2009 Top 5 Oral Hygiene Products

As an episode of the farcical Disney cartoon Dave the Barbarian once put it, proper oral hygiene is not a laughing matter. Every day the unwitting consumer is battered by many messages about the latest product that will help him have a cleaner, healthier and happier mouth.

Sorting all these claims out or figuring out which products are better left on the shelf can be time consuming. Fortunately, I have done a little research into the new oral hygiene products for you. It should be noted that the following comments are my opinion only and may not necessarily represent (and most likely do not) represent the views of Associated Content and the product manufacturers.

1. Crest Tooth Whitening Mouthwash

This new mouthwash was introduced late in 2008. The product comes in a variety of flavors, but it does not do an impressive job of tooth whitening. It does, however, fulfill its primary purpose as a mouthwash well. The minty flavor of this oral hygiene product is pleasant and the experience as not as intense as Listerine.

2. Colgate Cavity Fighting and Tooth Whitening Toothpaste

Colgate's oral hygiene products have almost always suffered from one problem. Their toothpastes taste horrible. Their new mouth whitening and germ fighting toothpaste did little to overcome this problem, although the product lives up to most of its claims. Although the user's teeth may become whiter, but unless an individual is a taste masochist, there is little reason to reuse this product. Even though toothpastes are not intended to be eaten by consumers, people are not inclined to reuse a toothpaste if it has an unplseant taste.

3. Listerine Antiseptic Anti-Cavity Flouride Rinse

The problem with Listerine's oral hygiene products has never been one of taste, but rather the feeling its main ingredient - alcohol - leaves on the tongue. The alcohol makes most forms of Listerine an effective antiseptic. The Anti-Cavity Flouride Rinse has a pleasant taste and does not suffer from the same problem as the mouth washes, however, it does not serve the same purpose as the company's other products.

This new product is aimed more towards children, a demographic that would not be swayed by the manly you can handle it commercials that the makers of Listerine used to convince people to use their product for the recommended 30 seconds.

4. Philip's Sonicare Toothbrush

Although this oral hygiene product is several years old, it is still one of the most innovative and one of the best performing oral hygiene products on the market. Instead of relying solely on traditional toothpaste to achieve an effective cleaning, the Sonicare harnesses sonic waves to loosen plaque from the user's teeth and gums. The price of the toothbrush is still a little on the high side.

5. Invisalign Braces Replacement

Clear braces are not a new idea, but Invisalign came out with a new form that does not get permanently applied to the teeth. Instead, this product, whish is more of a cosmetic product than an oral hygiene product. Instead of braces that need to be adjusted by regular visits to an orthodontist, this product is placed in the wearer's mouth like a sports guard. The teeth are gently pushed back and brought into proper alignment.