Philips Sonicare’s newest addition to its collection of toothbrushes, the Flexcare Platinum Connected, is a massive, technological step forward for the company. Featuring Bluetooth technology that connects the tool to your phone, a paired app creates a 3D map of your mouth to maximize the effects of brushing. The program not only tracks movement but also measures the strength and efficency of brushing in an endless assortment of features to customize your experience; including nine personalized brushing experiences, opportunities to communicate with your dental professional, progress updates based on use, and more. For those not constantly on their phone, the device has an internal memory that stores progress between syncs so that there’s no major time gaps in results.
The Flexcare Platinum Connected will be released in mid-July.
Toothpaste shopping has never been more confusing these days with 1,000 different tube options, all claiming to turn Starbucks-stained teeth into shiny pearly whites, but the ones that actually work are few and far between. Just in time for summer, when a bright smile is more important than ever, the teeth whitening innovators at Luster Premium White release the Smile Illuminator Instant Whitening Kit: an easy-to-use system that polishes, boosts, and revamps teeth without causing sensitivity. The new kit developed by dentists includes three different products that provide impressive results in a two-step process. After polishing teeth with the advanced Electrifying Blue Toothpaste, freshen your breath with the Brisk Rinse mint-flavored mouthwash. Bluverite technology is used in both products, depositing blue micro-particles onto teeth, which creates the optical effect of whiter teeth after just one use and can last for hours. As a touch up, dissolve stains with the travel-size Whitening Serum, which can be used separately. They say the first thing people notice in a stranger is their smile so give yours an instant boost before hitting the beach with this newest kit.
The Smile Illuminator Instant Whitening Kit is available online now.
Oral hygiene tends to be the the middle child of the hygiene pool, often taking a backseat to skincare and matters of the head. And while Charlie Chaplin was quick to note that “You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile,” he neglected to mention the uninviting nature of yellowing teeth and visible plaque buildups. We sat down with Dr. Evan Lehnoff, DDS, the youngest in a long procession of dentists in his family, to discuss what we’re (maybe) doing wrong, how to correctly choose a toothbrush, and one of the most effective ways to prevent cavities.
Essential Homme: How often do we actually need to see a dentist?
Dr. Lenhoff: Every six months to catch problems before they get big. If you have gum problems, every four months. A good indication that you’re overdue is if you start bleeding when you brush or floss. Your gums are likely swollen and there’s too much bacteria living on your teeth. The more you delay, the worse it’s going to get.
EH: How often should we buy a new toothbrush? Are the expensive ones better?
DL: There’s no right answer. I’d say every four months is good. If you notice the bristles are spreading apart, then it’s time.
EH: How do we choose a toothbrush? There are a million options…
DL: If you brush properly, it doesn’t matter what toothbrush you use, so long as it’s soft bristled. Most patients do a better job with an electric toothbrush because it’s easier. Sonicare is pretty amazing. Expensive, but worth it. With tootphase, tartar control is the most important thing, [and many] don’t have it. If you want whitening, there are abrasives which have polishing agents and chemicals that contain peroxide. I like the clean feeling of Arm & Hammer. Rembrandt Red if you want whiter teeth.
EH: Are alcohol-free mouthwashes better?
DL: So important. Alcohol causes throat and mouth cancer, [so] you don’t want to be swishing with it every day and night.
EH: What’s the cheapest course of action for rectifying yellowing teeth?
DH: Anything that stains your clothes will stain your teeth: tomato sauces, red wine, tobacco, etc. The cheapest method would be the over-the-counter whitening strips. They work. If you spend around $50 or $60, you’ll get a good product. [But] nothing works as well as the whitening done in a dentist’s office because we use a stronger chemical.
EH: Salmon improves hair texture, and walnuts soften skin, is there a food that improves our dental health?
EH: What’s the biggest/newest innovation in dental health that’s applicable to our lives?
DL: There’s been so many advances in every part, that’s part of the reason health care costs go up so significantly. The imaging we have now is amazing. It takes a lot of the guesswork out, allowing us to interpret and diagnose so much more appropriately. Another big things are implants, which replace missing teeth. [Implants] have been around for along time, but now we’re able to use them more reliably and know they’re going to work. If you do go to the dentist regularly you can die with all of your natural teeth at 100 now.
EH: What’s a simple thing we can be doing to improve our oral hygiene?
DL: Controlling the way you eat is more important than people realize. Every time you put food in your mouth, it causes your teeth to decalcify for the first thirty minutes, which forms cavities. So for instance if you have a sugary drink, drink it all at once versus sipping it all day. Each sip: cavities thirty minutes, then another sip: cavities thirty minutes. But if you drink it all at once, it eliminates that.
Images courtesy of Dr. Evan Lenhoff, DDS and Tumblr.
