Health Conditions / Oral Health

If you haven’t heard of toothpaste tablets, we probably don’t have the same TikTok algorithm. Toothpaste tablets are a buzzy alternative to traditional toothpaste in tubes; they usually contain similar active ingredients that clean your teeth but have a solid formula (versus your typical gel toothpaste). All you need to do to “activate” the tablets is chew them, and then brush your teeth. They’ll start to foam up in seconds once mixed with saliva or water.Sounds kinda fun, right? Toothpaste tablets are trendy, but are they as good for your teeth as plain old toothpaste in a tube? We asked oral care experts to weigh in—and rounded up a few products for you to consider, too.What are the benefits of toothpaste tablets?From an oral care standpoint, many toothpaste tablets include ingredients that traditional tubes of toothpaste rely on to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.According to Michael Wei, DDS, a New York City-based general and cosmetic dentist, you should look for toothpaste tablets that contain calcium carbonate (an ingredient that helps remove plaque build-up), silica (an abrasive that helps polish teeth and breaks down stains), sodium bicarbonate (aka baking soda, which help can whiten teeth), and, of course, fluoride. “Fluoride, which is a mineral that helps strengthen the enamel on teeth, is very important,” Dianne Sefo, RDH, MEd, a clinical associate professor and the chair of dental hygiene and dental assisting at NYU College of Dentistry, tells SELF. “It makes teeth less susceptible to cavities and less likely to wear down from acidic foods and drinks.”There are also fluoride-free tablets that often rely on the mineral nano-hydroxyapatite (N-HA); some studies—which analyzed the ingredient in traditional toothpaste, not tablets—show it can help strengthen enamel. While the dental experts SELF spoke with noted that fluoride is really important, the fluoride-free options are helpful for people who are sensitive or allergic to the ingredient; for example, some toothpastes with fluoride can trigger perioral dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin around the mouth, in people who are susceptible.Given their solid formula, toothpaste tabs are also a lot less messy than their squeezing, squirting alternatives, Dr. Wei tells SELF. What’s more, the little tabs can be more travel-friendly than toothpaste, since you can pop however many you’ll need in a tin and not worry about TSA regulations. The tablets are usually housed in glass, aluminum, or paper packaging, so you’ll likely reduce your plastic waste, too. (Every little bit counts, folks!)Are there any downsides to consider before you try toothpaste tablets?We mentioned the importance of fluoride for your teeth above, so it’s also key to note that there are currently very few toothpaste tablets on the market that contain fluoride. Unless you’re sensitive or allergic to fluoride, both Sefo and Dr. Wei strongly encourage using toothpaste that’s formulated with it. (Sefo also notes that no toothpaste tablets currently on the market have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance; however, the ADA only approves toothpaste formulas fortified with fluoride and because these tablets are fairly new, more data is likely needed.)

If string floss grosses you out or you find that your teeth don’t feel clean enough after using it, might we suggest using a water flosser? Perhaps your dentist has mentioned a water flosser to you or you’ve been served an ad for one while shopping for an electric toothbrush and want to learn more. What exactly is a water flosser and how is it different from regular floss? We spoke with oral health experts to break down these dental devices, who they’re best for, and how to shop for the best water flosser.What is a water flosser?According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a water flosser is a handheld dental device that sprays a constant, pulsating stream of water at the teeth to clean between them and around the gums. The flosser usually has a separate reservoir that stores the water and is attached to a tip that shoots out the water.With traditional floss, you’re able to scrape debris from in between your teeth, Julie Cho, DMD, a practicing dentist in New York City and a member of the ADA, tells SELF. “With a water flosser, it’s the water pressure of the jet that removes food build-up, plaque, and bacteria.”What are the benefits of using a water flosser?Water flossers are “particularly effective to clean areas that are otherwise difficult or impossible to access with [string] floss. For example, underneath [dental] bridges and around braces,” says Dr. Cho. In addition to those who have complex dental work, water flossers can be a useful alternative to string flossing for elderly people (and their caregivers), people with certain dexterity issues—say, those who have arthritis pain or spasticity in their hands—and anyone who isn’t diligent about string flossing, Vera Tang, DDS, a clinical assistant professor of periodontology and implant dentistry at the NYU College of Dentistry, tells SELF.“Most of my patients are in my chair because they have difficulty flossing and keeping plaque off their teeth, which eventually causes bone loss,” Dr. Tang says. That’s why water flossers can be a great option for people who don’t floss well or just don’t have the time to commit to a thorough string-flossing routine, she adds.How often should you floss your teeth?