The best toothpaste, mouthwash, floss and more — grab the top picks for dental hygiene

Type of product: Whitening toothpaste | Standout features: Whitens in two weeks

Our testers rank Colgate Optic White Pro Series not only the best whitening toothpaste but the one dentists highly recommended too. It contains hydrogen peroxide, which research shows is a more effective whitener than alternatives like baking soda. (Peroxide's foaming action can get to the areas between teeth that are typically hard to reach.)

While the whitening results are impressive — I noticed a significantly brighter smile in just three days, much faster than the promised two weeks — I found the 5% hydrogen peroxide content too potent for my sensitive gums. But don't worry: I tested 20 whitening toothpastes in total and found that Sensodyne Extra Whitening is a good alternative if you have sensitivity. 

If you don't have sensitive teeth or gums, this product is for sure your best option. As one 5-star Amazon reviewer shared: "This toothpaste is the best! It keeps my teeth feeling incredibly clean and noticeably whiter. The 5% hydrogen peroxide is both gentle and effective, providing a bright smile without any irritation. I’ve seen great results and love how fresh my mouth feels after every use."

Type of product: Tongue scraper | Standout features: 100% medical-grade stainless steel

I'd always brushed my tongue with my toothbrush, thinking that was enough. But after trying the MasterMedi stainless steel tongue scraper, I was shocked by how much debris it removed. Now, I'm a convert!

While research shows tongue scrapers and toothbrushes effectively reduce the volatile sulfur compounds (that stinky layer of bacteria) on your tongue, I got far better results using the MasterMedi. Plus, using a tongue scraper is way more satisfying.

I'm not the only one who loves the MasterMedi scraper. Orthodontist Erin Fraundorf, DMD, MSD, founder of BOCA Orthodontic + Whitening Studio recommends it to her patients. "It's one of my favorite smile-care tools and an absolute must in your oral hygiene ritual to help with bad breath!" she says.

Among more than 113,000 Amazon reviewers, the MasterMedi tongue scraper earned an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. One dental hygienist shared this review: "It's amazing and disgusting how much bacteria lurks in the deep trenches of the back of your tongue! This is a great, easy to use product that will leave your mouth so much cleaner!"

Type of product: String floss | Standout features: Waxed and shred-resistant

Reach waxed dental floss in mint has been my standby for over two decades. I've tried many other brands, both waxed and unwaxed, but this one is by far my favorite. Some "easy glide" waxed flosses are too slippery and don't grab onto the stuff between my teeth. On the other hand, Reach floss has enough wax to slide in easily but with enough texture to grab food particles and plaque. Plus, the price is hard to beat at about a buck per spool.

Orthodontist Randy Kunik says string floss is the gold standard for cleaning between your teeth. "It's highly effective at removing plaque and food particles from tight spaces and is recommended for daily use." If you're not a regular flosser, this one is a beginner-friendly option thanks to its easy grip, as this Amazon reviewer attests to.

Another Amazon reviewer (who's clearly as committed to the brand as I am) said, "I hope this product will stay around forever or for eternity. I had been using them for over 20 yrs and they are the only ones that get plaque out." One customer shared, "Tried many other brands, this is the BEST. Durable (does not start to break apart), easy to glide between teeth, and good price." 

Even so, not every customer left a positive review — some said the floss split and shredded (although that's never been my experience).

Cost: $10 per spool |Type of product: String floss | Standout features: Expands on contact with saliva

Biöm's Silk Dental Floss is coated with black seed oil and features a woven texture that works beautifully to remove trapped debris between teeth — even in a crowded mouth — making it our top pick for unwaxed floss. 

As an avid flosser myself, I can confidently say it's one of the best flosses I've used — on par with my beloved waxed floss, which says a lot. Unlike typical unwaxed flosses I've tested that feel like sewing thread (not pleasant!), Biöm's coating makes flossing remarkably comfortable. 

While this floss is priced higher than many dentist-recommended options — and its eucalyptus flavor may not appeal to everyone — I find the taste refreshing and worth the splurge.

If you're a luxe-lover who struggles with flossing, this rates considering. Your gums and teeth are worth it. Remember: Regularly flossing prevents plaque buildup, which is important because plaque that hardens turns into tartar that can lead to cavities and gum disease, says cosmetic dentist Michael Wei, DDS. And once you've got tartar, it can only be removed during a dental cleaning.

