Mouth hygiene is one of the key elements to out overall health, and reinforcing that routine with our kids is essential. But getting the family together and into an oral regimen, especially with the young ones and adolescents, can be like herding elephants. Difficult and very heavy, surrounded by all the different personalities and schedules.
But do you throw in the towel? No! That just means you refocus and get creative with some accessories that will get the whole family jazzed to tend to those pearly whites! From the jet flosser to tongue scrapers, we are here to share with you some gnarly oral accessories that will help you get the whole family to tend to their smile.
Let’s discuss oral accessories, how they work, and why they would be ideal for your family! All of these are tried and tested, and used in our house.
Jet Flosser (water)
No more dreading the floss dance! A jet flosser, also known as a water flosser, is an oral care product the whole family will love. While using individual floss picks is undoubtedly easier for all than the standard dental floss, the water flossers are far more fun for children.
How It Works:
It uses a powerful jet of water to blast away plaque, leftover gunk and food particles from between the teeth and gums. It’s a great alternative to traditional flossing, making the process easier and more enjoyable.
Why Your Family Will Love It:
✅ Perfect for kids who struggle with flossing
✅ Gentle yet effective at cleaning hard-to-reach areas
✅ Helps prevent gum disease and cavities
✅ Fun, mess-free, and easy to use
Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes have changed the way we clean our teeth, and are the recommended choice of dentists. By performing consistent, nonstop oscillations, they provide a more thorough clean than simply brushing manually.
How It Works:
Electric toothbrushes use oscillating or sonic movements to remove plaque more effectively than manual brushing. Many come with built-in timers to ensure users brush for the recommended two minutes.
Why Your Family Will Love It:
✅ Provides a deeper, more thorough clean
✅ Built-in timer ensures proper brushing time
✅ Great for kids, making brushing feel like a game
✅ Ideal for those with braces or limited dexterity
Pro Tip: Change the head every 3 months for the best clean
Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes (sometimes called by dentists as the brand name TePe) are the perfect tool for tackling those hard-to-reach areas between teeth! They’re simple to use and can also turn into a fun way for your kids to learn why it’s important to clean in between their teeth. What’s more? They’re reusable, which is great for the planet!
How It Works:
Interdental brushes are small, flexible brushes designed to clean between teeth where floss might not reach. They are especially useful for those with braces, bridges, or wider gaps between their teeth.
Why Your Family Will Love It:
✅ Comes in different sizes to fit between any teeth
✅ Easier and quicker to use than floss
✅ Reusable and eco-friendly
Tongue Scrapers
Did you realise the coating on your tongue can hold lots of bacteria that cause bad breath? A not-so-pleasant thought, we know! Now, oral care/ tongue superhero: the tongue scraper. I drink a lot of coffee, so these are ideal part of my routine.
How It Works:
This nifty tool that removes bacteria and debris from the surface of your tongue, helping to reduce bad breath and improve overall oral health.
Why Your Family Will Love It:
✅ Eliminates bacteria that cause bad breath
✅ Simple to use and highly effective
✅ Improves taste sensitivity
✅ Leaves the mouth feeling fresher
Mouthwash with Fluoride
A fluoride mouthwash is a welcome addition to your oral care routine to protect the teeth against cavities for the whole family. Mouthwash helps wash away plaque, bacteria and food particles, leaving your mouth fresh and clean. An alcohol-free option that is suitable for the whole family offers a safe option for even the youngest of your household!
How It Works:
Fluoride mouthwash helps strengthen enamel, fight cavities, and rinse away bacteria that brushing and flossing might miss.
Why Your Family Will Love It:
✅ Provides extra protection against cavities
✅ Alcohol-free options available for kids
✅ Helps freshen breath and reduce plaque
✅ Easy addition to any dental routine
Dental Chews for Pets
Don’t leave our four-legged pals out! Pet dental chews are a delicious way for your pets to maintain their pearly whites. Help your animal friend tackle their oral hygiene with a happy chew snack.