“In an ideal world, you’d floss every time you brush your teeth, which would be at least twice a day—morning and night—and maybe a third if you brush after lunch too,” Lindsey Marshall, DMD, a dentist in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, previously told SELF. This helps to prevent food and bacteria from accumulating between your teeth. Of course, flossing this often is not realistic for everyone. At a minimum, you should floss once per day, according to the ADA and the American Academy of Periodontology—and it should definitely be done in the evening, Dr. Tang advises: “You’re eating all day long, and the food is accumulating along your gum line. You don’t want that to sit overnight as you sleep.”Can you replace string flossing with water flossing?Flossing your teeth is a bit like cleaning your deck, Dr. Tang says. Water flossing washes away superficial debris like dirt, but for a truly deep clean that gets into the nooks and crannies of your deck (er, teeth and gums), you’ll want to manually floss, if you’re able to. Still, it’s far better to water floss than to skip flossing altogether—especially if you have dental work, dexterity issues, or just detest string. “Which is better? Whichever one you are more likely to use every day,” Edmond R. Hewlett, DDS, a professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry previously told SELF.What should you look for in a water flosser?Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best water flosser for you:

Snacking on a single candy bar throughout the day can do significantly more damage to your teeth than eating it all at once, according to Dr. Jahangiri. The same rule applies to all sugary foods, whether they’re processed or not. “A lot of people think that if anything is ‘natural,’ it’s good,” Dr. Jahangiri says. “The reality is, honey will do as much damage. Dates would do as much damage as chocolates. Bacteria don’t care whether it’s natural or not. The bacteria go by the sugary substance.”A final note on sugar: It’s best to have it with a meal, Dr. Jahangiri says. When you’re eating, you produce more saliva, which serves as a buffer that protects your teeth from sugar and acid. If you drink a soda or eat a candy bar within 15 minutes of a meal, it does “very little damage” to your teeth, Dr. Jahangiri says.Have a strategy around acidic foods and drinks.Sugar is bad for your teeth because it creates acid in your mouth. By the same token, drinking anything acidic is bad for your teeth too, David Hershkowitz, DDS, the division chair of restorative dentistry at Penn Dental Medicine, tells SELF.  “What people don’t think about is fruit juices,” Dr. Hershkowitz says. “Everyone thinks orange juice, or a little squirt of lemon in your tea or over your seafood, is good. But it makes for an acidic environment, and the mouth needs an acidic environment to cause [tooth] decay.”Again, Dr. Hershkowitz is not asking you to cut OJ out of your life. But when you drink it—or any other citrusy juice—he recommends using a straw. “Throw it into the back of your mouth so it doesn’t bathe the teeth,” he says. If you can, rinse out your mouth with water when you’re done sipping. And avoid brushing your teeth immediately after drinking fruit juice or any other acidic beverages, like soda, energy drinks, or coffee. “Brushing right away, if you have orange juice or lemon, only makes it worse,” Dr. Hershkowitz says. “The acid on the teeth kind of weakens [them] a little bit. Now you’re taking a toothbrush, which is abrasive, and you’re brushing the tooth. That makes it even weaker. You should take some time before you do the brushing. Rinse with water first, and then brush afterwards.” It’s wise to wait until at least 30 minutes have passed, he adds. Get specific about your brushing and flossing habits.Brushing twice a day—once in the morning, and once at night—is obviously important, as is flossing. But Dr. Jahangiri and Dr. Hershkowitz raised a few not-so-obvious pointers to keep in mind.Make sure brushing and flossing are the last things you do before you go to bed. Leaving food in your mouth overnight is (a) gross and (b) a recipe for tooth decay. Brush methodically, not chaotically. You want to make sure you don’t miss any spots. Start on the left side of your mouth and brush the outside of each row of teeth, making sure to brush where the teeth meet the gums. Then do the inside of each row the same way. Move to your front teeth and repeat. Finally, move to the right side of your mouth and finish up. Follow the “brush for two minutes” rule. Some research shows this can help remove 26% more plaque—which is where the bacteria on your teeth live—than if you rush through it, according to Dr. Hershkowitz.Use a standard, name-brand toothpaste. Baking soda, peroxide, or other homespun alternatives might damage your teeth, and they don’t contain fluoride. (Fluoride is the key ingredient in toothpaste that protects your teeth, and it can even reverse some of the damage you may have unwittingly done to them. It’s also in most of our tap water. Drink that stuff!)When you’re done brushing, spit out your toothpaste—but don’t rinse out your mouth with water right away. That fluoride needs time to sit on your teeth and do its thing. Dr. Hershkowitz recommends waiting about half an hour before you rinse, if you have the time.Flossing sucks; there’s no getting around that. To make it suck less, take Dr. Jahangiri’s advice: “Do it while you’re doing something else.” (For her part, she flosses while she’s watching TV.) Don’t worry about using something fancy like a water flosser. Regular floss works well, Dr. Jahangiri says. If you’re not sure about the right technique to use, follow this handy five-step guide to flossing from the American Dental Association.Don’t share a toothbrush with anyone—not even your partner or your kid. You run the risk of swapping microorganisms or bodily fluids with each other, which the ADA recommends avoiding.  