Whenever I meet someone, I immediately notice two things…the color of their eyes and their smile. I remember my mother emphasizing how important taking care of my teeth was (and still is). To this day I still brush twice a day (and even at times after meals), floss once a day, and go to the dentist twice a year for check-ups and cleanings. I’ve never once had a cavity in my entire 30+ years of life. Some people would say that’s do to “good genes.” I like to think it’s due to good hygiene!
Oral health is very important and failure to care for your teeth and gums can result in health problems. But there is so much you can do, even now, to take care of your teeth. The first is to brush at least twice a day and after meals if you can. Last year I reviewed a handy little product called Wisp by Colgate. To this day I still carry them in my purse. You don’t need access to water to use this disposable mini toothbrush. One side is a mini brush filled with a freshening bead…the other side is a soft pick to get in and around teeth. Obviously you wouldn’t use this in place of regular brushing, but I really like it for when I’m out and about!
For regular brushing, Colgate just launched their new ActiFlex Toothbrush, which will help you achieve a “healthier, whole-mouth clean.” Here are some of the features that make this toothbrush unique (from the site):
- Flexible bridge that flexes from side to side as you brush to help bristles clean in and around teeth to remove plaque
- 360 degree bristles that fit your teeth
- Cheek and tongue cleaners which gently remove odor-causing bacteria from your cheek and gums
- Cone-shaped tufts along the sides help clean gums in and between teeth
According to the company, this brush was proven to remove 96% more bacteria than brushing with a standard toothbrush. I like the brush because I feel like I can get in between my teeth really well. I wore braces for many years, so there aren’t a lot of gaps in between my teeth. And for that reason it’s important for me to brush well in between those teeth where plaque can build. The ActiFlex Toothbrush retails for $3.99.
Because I wore braces for a long time as a child, my teeth aren’t as white as I’d like them to be. I’ve tried over-the-counter whitening systems, but I never end up finishing the pack because my teeth tend to be sensitive to them. I’d rather use a whitening toothpaste on a regular basis and achieve results over a period of time. Colgate now offers their new Total Advanced Whitening Toothpaste, designed to help you whiten teeth and maintain healthy teeth and gums. The toothpaste combines their 12 hour germ-fighting formula of Colgate Total with an advanced whitening silica system that helps remove surface stains. The ADA has approved this toothpaste as an effective way to prevent plaque, gingivitis, tartar build-up, cavities, and bad breath. I haven’t been using this long (maybe a week or so) enough to make a statement about it’s effectiveness. However, I like how it cleans my teeth and freshens my breath without having to deal with any sensitivity discomfort. I also like that it works against germs for 12 hours and it’s gentle enough to use daily. A 7.6 ounce tube retails for $4.29.
If you have children, I highly encourage you to start early when it comes to oral health. My son actually enjoys and looks forward to brushing his teeth before bed. We’re even teaching him how to “spit” the toothpaste out (and it’s going well!). We make it fun for him by getting him character-themed toothbrushes and toothpaste and give him some control by letting him brush his own teeth. We always follow up at the end but we’ve never once had a problem brushing his teeth because we started when that first tooth erupted. I’m certain that an early start has paved the way for a life-long habit and I sincerely hope that he continues these habits as he gets older. Colgate makes brushing fun with their Kids Oral Care line. Their toothbrushes and toothpastes feature characters like Dora, Diego and Spongebob. Colgate offers products for children 2-5, 5-8, and 8-12. The toothpaste my son received is a mild-flavored Bubble Fruit, and the hardest part about using it is getting him to spit it out! We just use a tiny bit because we are still working on getting him to completely spit the toothpaste out. The character-themed toothbrushes are small enough for even my 2 1/2 year old’s hands and feature a very soft, oval shaped brush head to protect his gums. My favorite product is the Battery-Powered Toothbrushes. I actually think that as kids get older (and more independent) these work well for ensuring that their teeth are thoroughly brushed. They’re disposable and utilize 2 AA batteries. You can purchase them for $5.99.
What tips do you have on keeping you and your children’s teeth clean and healthy?
I did not receive compensation for this post. I did receive products, courtesy of the company, in order to facilitate my review.
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So I read this review last night! My kinder came home from school with a sample tube (expired 11/09), a coupon (expired 12/08) and a toothbrush!
Hubby and I already use total, and love it! Now that they carry a kids version! I’m SOOOOOOO getting it when I’m out next for kids paste…which will be this week!
Wisps are pretty cool. One thing to keep in mind though: you don’t have to have water, but you do need to be able to spit, so keep that in mind when deciding where to use it.