The Brushing Combination That Makes My Teeth Feel Like I Just Left the Dentist

Written By Meagan Lindquist

My favorite brushing routine for unbelievably smooth teeth, fresh breath, and that "professional cleaning" feeling at home.

You know that feeling when you leave a dental cleaning? Your teeth unbelievably smooth, almost slippery. Like your teeth are made of glass.

Your gums feel refreshed. Your whole mouth somehow feels lighter.

It's one of those little things that makes you think, "What they heck are they using and why can't my teeth feel like this every day?"

As a registered dental hygienist with a Bachelor's degree in Dental Health Science, I've spent years helping people care for their teeth, both professionally and at home. During that time, I've tested more toothpastes, whitening products, mouth rinses, toothbrushes, flosses, powders, and "must-have" dental products than I can count.

Some were great. Many were “meh.” A few were just sexy marketing.

But every once in a while I find a product or combination that makes me genuinely excited. Like, “Okay I gotta make a post about this.

This is one of those combinations.

Before we dive in, one quick but important clarification: This is not my complete oral care routine.

This post is simply sharing the brushing combination I've been loving lately because it consistently gives me the closest thing I've found to that fresh-from-the-dentist feeling at home.

If you're looking for my complete oral care recommendations, including flossing, types of toothbrushes, tongue scraping, whitening, dental probiotics, cavity prevention, and everything else I recommend as a dental hygienist, I've put together a much more comprehensive blog post that I'll link at the end of this page.

Today, we're just talking about the brushing routine products. Because this combo is so good, it deserves its own spotlight, aight?

Why This Routine Feels Different

One common misconception is that people think cleaner teeth come from brushing harder. This is not the answer.

The reason your mouth feels so incredible after a professional cleaning isn't because the hygienist applied a ton of force in the cleaning process. It's because multiple things happened at once:

  • Plaque was removed.

  • Surface stains were polished away.

  • Your gums were gently stimulated.

  • The bacterial biofilm was disrupted.

  • Your entire mouth (not just your teeth) received attention.

So instead of searching for one product to do it all, I started thinking differently.

What if each product had one specific job?

One to refresh and support the soft tissues. One to clean while helping remineralize and strengthen enamel. One to gently polish away sticky plaque and surface stain.

Layered together, they create a brushing experience that's completely different from using toothpaste alone. After trying countless combinations over the years, this is the one I keep coming back to.

Step 1: Oral Swishing Oil

Before I even reach for toothpaste, I wet my toothbrush and add one to two pumps of Living Libations Mint + Myrrh Swishing Oil directly onto the bristles.

This probably seems extra. Guess what? It is, but it’s worth it.

"Why not just use toothpaste?" Fair question. Here's why I love this step.

This botanical oil makes my entire mouth feel refreshed and gums enlivened. If you’ve ever oil pulled and felt the slickness it provides…that’s the idea here.

The mint creates an incredibly fresh feeling. The botanical oils leave my gums feeling invigorated. Like the gingiva is buzzing with vitality.

It's one of those small but impactful steps that makes brushing feel luxurious and intentional.

Why I personally love it:

  • My mouth feels noticeably fresher.

  • My gums feel awake and healthy.

  • It pairs beautifully with the toothpaste that comes next.

  • It makes brushing feel less like a chore and more like self-care.

Dental Hygienist Tip

Healthy teeth are only one aspect of a healthy mouth. Your gums, tongue, cheeks, and other soft tissues all contribute to how your mouth feels. Taking care of the entire oral environment, not just the enamel, can make a surprisingly noticeable difference.

Step 2: Add a Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

Next, I add a pea-sized amount of SuperTeeth Whitening Toothpaste directly on top of the swishing oil.

This is where the routine really starts to shine.

One of the reasons I've gravitated toward this toothpaste is its use of nano-hydroxyapatite which is an ingredient that's received a lot of attention in dentistry over the past several years.