Can’t afford your old dentist? Try these options instead.Even if you’re brushing and flossing regularly, watching your sugar and acid intakes, and otherwise doing your best to take good care of your teeth, you still need to go to the dentist for biannual checkups and cleanings if at all possible. Early tooth decay and early gum disease—the two main things that can go wrong inside your mouth—may have no symptoms, according to Dr. Jahangiri. Often, only a professional can spot them. The sooner they’re spotted, the easier and cheaper they are to treat—meaning, putting off a visit until you’re in extreme pain might cost you more in the end, Dr. Jahangiri says.

The Oral-B iO 9 comes with four iO Ultimate Clean round replacement brush heads that have unique angled, tufted bristles. This design of thinner bristles with longer and shorter lengths is layered to better target hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. The included brush heads are of standard softness (not too soft); however, with use, I find that my gums never bleed (unlike when I use my manual toothbrush and even other electric toothbrushes like the Colgate Hum). My gums feel clean but not tender after, perhaps owing to the brush’s micro-vibrations. For sensitive teeth, the toothbrush is also compatible with Oral-B iO Gentle Care brush heads, which have extra soft bristles (though I’ve not tried these).SettingsAccording to the experts, it’s a real plus for your oral care if an electric toothbrush has a range of settings, including a self-timer, pressure sensor, and custom brushing modes. “This removes a lot of the guesswork in your cleaning, which helps you clean with confidence,” Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE, cofounder and managing partner of Beam Street, told SELF. On the settings front, the Oral-B iO Series 9 seriously delivers. Cleaning ModesOn the interactive color display on the brush’s handle, you can select from seven different cleaning modes (daily clean, whitening, gum care, sensitive, intense, super sensitive, and tongue clean). Generally, I stick with the sensitive smart mode, but occasionally opt for tongue clean and whitening. I find the sensitive setting gentle enough for day-to-day use, but it’s nice to have the super sensitive option. As Dr. Chen notes, it’s helpful if an electric toothbrush has a setting to control its sensitivity level, as many patients find the vibrations uncomfortable.Quad TimerOnce I start my brush cycle with a push of a button, the brush’s quad timer kicks in, meaning that every 30 seconds, the brush clearly vibrates to signal that I switch brushing a new quadrant of my mouth. I can eye how much time I’ve spent brushing on the screen, and once I’ve hit the recommended two minutes, the brush vibrates twice to signal I’m done (if I want to be).Bimodal Smart Pressure Sensor and Personalized FeedbackMy two favorite features of this toothbrush, however, are its bimodal smart pressure sensor and personalized feedback. At the base of the brush head is a ring of light that changes to red if I’m brushing too hard, white if I’m brushing too softly, and green if I’m using just the right amount of pressure. I’ve never had this kind of responsiveness in a toothbrush, and it really makes all the difference, especially as someone who’s struggled with wanting to scrub my teeth in order to feel clean. My gums thank me.When I’ve hit the two-minute mark, a silly little smiley face appears on the brush’s screen. If I hit between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, it flashes a :/ and if I’m nowhere close, I get a more-disappointed face. This feedback feels like a kindergarten throwback (here’s a gold star for trying, Malia!), but it’s effective. As a people-pleaser (and now a toothbrush-pleaser), I want that smiley face, dammit, and I will brush enough to achieve it.Oral-B AppLastly, this brush syncs via Bluetooth with the Oral-B app. The app creates a 3D teeth-tracking map that analyzes the coverage you give to the 16 zones of your teeth while brushing and provides coaching based on your behaviors. It also theoretically keeps an eye on the pressure you apply, how long you brush, and what your goals are (whitening, fresh breath, plaque fighting, etc.). To be honest, I rarely open the app. When I open the app, I’ve not successfully gotten my toothbrush to pair in real-time so that I can easily see my habits and changes to make, despite fiddling around with connectivity and charging. The app is not a pro for me, nor is it a con. I could take it or leave it, but if you’re a real techie, it might be a selling point.Oscillating MotionOscillation “means the bristles travel back and forth a certain distance to disrupt plaque and debris,” explained Chris Strandburg, DDS, dentist and Waterpik spokesperson. Our experts recommend finding an electric toothbrush that provides oscillation, which is notably different from the vibrating effect that many toothbrushes offer but don’t provide additional cleaning benefits.

