If you were to walk into your bathroom right now, what oral care products would you find? Toothpaste and a toothbrush, perhaps dental floss and mouthwash. And it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to assume that whatever you use, it tastes like mint: fresh mint, peppermint, spearmint, or any one of several variations on the traditional flavor. What’s wrong with this picture?
How about the fact that the average person devotes an estimated 38.5 days to brushing their teeth? And that doesn’t even take into account the time spent flossing and using mouthwash. That’s 38.5 days spent on mint. Since when is oral hygiene excluded from the “variety is the spice of life” rule? We can’t say, but we do know that the average person also spends much less time brushing their teeth each time: less than 30 seconds, despite the ADA’s recommendation that each brushing session should last at least two minutes. Following these guidelines protects your teeth and gums against tooth decay, a common oral health concern that could be addressed by tooth-colored fillings.
Maybe it’s time for a change. Why not ditch the mint in favor of one of these exotic, unusual, and downright weird toothpaste flavors. Compliments of Dr. Shawn Hofkes, your Cerritos, CA dentist, a sampling of the more unusual offerings out there.
Bizarre Flavors for Brave Brushers
Feeling adventurous? Sumigaki makes a black toothpaste made with charcoal, or you might consider Binotomo eggplant toothpaste, both very popular in Japan. Accoutrements offers several funky flavors, including bacon, pickle, and scotch, available from Amazon and Archie McPhee. We’ve also seen pine and bamboo salt toothpaste at various online beauty sites.
Different, but Not So Scary
Too bizarre? We’ve got you covered. Japanese brand Breath Palette tops all others with its 32 one-of-a-kind flavor choices. Among the more unusual offerings are green tea, Kyoto style tea, lemon, bitter chocolate, and caramel. If you have a sweet tooth, you can indulge it—and protect it from cavities—with one of Tanner’s Tasty Paste kids’ toothpaste flavors. Banilla Bling tastes of vanilla, or you can choose Cha Cha Chocolate or an orange creamsicle-inspired option. Try the popular cupcake toothpaste offered by Accoutrements.
Still Not Ready to Ditch the Mint?
If traditional mint holds a special place in your heart but fails to inspire your tastebuds, you’ll love the latest crop of minty blends. The Marvis Different Collection features cinnamon mint, aquatic mint, ginger mint, and jasmine mint. Regardless of which flavor you choose, the best toothpaste is the one that you use as directed.
Do you have tender, bleeding gums? You may have gingivitis, a minor infection that will become more severe without treatment. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Van Wicklen, contact our Austin dentist office at 512-448-3131. We serve patients living in Chestnut, River City, Riverside, Rosewood, and the surrounding communities. Follow us on Facebook for the latest news and events.
