16 editor-loved oral care products that will make your dental routine feel like less of a chore

DrTung’s Smart Floss

Years ago, my dentist recommended a fancy electric toothbrush and high-quality floss after I had to get a deep cleaning. Because I was a broke college student at the time, anxiety flashed across my face, and she must have been able to tell, because she quickly showed me a cheaper toothbrush and this smart floss. It isn’t as expensive as some other boutique flosses, but it still has that flexible, soft feeling so flossing doesn’t feel painful. It’s so comfortable to use, I actually started flossing again. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor

Opalescence Go Starter Kit

“I’ve loved using these prefilled whitening trays throughout the past few months of wedding season. They feel gentle on my sensitive teeth, noticeably whiten and brighten after just one use and don’t have a weird flavor that makes treatments unbearable. I use the whitening toothpaste daily to maintain my pearly whites.” — Summer Cartwright, health and fitness editor

Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser

It happened to me: A dental hygienist said I needed a water flosser. So, I did my research with our guide on the best water flossers (and every user review I could find) and realized I wanted the Aquarius. Now, using the Aquarius twice daily, I’m incredibly relieved to have it, because I’ve seen how many tiny pieces of blueberry it dislodges from my mouth as they fall into the sink. While the Aquarius is a little loud, and some say jets can feel a little harsh, I don’t mind either, as I found it on sale for less than the Waterpik Ion. — Henry T. Casey, tech writer

TheraBreath Anticavity Fluoride Oral Rinse, 2-Pack

TheraBreath’s colorful packaging honestly deterred me from trying it for a long time. I always thought the bright colors were correlated to wild, fruity flavors, but upon closer inspection — and seeing how highly rated it is — I realized I was wrong and finally picked up a bottle of the Sparkle Mint Anticavity rinse. I was instantly impressed. I love how refreshing it leaves my mouth without the sting that comes with other mouthwashes. Still, the bottle is an offense to my eyes and bathroom shelf, so I always decant it into a sleek glass bottle instead. — Sophie Shaw, fashion and beauty editor

Philips Sonicare Next-Gen DiamondClean 9900 Prestige Electric Toothbrush

“I’ve been testing this toothbrush as a contender for consideration for the 2027 CNN Innovation Awards, and it’s wowed me. From the AI-powered cleaning analysis to the in-app guided cleaning options, this toothbrush does it all — aside from holding your toothbrush for you. I’ve used it twice daily for more than a month now, and my teeth are cleaner, stubborn plaque has disappeared and my breath is fresh as can be. It revamped my oral care routine.” — Summer Cartwright, health and fitness editor

Boka Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste in Bold Mint

Boka recently dropped a new flavor — Bold Mint — to its fluoride-free toothpaste lineup, and its strong minty flavor is just what I expected from the name. It’s formulated with a blend of peppermint, wintergreen and anise that leaves my mouth feeling and smelling fresh post-brushing. If you prefer a subtler mint taste, you’ll probably enjoy the brand’s Ela Mint-flavored toothpaste more. — Rachel Dennis, associate lifestyle editor

Cocolab Cocofloss Woven Dental Floss

Becausd my dentist recommended this floss to me, it’s been a total game changer. I have gum recession, and the thicker strand of Cocolab’s floss is better at cleaning deep around my teeth. It’s been far more effective than traditional drugstore floss or floss picks that leave behind stuck food particles. It comes in a cute transparent package with guides on the back that’ll show how long you have left until you need to stock up on another one. — Jacqueline Saguin, deals editor

Euthymol Purple Whitening Toothpaste

I’ve talked about my love for Euthymol’s super-minty toothpaste before, and I’m currently on my second tube of the purple version this year. The purple tint helps immediately brighten teeth and cancel out yellowness, while fluoride strengthens enamel and promotes a healthier mouth. My only gripe is that the stiff aluminum tube is difficult to squeeze without a tube key, but that’s an easy thing to buy. — Sophie Shaw, fashion and beauty editor