Six different Colgate products sold at Family Dollar stores are being voluntarily recalled because they weren’t stored properly, according to a statement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products were shipped to stores in 11 states from May 1 to June 21 this year. No illnesses related to the recalled products have been reported yet.The following Colgate products were affected:Colgate Optic White Stain Prevention Toothpaste, 2.1 ouncesColgate Optic White Charcoal Toothpaste, 4.2 ouncesColgate Optic White High Impact Toothpaste, 3 ouncesColgate Optic White Toothpaste Icy Fresh, 3.2 ouncesColgate Optic White Stain Fighter Toothpaste Clean Mint, 4.2 ouncesColgate Optic White Mouthwash, 16 fluid ouncesThe products were sold at Family Dollar stores in the following states:ArizonaCaliforniaGeorgiaIdahoIndianaMontanaNew MexicoNevadaOregonTexasUtahEmployees at the affected Family Dollar stores have been notified and asked to isolate and remove the recalled products from shelves immediately. If you purchased one of the recalled items, you can return it to the Family Dollar where you bought it and you don’t need the receipt to do so, the FDA statement said. Given that employees are being asked to separate the recalled products and dispose of them, you may want to put the product in some kind of container (like a bag) before disposing of it or returning it to the store.If you purchased one of the recalled products and you or a loved one starts to experience any unusual or surprising health problems after it’s been used, you should see a doctor, the statement said. The FDA didn’t list specific symptoms to be on the lookout for.Any reactions to the recalled product can be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program, which tracks health issues caused by potentially unsafe or recalled products. Anyone with questions about the recall can also call Family Dollar’s customer service line (844-636-7687) for more information.Related:

If you experience migraine headaches, you’re probably all too familiar with the unpleasant symptoms: The throbbing head pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vision changes can be debilitating and derail your entire day. Migraine isn’t just a severe headache—it’s a neurological disorder that develops as a result of complex changes in the nerves and blood vessels in the brain, resulting in inflammation. While the exact cause of the disorder isn’t fully understood, migraine attacks are often preceded by a person’s unique triggers, which can include hormonal changes, eating specific foods, stress, inadequate sleep, and exposure to certain types of light or strong smells, among so many others.Yet there’s one trigger that is often overlooked: temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which is also known as TMD (but more colloquially referred to as TMJ). According to the Mayo Clinic, TMJ disorders cause pain and discomfort in the temporomandibular joint—the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull—and the muscles that control your jaw. TMJ can also cause restricted movement or “locking” of your jaw. For reasons researchers and orofacial pain specialists are still beginning to understand, the effects of TMJ disorders may also trigger headaches or full-blown migraine attacks.“Physicians aren’t taught very much about how the jaw interacts with other physical symptoms,” Mark Abramson, DDS, a TMJ specialist and adjunct professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine, tells SELF. But we do know there is a link between the two conditions: People who are diagnosed with migraine are more likely to complain of tenderness and pain in the jaw area, which can also include the entire head, neck, and shoulders. “There is certainly a proportion of people with TMJ disorders who also suffer from migraine,” Belinda A. Savage-Edwards, MD, a neurologist and headache specialist based in Huntsville, Alabama, tells SELF.Why do TMJ disorders trigger migraine attacks in some people?Researchers are still working this out, but have some top theories. “The muscles that are connected to the [temporomandibular] joint can go into spasm with increased use—from talking, chewing, yawning widely, those kinds of things—and [those spasms] can trigger headaches,” says Dr. Savage-Edwards. “But it’s been shown that people with TMJ disorders are actually more prone to migraine headaches than tension headaches.”One potential explanation for the connection, explains Dr. Abramson, is the involvement of the trigeminal nerve, a nerve that is integral to operating the movement of the jaw, but also is targeted by certain migraine medications due to its connection in generating head and facial pain.1Another theory is that migraine attacks may be induced or aggravated by the causes and symptoms of a TMJ disorder, like teeth grinding that can set off the pain associated with chewing. “If someone always gets a headache after eating, the trigger could be the chewing itself,” says Dr. Savage-Edwards. “Or if they tend to wake up with these headaches, and are grinding their teeth and clenching their jaw throughout the night, that can also be a trigger.” Still, we have a lot to learn about the mechanics of how TMJ disorders might be linked to migraine attacks.How can you tell if a TMJ disorder might be causing your migraine symptoms?It might sound obvious, but if you have frequent migraine attacks and you have TMJ symptoms due to a flare, it’s likely the two are connected in some way. Where there’s smoke, there’s often fire. If you have migraine and also burning or intense pain in the jaw (especially after eating or chewing), jaw stiffness, a popping or clicking noise in the jaw, an unexplained change in your bite, and/or you know you grind your teeth at night, these are all signs of a TMJ disorder, says Dr. Savage-Edwards.2 Treating it might just improve the migraine situation, although this isn’t always the case.