One Amazon customer with crowded teeth raved: "I really really like this thicker floss because it gets into everywhere I need it to and GRABS onto food stuck in between my teeth and under gums."

Type of product: Pick flosser | Standout features: Easy-to-use design

Not only are Plackers Micro Line Floss Picks our favorite; they're White's top pick as well. "Floss picks are great for helping remove plaque buildup between teeth and where teeth meet the gums," she says.

An Amazon reviewer who admittedly hates flossing wrote: "These make it so easy to floss … I recommend these for people who hate traditional flossing." Another happy customer shared: "The fresh mint flavor really stands out, leaving a nice taste and freshness in my mouth after each use. It's like having a mini mouthwash session each time I floss."

It's important to remember, however, that while floss picks are convenient, they may not clean as thoroughly in certain areas. "It's best to use them when you’re short on time or need something quick and easy," says Kunik.

But if it comes down to using a floss pick or not flossing at all, 100% use the pick. As White says, "I recommend any floss that you'll actually use. So if a floss pick functions best in your hands, I'm happy as a dentist."

Though I'm a traditional floss person, I see the pick perks after trying them out. They a nice option to keep stashed in the glove compartment, and my son, who hasn't quite mastered flossing yet, loves to use them, which is a big dental-health win!

Type of product: Floss mini brush | Standout features: Angled and soft-bristled

Interdental mini brushes are designed to help you clean between and along the sides of your teeth, no matter how tight or wide the space. Our No. 1 choice — GUM's Proxabrush Go-Between — features an angled shape that makes reaching those tricky molars surprisingly easy. Plus, the soft bristles deliver a thorough clean without irritating sensitive gums. A win-win for anyone who's struggled with other brushes. 

According to research, interdental cleaning tools are excellent for maintaining healthy gums and preventing disease, with these mini brushes working especially well for folks with gum disease or inflammation. 

"These are GREAT if you have gum problems," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "The design of it is what sets it apart. The angle makes them easier to reach back teeth. I have tried two other types of interstitial brushes … but this is the best one, by far." 

Another group who greatly benefits from interdental brushes? People with braces or other dental devices. As White explains, they make cleaning much easier in areas that are typically hard to reach with traditional flossing and brushing methods. (They're "great for cleaning under and around bridges," wrote an Amazon customer.)

Before buying, talk to your dentist. Interdental brushes aren't appropriate for everyone, including those with crowded teeth or large fillings.

Type of product: Mouthwash | Standout features: Alcohol-free

TheraBreath's Fresh Breath Oral Rinse earned its spot as our best mouthwash for a few reasons, including its lack of alcohol. This alcohol-free formula leaves breath fresh and clean without the drying or irritating effects that can occur with alcohol-based options. And I can attest: TheraBreath is definitely gentler than other rinses.

Another reason to go alcohol-free: Alcohol creates an acidic environment that not only encourages harmful bacteria to grow, it can eliminate beneficial bacteria, disrupting the balance of microflora that actually exacerbates bad breath, says Fraundorf. 

While some Walmart customers disliked the flavor and wrote that the rinse left an unpleasant aftertaste, the majority of reviewers gave positive feedback. One pleased customer shared: "Excellent product, does not contain alcohol, protects the sensitivity of my teeth, contributed to my oral post-operative period and did not hurt the surgery wounds."

Another raved: "There's no burning sensation, and the results are almost immediate—I can feel and see the difference right away. I recommend it to everyone I know. If you're looking for a gentle yet effective solution, this is it!"

I'm not a habitual mouthwash user, but I enjoy how fresh my mouth feels after using this one. It doesn't burn or trigger tooth sensitivity like the harsher brands I've tried. I even had a canker sore when testing it. Surprisingly, it didn't cause any aggravation! While I probably won't use it daily, it's nice to have TheraBreath in my oral health toolbox.

|Type of product: Water flosser | Standout features: 10 pressure settings

After trying out eight water flossers, our tester chose the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser as their top pick. It includes seven floss tips, 10 pressure settings and 360-degree rotation to meet all of your flossing needs. All these customizable features make it an ideal choice for those with braces or sensitive teeth and gums. Plus, its compact design makes it excellent for smaller spaces without compromising on function. The biggest drawback is that it's noisy.