How It Works:
These chews help to break down plaque and tartar, stopping gum disease and other dental issues for man’s best friend
Why Your Family Will Love It:
✅ Supports your pet’s oral health
✅ Helps prevent gum disease in dogs and cats
✅ Fun and tasty way to maintain hygiene
✅ Available in different sizes for all breeds
Teeth Whitening Kits
If a brighter smile is on the top of your wish list, put a few teeth whitening kits on your radar.
How It Works:
Teeth whitening kits use safe, effective whitening agents to brighten smiles from the comfort of your home.
Why Your Family Will Love It:
✅ Affordable alternative to professional whitening
✅ Easy to use at home
✅ Safe for enamel and sensitive teeth
✅ Noticeable results in just a few treatments
Reusable Silicone Toothbrush Covers
Keeping your toothbrush protected is vital. To keep your toothbrush healthy and in good shape, pick up a pack of reusable silicone toothbrush covers. If protecting your toothbrush wasn’t exciting enough for you, they also come in plenty of colours to make it easier for the kids to want to brush.
How It Works:
Silicone toothbrush covers protect your toothbrush from dust, bacteria, contaminants and other gross stuff while travelling or storing it in the bathroom.
Why Your Family Will Love It:
✅ Keeps toothbrushes clean and hygienic
✅ Ideal for travel and everyday use
✅ Available in fun colours for kids
✅ Helps prevent cross-contamination
Kids’ Fun-Flavoured Toothpaste
Getting kids to brush their teeth can be a bit of a struggle, so what is one way of getting them to brush their teeth? Flavoured toothpaste! Let’s face it: adult toothpaste absolutely tastes yucky! We just take it on the chin as we’re used to it. But for kids, who don’t quite have that philosophy yet, having something that tastes a little better will actually make them want to brush their teeth!
How It Works:
Unlike traditional mint-flavoured toothpaste, fun flavours like bubblegum, strawberry, or vanilla make brushing more enjoyable for kids.
Why Your Family Will Love It:
✅ Encourages kids to brush regularly
✅ Tastes great without artificial sweeteners
✅ Provides fluoride protection for cavity prevention
✅ Available in a variety of fun flavours
Travel-Friendly Dental Kits
Any family on the move can benefit from travel tooth sets. Usually including a child-size toothbrush, toothpaste, and possibly floss, these travel cases contain all the essentials in an easy-to-pack box. Packed for a weekend trip or a full-on vacation, it’s simple for families to remain on top of their brushing no matter where they find themselves!
Why Your Family Will Love It:
✅ Perfect for trips and holidays
✅ Keeps oral care routine consistent
✅ Small and easy to pack
✅ Great for school or work use
A Dental Routine That The Whole Family Will Love
Getting the whole family on a good and effective dental schedule has just become more fun and interesting with these fun accessories!
Pro Tip: Make dental care fun by letting kids pick their own toothbrushes, toothpaste flavours, and accessories!
Quick FAQ: Your Dental Care Questions Answered
1. Are electric toothbrushes better than manual ones?
Yes! Studies show that electric toothbrushes remove more plaque and reduce gum disease more effectively than manual brushing.
- The oscillating and vibrating bristles reach areas manual toothbrushes often miss.
- Built-in timers ensure you brush for the recommended two minutes.
- Great for kids and those with limited mobility.
A manual toothbrush can still be effective if used correctly with proper technique.
2. Is fluoride mouthwash safe for young children?
Yes, but with caution!
- Children under 6 should use fluoride mouthwash only if recommended by a dentist, as swallowing too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis (a cosmetic issue affecting teeth).
- If used, ensure they spit it out rather than swallow.
- Look for alcohol-free, child-friendly mouthwashes with lower fluoride concentrations.
3. How often should I replace my toothbrush?
Every 3 months (or sooner if the bristles look worn out!).
- A frayed toothbrush is less effective at removing plaque.
- Replace your brush after illness to prevent reinfection.
- Electric toothbrush heads should also be replaced every 3 months for best results.
Pro Tip: If you keep forgetting to replace your toothbrush, set a reminder on Alexa or email calendar!