“Cold sores are just a skin manifestation of the herpes virus,” Dr. Rodney adds. “There’s a stigma when people hear ‘herpes,’ and they think it’s terrible, but it’s usually caused by the HSV-1 virus. It’s so terribly common. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”Sometimes, people even ask for a swab test that tells them which type of herpes they have because they wonder how they got it, says Dr. Abdur-Rahman. But as he explains, “testing positive for type 2 just means the herpes is caused by the virus that usually causes genital herpes, it doesn’t mean that you didn’t get it from kissing someone.” People usually get cold sores through close contact, like kissing and oral sex, but herpes is not always sexually transmitted: Sharing eating utensils, razors, and towels can spread the virus as well, the Mayo Clinic notes.The distinction doesn’t matter much in the practical sense—wherever your herpes shows up is where it shows up, independent of which strain brought it about or how you got it. But it’s key to know that if you have herpes, you can give it to someone else through kissing or oral sex, no matter which strain you have. Cold sores are contagious, particularly if you’re currently going through a flare and have an oozing blister, according to the Mayo Clinic.What are common cold sore symptoms to be aware of?People can confuse a cold sore for a canker sore, an angry noncontagious lesion that isn’t linked with herpes, or an exceptionally painful pimple, at least in the beginning before the blister opens up. In general, per the Mayo Clinic, you can expect the following cold sore symptoms:Tingling, itching, burning around the lipsA small, hard painful spotSmall, fluid-filled blisters along the border of your lipsOozing and crusting“One key sign is that sometimes you may feel pain and tingling in the area before the cold sore actually appears,” Dr. Rodney says. Cold sores also tend to show up in the same spot or region every time. “If you usually get cold sores on your right upper lip, it will usually appear in that same spot again in the future,” Dr. Rodney says.Cold sore symptoms can be slightly different during the first outbreak, though. The AAD says this initial infection typically happens during childhood and can lead to the following symptoms in addition to the ones above:FeverHeadacheMuscle achesSwollen lymph nodesNauseaSore throatPain when swallowingWhy do some cold sores come out of nowhere?Here’s the weird thing about cold sores: You can be infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 and not have visible symptoms for years. In fact, some people can have several cold sores a year or only one or two in their lifetime—it really just depends on your body.“I’ve had a lot of patients who wonder if their partner cheated on them because they suddenly developed a cold sore,” Dr. Rodney says. “But that’s not the case—they just had their first visible outbreak later in life.”That’s because the virus lies dormant in your skin’s nerve cells, only to rear its head when it’s triggered to do so. These recurrences can be set off by a slew of different things, like a viral infection or fever, hormonal changes, stress, fatigue, exposure to sunlight and wind, changes in your immune system, or a skin injury, the Mayo Clinic notes. So, if you have a cold sore, it likely won’t be visible forever.Can you have herpes with no symptoms at all?Most people with herpes have it without knowing it. About two thirds of the global population under age 50 has HSV-1, according to the World Health Organization, and around one in every six people in the U.S. between ages 14 and 49 has genital herpes, according to the CDC. In fact, because it’s so common, doctors often don’t even test for herpes in the usual STI workup.