products.
It’s best to ask your dentist for recommendations about your personalized care, but always look for a fluoride toothpaste, ADA dentist Dr. Kim Harms says.
“It’s important to talk to your dentist to make sure you don’t have any special conditions such as sensitive teeth or gum diseases that may require a certain type of toothpaste,” she says.
Why fluoride matters
Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter, Cleveland Clinic says. But what does it do?
Every day, the enamel (the hard outer layer of your teeth) loses and gains minerals. Minerals are lost when acids from bacteria, plaque and sugars in your mouth attack the enamel. This is called demineralization. Minerals are replaced, like fluoride, calcium and phosphate, when you eat or drink foods and water that contain them. This is called remineralization.
Tooth decay happens when demineralization occurs more than remineralization.
Fluoride toothpaste protects your teeth by making enamel stronger against acid attacks and can even help fix early signs of decay. It’s the ideal toothpaste for tooth decay and cavities.
Different toothpaste ingredients
We’ve covered fluoride. Now let’s look at the types of toothpaste — gel, paste or powder. While the ingredients may vary, they all include these basic components:
Mild abrasives: These work with your toothbrush to remove food particles and surface stains.
Humectants: This keeps the toothpaste moist.
Flavoring agents: These give toothpaste its sweet taste and fresh minty scent. They don’t contain sugar, so they don’t cause cavities.
Thickening agents: These help hold the toothpaste formula together.
Detergent: This creates a foamy texture that helps spread the toothpaste and clean your teeth effectively.
What’s on store shelves?
Your local store has all sorts of products promising different things. So now, we can consider our goals: freshening, plaque control or whitening.
If you’re looking for refreshing tooth paste, you’ll likely want something minty and your search might be a taste-testing experiment. Good news: Sensodyne has several options that freshen your breath and protect against cavities.
Your mouth is home to many types of bacteria. When bacteria stick to your teeth for too long, it creates a thin layer called plaque. If plaque isn’t removed, the acid from the bacteria can damage your tooth enamel, causing cavities, according to Sensodyne. Toothpaste for plaque can help you remove the tartar between dental cleanings.
There also are whitening tooth paste products and methods, like gels, trays, and strips, and the results can vary depending on the type and how bad the stains on your teeth are, Sensodyne says.
Why routine cleanings matter
Just like everyone’s smile is different, so is everyone’s oral health. Some people may only need to see the dentist every six months, but others may require more frequent visits, the ADA advises. The rule of thumb is to see your dental professional every six months for your routine cleanings, the ADA says.
Using ADA-recommended dental cleaning products helps to extend the care between your routine visits. Care at home is an important contributor to oral health and can help lessen the need for expensive dental intervention, the ADA says.
Remember, just like brushing is important, so are regular dental cleanings. You can search dental cleaning near me to locate options in your area.
We know that seeing a dentist twice a month can be costly. At Altogether Dental, we’re dedicated to making sure people get the care they need. That’s why we make our membership pricing affordable for everyone.
For example, the average cost for a standard dental cleaning is $130. But Altogether Dental members typically pay $69 — representing a 47% discount.
As an Altogether Dental member, here are a few benefits you’ll enjoy:
Lower costs: With Altogether Dental, you’ll enjoy discounts of 15-50% on all dental procedures — everything from cleanings, fillings, orthodontia, dentures and more.
No waiting periods: Discounts are made available immediately upon enrollment.
No annual maximums: There are no annual limits on the amount of discounts you can receive.
Flexibility: Our partnership with Aetna gives you access to 260,000+ choices of in-network general and specialty care dentists.