Hydroxyapatite is the primary mineral that makes up your tooth enamel. Nano-hydroxyapatite is a much smaller form of that same mineral, and it's being studied for its ability to help support enamel remineralization and reduce tooth sensitivity.

Beyond the hydroxyapatite itself, I also appreciate that this formula includes ingredients like CoQ10 and prebiotics, which align with the idea of supporting a healthy oral environment, not just scrubbing the teeth clean. As a hygienist, I was trained to think holistically. 

Why I keep reaching for this toothpaste

  • Helps leave my teeth feeling incredibly smooth.

  • Contains nano-hydroxyapatite for enamel support.

  • Includes ingredients that support the oral microbiome.

  • Leaves my mouth feeling clean without being harsh.

Okay, I know what some of you are thinking: What about the studies showing nano-hydroxyapatite can accumulate in organs or damage the liver?

I’ve looked at those concerns too, and context matters. One frequently cited 2014 study did find liver toxicity from 80-nm hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. But the animal portion of that study involved injecting the nanoparticles intravenously, directly into the bloodstream. That is a very different exposure route from brushing with toothpaste and spitting the large majority out.

The study also found dose-dependent effects, which brings me back to one of the most basic principles of toxicology: the dose matters. Even drinking too much water in a short amount of time can be dangerous.

For additional context, SuperTeeth contains 2.325% nano-hydroxyapatite. The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded in its 2025 assessment that nHAp meeting the specific particle characteristics it evaluated was safe in toothpaste at concentrations up to 29.5%. That puts SuperTeeth’s concentration about 12.7 times below that assessed upper concentration.

None of this means we should stop asking questions about nanoparticles. I think we should. But I also don’t think it’s scientifically fair to take a study where nanoparticles were injected directly into animals and use it as proof that brushing with a much lower-concentration toothpaste causes organ damage.

Where I personally land: I’m comfortable using a reputable nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste like SuperTeeth to help keep my teeth mineralized. The alternative is fluoride, and there’s a laundry list of issues there. 

Dental Hygienist Tip
Always use a soft bristled toothbrush. Never medium, never hard. These will damage your gums and promote recessed, thin gums over time. Quality electric toothbrush heads (Sonicare is my choice) should be soft by default. They don’t even make medium or hard bristled Sonicare heads. Don’t buy the cheaper knock off heads that fit Sonicare — sometimes these are not soft.

Step 3: Finish with a Mineral Tooth Powder

This is probably the product people are least familiar with. And I like that little fact. It means that when you try this, you’ll experience…say it with me…novelty.

Once the oil and toothpaste are already on my toothbrush, I lightly dip the bristles into a mineral tooth powder. (Don’t worry, the toothpaste won’t fall off)

I typically rotate between Living Libations Perfect Pearl Powderand their Mint Condition Mineral Tooth Powder.

This is the extra polishing effect you didn’t know you needed. This is why we hygienists always end the dental cleaning with some type of polish. Think of it as the finishing touch.

These mineral-packed powders provide gentle exfoliation to help lift sticky plaque and surface stain while delivering minerals that complement the rest of the routine.

It's a small step, but I absolutely notice the difference. And so will you!

This is the primary reasons my teeth feel so smooth afterward.

Step 4: Brush Longer Than You Think You Need To

If there's one piece of advice from this blog post that costs absolutely nothing...

It's this: Brush longer.

Seriously. Most people dramatically overestimate how long they brush. I've watched patients tell me they brush for "about 2-3 minutes." When really it’s more like 30-45 seconds.

My recommendation. Aim for three full minutes. Not thirty seconds. Not one minute. Not even the commonly recommended two minutes is enough in my opinion.

Why? Because most of us brush on “Autopilot.”

Be honest: do you put a significant amount of mental energy into your brushing patterns? Probably not. This means that you probably hit certain easy-to-reach areas (like upper molars and front teeth) more than the hard-to-reach ones (like canines and inside surfaces).

So…increase the overall time to hit those hard to reach areas more.

