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Simple Oral Hygiene Swaps That Still Keep My Mouth Feeling Fresh And Clean
If you identify as a Crunchy MomTM, chances are you have tried the crunchy toothpaste alternatives… and then went back to your name brand, because no one likes feeling uncomfortable.
After my second son was born, I will admit that life was so busy and I was so sleep deprived that there were days I didn’t brush my teeth. And I was so tired, I didn’t even care. As moms, it’s easy to dismiss oral care as a small detail. Over time, I realized when something feels annoying or overwhelming, I’m not likely to do it. So instead of making it complicated, I focused on making my oral care routine simple, consistent, and pleasant enough that I actually follow through.
(If you’ve read my post about why I chose clean living, you know how much I believe small daily choices add up to transformation.)
My Favourite Simple Swaps for Oral Care I Love
1. Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
I struggled with this one for a while, because I just couldn’t find a fluoride-free toothpaste I liked. But then I realized it was also because choosing your toothpaste is only part of the picture. Once I established a better oral care routine, choosing a toothpaste that fit into it was way easier!
We use Arbonne’s fluoride-free vegan toothpaste in our home. It’s gentle and still gives that fresh feeling. Try pairing it with these charcoal infused bamboo toothbrushes from Amazon! It’s mint flavoured, but it isn’t overpowering (and check out these adorable bamboo toothbrushes for kids!). And at $20 a tube, the price is very comparable to other fluoride-free brands.
2. A Milder Mouthwash
I grew up thinking mouthwash had to be intense to be effective (the bottle said swish for 30 seconds but I’m not the only one who could barely do 15?). These days, I prefer something milder. Now I use TheraBreath (check out the Amazon link here!). I learned from my skincare that gentler can be better.
3. Gentler Whitening
I avoided whitening strips for years because I hated the sensitivity they caused me. Recently I found peroxide-free whitening strips that gently brighten without leaving me wincing when I open my mouth against a cold breeze. They’re slower, but I prefer that trade off.
4. The Underrated Tongue Scraper
I used to think brushing my teeth was enough, but then I heard about tongue scraping. And I thought it was a gimmick. But, it’s one of those things you don’t realize you’re missing until you try it.
I recommend a copper tongue scraper instead of plastic. It’s a small investment (I bought mine for under $10 on Amazon, here is the link!), but the payoff is big. I keep mine by my toothbrush so I never forget.
5. Oil Pulling
Something I like to include occasionally, oil pulling felt intimidating the first time I heard about it — but once I looked into it I realized it’s as simple as swishing. And here’s the best part: you don’t need any fancy product. Just grab a jar of food-grade coconut oil from the grocery store, the same one you might already use for baking or cooking. Don’t fall for the expensive bottles labeled specifically for oil pulling.
Creating Rhythms in Dental Care
This isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about creating rhythms that make it feel natural. For me, that looks like:
Daily:
- Using toothpaste I like
- Tongue scraping
- Gentle mouthwash
Occasionally:
- Gentle whitening strips
- Oil pulling
- Flossing (I would try these biodegradable floss pickers actually wide enough and easy to manage!)
An Invitation to Glow
If this resonates with you, I’d love to invite you to subscribe to Let’s Glow. You’ll get exclusive discount codes for some of my favorite products (including Arbonne), blog updates, and simple wellness tips you can actually use as a busy mom. It’s about creating space for intentional living, one small choice at a time.
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Start with one swap. Maybe it’s choosing a fluoride-free toothpaste, or finally trying a copper tongue scraper or oil pulling. These small changes add up to a lifestyle that truly supports your rhythms.
Subscribe, share this post with a friend, or comment below with your favourite oral care tip!
