Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
5 Ways We Keep Our Smiles White and Healthy
Not everyone was born with the same genetics or teeth. While I am aware of this, every human should work to keep the teeth they were born with and I know so many dentists and patients with painful teeth issues that would agree. If you are struggling with a tooth care routine, here is mine. It’s kept my smile white and healthy for over 40 years so far, and I think it could help you too. I included my husband’s loves too, as his needs differ than mine. Read on.
Why I know my routine is effective: I’m currently in my 40’s with only one cavity so I know I’m doing something right! AND, my routine has helped my husband get no more cavities too!
Teeth Humor
If you watched the show Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, you’ll like this 30 second song by the character Titus about your teeth being “outside bones” is hilarious and fitting for this article. See it via YouTube below along with my own humorous take on my whole teeth care routine via my channel @carolynjbraden:
My Oral B iO Series 5 Toothbrush
1- Our Toothbrush (es)
The first thing I do every morning is brush my teeth. It’s a struggle for many to remember to do this, however it’s necessary. Overnight, bacteria become active due to saliva production slowing down. Read more about oral hygiene on the Mayo Clinic’s website.
I’ve used a Sonicare toothbrush for many years and even my dentists noticed when I first started using it. It cleans extremely well in exactly 2 minutes. I also brush my teeth at night before bed but AFTER eating any snacks. If I eat (or drink anything other than water) after brushing, I brush again so no food bacteria penetrates my teeth or gums.
Some things we use for good oral hygiene
The rechargeable Sonicare lasts for a while, however, the button has had design issues, meaning I’ve had two that have disintegrated. However, the brand does hold to the warranty and have replaced two of mine for free. I do think the brush heads are a bit pricey, but with me not having any cavities since using it, the price is worth it over having to get my teeth drilled into.
Sonicare 4100
I brush 2 times a day or more as needed
I was given an Oral-B iO Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, Series 5 via Influenster in 2025, and I like it too. It has lots of functions, such as a sensitive tooth setting, a regular and a lighter speed setting, a tooth whitening setting and is very effective. The first time I used it, I put it on the tooth whitening speed and that was too rough on my gums. If you get this toothbrush, start out slow. However, my teeth feel VERY clean after using it.
The only reason I may not switch to this one full time is because of the charging factor. Once it flashes red, that’s it. You have to charge it and may lose out on one electric brushing and have to do it the “old fashioned way”, lol! I also don’t like how it doesn’t turn off after 2 minutes. Some may not mind having to count the buzzes (it buzzes once, twice, three times, four times to mark 2 minutes, then starts the cycle over unless you turn it off).
I like the light up sensor pressure to tell me to not press so hard. I also like it’s rainbow colors when I turn it off after a full cycle. It’s like a light show party reward for brushing my teeth for 2 minutes.
I like the travel case it came with, but I don’t like that I have to take the head off to store it. I also wish the toothbrush head came with a cap like my Sonicare has. The cap isn’t necessary; it just keeps the head, in my opinion, dust free. I do like this toothbrush, and my husband is actually liking it more than the Sonicare right now. He has bigger teeth than I, so I think the bigger and circular brush head vs. the skinnier Sonicare brush head, works better for larger teeth.
Oral-B iO Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
$119.99, Target (Use your Target Circle Card for 5% off or your Target Circle 360 Membership for free same day delivery and more)
I love my electric toothbrushes
Oral Hygiene Routine Idea
My husband struggled to remember to brush his teeth in the morning, but when we started him on a routine that had us leaving his brush and toothpaste out every night (among his sunscreen, mouthwash and more) in a caddy next to the sink, it helped him remember and now he does a great job every day, morning and night.
Best non sweet toothpaste and mouthwash
2- Our Toothpaste
I’ve used Toms of Maine Luminous White toothpaste (Amazon) for many years. I was tired of the sweetness of most toothpastes, but this one is not sweet. It’s lightly mint, keeps my naturally white teeth white and is cruelty free. My husband has sensitive teeth, so he uses Sensodyne Clinical White and really thinks it’s effective.
I use a threader to help floss around my permanent retainer
3- Our Dental Floss
I prefer cruelty free and PET FRIENDLY Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss. I say it’s pet friendly because some flosses have ingredients that can harm pets. You also need to make sure you throw it away in a lidded can or a tall garbage can because cats like to play with it. I use my floss every night and when you do this YOUR DENTIST KNOWS. If your gums bleed at the dentist and yet you tell them you are flossing but you aren’t, the blood will let them know you aren’t being truthful. I’ve spoken to them about this! So, just floss already!
I have a permanent retainer on my bottom teeth, so I use a threader to help floss around that. My husband likes a Waterpik style flosser after it was recommended by his dentist. He uses it nightly.
4- Our Mouth Wash
My sweet former dental hygienist recommended Therabreath (Get it on Amazon and most grocery stores) to me years ago and I love it. It doesn’t burn, is not sweet and is effective. I get the light green bottles as I’ve tried other varieties and liked this one best. It helped wash away bacteria that I actually smelled on my dental floss after flossing and brushing! When I told my hygienist this, she recommended the mouthwash and it worked to remove the smells.
My husband likes Listerine. He has had some gum issues due to not going to the dentist in college (read about that below) and due to genetics, and good ol’ Listerine helps with this. He likes the mild tasting Cool Mint variety.
In my 40’s with only one cavity means I’m doing something right!
5- Go to the Dentist Twice a Year + Bonus Tips
Ever since I was a kid, I went to the dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning. I highly recommend you make this effort. Even if you don’t have insurance, you can still afford it. When I met my husband, he had not been to the dentist in a long time, and when I got him to go, he had 17 cavities.
My husband learned from his dentist that he could have paid cash in a lower fee IF he had told the dentist he couldn’t afford the twice a year cleanings when he was in college. Now he knows and now he takes better care of his teeth with dentist cleanings, at home care and more.
Bonus- Whitening
I use whitening strips twice a year at home and I like these from Crest. However, I am noticing my teeth not getting as white as they used to, so I am considering investing in a professional whitening treatment in the future at my dentist office. My current dentist office has a tooth whitening special for $399, but you may be able to get it for less money depending on where you live. I tried the black charcoal powders for tooth whitening but I didn’t see much improvement. It was also very messy.
Bonus- Straw Drinking
To keep teeth free of coffee stains, drink through a straw like me. I like these stainless straws. Yes, straw drinking can supposedly cause wrinkles (see this MD expert researched article via Allure), but that’s going to happen no matter what I do due to age, so I’d rather have healthy teeth than worry about a wrinkle around my mouth. Besides, if you smoke, you already have those wrinkles probably. Which brings me to my next bonus tip.
Bonus- Stop Smoking
Stop smoking and/or using tobacco products. I figured it was worth saying, though most humans know what smoking does to your teeth, lungs and overall health. I can’t make you stop, but if you aren’t liking the way your teeth look or how your health is going, you may need to make that decision to stop smoking.
Bonus- Drink Water
Drinking water after eating washes away some bacteria and just drinking it in general keeps your body hydrated and hydration equals less bacteria in your mouth. Drinking more water overall helps your health and you can read about that here from the American Diabetes Association.
What do you like to do to keep your teeth healthy? Let us know in the comments below.
If you liked this article, we know you’ll like this one too: How to Make Your Clothes Fit Better With a $5 Cincher
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.