Water flossers like Waterpik use a pulsating stream of water to clean between teeth and along the gumline, making them super helpful for those who have difficulty using traditional floss, especially people with braces, notes Wei.

With more than 140,000 Amazon reviews, the Waterpik Aquarius maintains an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars. One pleased reviewer wrote: "The Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser has exceeded my expectations. With its range of 10 pressure settings, I can adjust the intensity to suit my preferences. The massage mode is particularly beneficial for gum health, providing stimulation to the area." Another customer shared: "I absolutely hate flossing my teeth, so I figured if I got a water flosses, it would be less of a chore for me and it actually is kind of fun to use!"

Type of product: Customized oral water jet | Standout features: Works in 7 seconds

When it comes to next-level oral hygiene, our best splurge — Proclaim's Custom-Jet Oral Health System — delivers results that justify its premium price tag. Unlike standard water flossers, this device uses a customized mouthpiece, which is designed from a 3D digital scan of your mouth, and cleans deep below the gum line, targeting areas other devices simply can’t reach. 

The result? A remarkably thorough clean that leaves your mouth feeling fresher than ever — in after just seven seconds! After using it for 30 days, my gums feel healthier and less sensitive, something I struggle with due to thin gum tissue.

Even though the device is pricey and requires a trip to the dentist for the scan, for me, the superior cleaning is worth the investment. Cosmetic dentist Jon Marashi, DDS, who uses Proclaim twice daily, agrees, noting using it "can save you thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars in oral and medical care costs" resulting from poor oral care. 

Marashi adds, "Proclaim has superior performance in reducing gum bleeding, gum inflammation and plaque accumulation compared to manual string floss, including hard-to-reach areas like molars."

Proclaim has an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trust Pilot, with a minority of negative reviews. One pleased customer said the device is "great for freshening up my mouth anytime, like after coffee or Korean food," and another raved that "the system works very well and provides a deep and swift cleaning, almost like a spa treatment for your mouth."

Type of product: Electric toothbrush | Standout features: Anti-scrub and pressure sensors

After testing 15 manual and electric toothbrushes, the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Electric Power Toothbrush emerged as our top electric pick. Its AI-powered app guides users through optimal brushing duration, coverage and pressure. Our tester, who typically brushes too hard, particularly appreciated the sensor light that alerts you when you're applying excessive pressure.

One 5-star Amazon reviewer who also appreciated the AI direction wrote: "The detailed guidance and feedback has me gradually and naturally improving my brushing technique effortlessly. I am brushing consistently. There was an immediate jump in ability with initial use, so this is a no-brainer for anyone with the funds to spare."

Although the Sonicare 9900 Prestige is pricey, our tester shared, "it's one of the most incredible toothbrushes I’ve ever used. 'Incredible' isn't a word you'd usually associate with a toothbrush, but once you experience what the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige can do, you'll understand why."

If the price tag is just a little too much to handle, though, you may want to consider our budget pick, a battery-operated Spinbrush Pro+ ($12), or our top pick for whitening, the Aquasonic VIBE ($40). 

Cost: $8 for a 2-pack | Type of product: Manual toothbrush | Standout features: Built-in tongue and cheek scraper

The Colgate Advanced 360 Plus Floss Tip earned our top spot for best overall manual toothbrushes. "If you're searching for that just-from-the-dentist clean with a manual toothbrush, this is your best bet," raved our tester. The magic lies in its soft, tapered bristles that can dive deep between teeth and around the gumline, ensuring a thorough clean. Another plus for this manual brush: lt features a built-in tongue and cheek scraper. "It worked as well as a tongue scraper," noted our tester.

Other users agree. One happy Walmart customer shared: "I love these! They actually have very soft bristles unlike many other so-called 'soft' toothbrushes. They don't hurt my sensitive teeth and they make brushing much more efficient and thorough with the 360 technology. My teeth feel so clean with this brush!"

That's great news, since Wei notes that a "good quality toothbrush with soft bristles helps to effectively remove plaque and food particles from the teeth and gums," making it an essential component of daily oral care.