SmartMouth Clinical Mouthwash

After looking into the best mouthwashes to combat morning breath, I came across SmartMouth’s line of dental rinses. I’m currently using the brand’s Clinical Zinc Activated Mouthwash, which uses patented Smart-Zinc technology to prevent bad breath, and I always notice a difference in how fresh my mouth feels when I use it versus when I don’t. I also recommend trying the brand’s original mouthwash formula, which works just as well, and picking up the individual travel packs (I like to slip them into my toiletry case and work bag). — Rachel Dennis, associate lifestyle editor

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Boka Whitening Toothpaste in Refresh Mint

I learned about hydroxyapatite toothpaste a few years ago and have tried a few different types along the way. Boka has always remained a favorite, and it’s a super-popular choice, as its most popular flavors tend to sell out. I especially like its whitening toothpaste because I need help in that department. It’s just as minty, fresh and beneficial to my enamel, with natural ingredients such as baking soda and coconut oil. — Sophie Shaw, fashion and beauty editor

Grin Softstx Dental Picks

I’m a stickler for flossing my teeth, even on the go. I love that these soft dental picks come with a carrying case and have two ends with bristles and a firm toothpick. — Lindsey Smith, newsletter editor

DenTek Orabrush Tongue Cleaners, 2-Pack

When I found out the surface of the tongue can be a major culprit for bad breath, I jumped on the tongue scraper train. I’ve been using one of these Orabrush cleaners for almost a decade. The long handle is comfortable to hold and makes it easy to reach all the way to the back of the tongue, while the large soft-bristled head can grab all the gunk from my tongue in just a few swipes. It’s a step in my oral hygiene routine I find equal parts disgusting and satisfying. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor

Flaus Electric Flosser Starter Kit

While I mostly rely on Cocolab for on-the-go flossing emergencies, Flaus is my dental BFF for at-home flossing. This easy-to-use electric flosser is beloved by multiple CNN Underscored editors because it takes the hassle out of reaching your back molars, and it’s easy to use even when I’m exhausted at the end of the day. — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor

Zima Dental Pod

This ultrasonic cleaner is a must for anyone who uses a retainer, night guard or similar accessory. The pod uses high-frequency ultrasonic waves to gently remove stains and buildup from dental devices, leaving them clean and sanitized. I like to couple it with the Retainer Brite tablets for the most thorough cleansing. Before I got this device, I had a cheaper alternative, but it was twice as loud and not as nice-looking, so I didn’t like keeping it on my counter. With Zima’s inconspicuous design, it’s always out and ready to cleanse my night guard. — Sophie Shaw, fashion and beauty editor

Quip Ultra Next-Generation Smart Sonic Toothbrush

This smart toothbrush has actually helped me build better brushing habits, and I love that it works with or without connecting to an app. The one feature I didn’t even know I needed is the pressure sensor, which tells me when I’m brushing too hard. It also has a sleek, seamless design and a replaceable brush head that’s specially designed to minimize waste, making it an all-around attractive toothbrush. — Sophie Shaw, fashion and beauty editor

Smart Life Dual Tongue Scraper

Oral care doesn’t stop at your teeth; cleaning your tongue and cheeks can impact your breath, and a tongue scraper makes a huge difference. This one is made from medical-grade stainless steel and is easy to use and clean. — Lindsey Smith, newsletter editor

Tamara Kraus is the senior lifestyle editor for CNN Underscored based in NYC. She oversees Underscored’s lifestyle vertical, including fashion, beauty, home, gift guide and health and fitness content. In her free time, she’s dancing at 305 Fitness, at Rumble boxing it out or hanging with her cats.

Rachel Dennis is an associate lifestyle editor at CNN Underscored. She oversees the site’s celebrity column, The Essentials, and contributes to lifestyle coverage through roundups and one-off reviews. You can find her watching Lifetime movies, brushing up on her music skills or playing video games.

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