The Oral Care Renaissance Is Here — But Are Dentists Backing The Trend?

The skin-ification of oral care is fully underway—let the dentists rejoice.

While it's somewhat cringey to admit it, having aesthetically pleasing toothbrushes and sleek, modern flossing devices may just impact the collective motivation to treat the teeth with as much care as we do our skin. 

Now, the evidence for this shift is multipronged. On the social media front, more influencers are openly chatting about niche oral care topics, being met with plenty of engagement. For example, influencer and actress Claudia Suleweski took it upon herself to play big sister and share how she "saved her gums" and prevented recession—the video has gained 2.8 million views and counting. 

Even Kim Kardashian has contributed to the buzz around viral products, like the distinct purple tooth serum from HiSmile, which some swear whitens their teeth in just one use. 

Luckily, flossing is getting a rebrand as well, with devices like Flaus hitting the market—offering an electric, low-effort, and relatively sustainable alternative to traditional plastic flossing picks. (I've tried it, and it's pretty great!) 

Red light has already become a norm in the skin care industry, but now these LED light therapy devices are tackling the mouth–more on the research behind those possible benefits in a bit. 

And if you've never liked the lackluster mint and artificial bubblegum toothpaste options, now you can look forward to HiSmile's anticipated mushroom flavor toothpaste (though I'm personally unsure if that sounds any better…but to each their own).

Beyond products, special attention to the oral microbiome has also increased. Just like you can test various health metrics with an at-home kit, you can now do the same for your oral care with Peri—pretty cool, yeah?

It's safe to say that most dentists support more excitement and dedication to oral care habits—no matter where the inspiration comes from. 

"It basically boils down to this: Products that you want to look at, touch, and smell are products you're more likely to use regularly. And as with other forms of self-care, including skin care, consistency is key in oral care," says dentist and co-founder of Cocofloss Chrystle Cu, DDS. 

Encouraging patients to floss is a never-ending item on the to-do list of dentists everywhere, but these new products may just dial back the need for reminders. 

"New routines are more easily established when they feel indulgent and delightful, so desirable products make habit-building more achievable," Cu says. 

Celebrity cosmetic dentist Daniel Rubinshtein, DDS, agrees: "Creating visually appealing and fun-to-use dental products can increase their usage and adoption," he says. "By promoting dental care as part of 'self-care,' similar to skin care, it can change perceptions and encourage people to prioritize their oral hygiene, leading to better oral health." 

With all of the hype, it's easy to be convinced that you need every new, shiny product that surfaces. But just like dermatologists will tell you about skin care devices and gadgets—many of these advancements should be seen as extras. They're likely not necessary for the average person looking to maintain healthy teeth and gums.