Three. Intentional. Minutes.

And if you're using an electric toothbrush (my personal preference is a Sonicare) let the brush do the work. There's no need to scrub aggressively.

Slow down. Guide the brush along the gumline in soft circles. Give each tooth the attention it deserves.

Those extra sixty seconds will make a surprisingly noticeable difference in your overall oral health.

Dental Hygienist Tip
More pressure doesn't equal cleaner teeth. In fact, brushing too aggressively can contribute to gum recession and enamel wear over time. A gentle circular technique combined with enough time is almost always a better strategy.

Why This Combination Works So Well

What I love most about this routine is that every product has a purpose.

  • The botanical oil refreshes and supports the soft tissues.

  • The toothpaste focuses on mineralizing and enamel support.

  • The tooth powder provides that final polishing touch.

Together, they create a brushing experience that's greater than the sum of its parts.

If you’re used to spending $4 on Colgate toothpaste and you’re thinking, “I don’t want to spend this much on tooth products…” Dental repair is much more expensive.

The way I think about it: my mouth is the gateway to my body. I want it as healthy as possible. I’d rather spend my dollars on products that keep my teeth intact, white and healthy, than buy a new outfit that sits in my closet and does nothing for my health.

Priorities people.

When you’re 70 yrs old with naturally beautiful teeth when all your friends have paid thousands for veneers, you’ll think back to my advice and mentally thank me.

A Few Bonus Tips From a Dental Hygienist

Even though this article is focused on my favorite brushing combination, there are a few habits I never skip.

  • Floss daily. Your toothbrush simply can't clean between your teeth. Find a time of day that isn’t a burden — like when you’re watching T.V. or are on a walk.

  • Replace your toothbrush head regularly. If the bristles are splayed out at all, it’s time to change the head (or you’re brushing too hard, or both).

  • Brush gently, not aggressively.

  • If you're whitening your teeth, remember that removing plaque and surface stain beforehand makes a bigger visual difference than whitening products alone.

  • Stay consistent. The best oral care routine is the one you'll actually follow every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different toothpaste?

Go ahead. This is simply the combination I've been enjoying most recently. If you already have a toothpaste you love, you can still incorporate other parts of the routine.

Do I need the tooth powder?

Yes. If you don’t use the tooth powder, it completely changes this routine. I personally notice a huge difference in how polished my teeth feel when I use it. Your teeth won’t feel as glassy and slick without this final step.

Is this routine safe to use twice a day?

These are all products I personally use morning and evening. As with any oral care product, follow the manufacturer's directions and talk with your own dental professional if you have specific concerns or oral health conditions.

Do I have to use an electric toothbrush?

No. You can use a manual toothbrush. I prefer an electric toothbrush because it delivers 30,000 brush strokes per minute, versus about 60-100 strokes per minute with a manual. There’s a significant difference. Again, it changes the routine when you deviate from the steps I’ve laid out.

Long story short: Just trust me, dude. Your teeth (and whole mouth) will feel so good with this combo.

The products I Use

Here's the exact combination currently sitting on my bathroom counter:

***If you use the Living Libation or SuperTeeth links above, you’ll receive a discount, but you won’t see the discount until the very last step in the check out process.

Final Thoughts

As a dental hygienist, people often ask me what toothpaste I use.

They're usually expecting one product. The truth is, it's the combination that makes the difference.

Call me extra…but thanks to that “extra-ness” my teeth will be white and healthy my entire life. I guarantee it.

This simple routine has become one of my favorite parts of the day because it consistently leaves my mouth feeling fresh, my teeth feeling incredibly smooth, and my smile looking just a little brighter.

If you decide to try it, I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment or DM me on Instagram @mimi_themedicin

And if you're ready to dive deeper into oral health, don't forget to check out my more comprehensive dental blog post where I cover everything from flossing and tongue scraping to whitening, nutrition, and building a routine that supports your smile for years to come.

XOXO,

Mimi

Meagan Lindquist
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