Let’s say that you brush your teeth twice daily over a period of 20 years. That’s 7,300 days, or 14,600 brushing sessions! Now, think about the typical drugstore offering of toothpaste flavors. Ice mint, fresh mint, polar mint, spearmint…you can see where we’re going with this. After 20 years of mint, why not consider shaking things up with a new flavor? Dr. Steven Van Wicklen, a general dentist near UT Austin, shares his list of wonderful and weird toothpaste flavors.
College Students’ Teeth and Gums Are in Trouble
According to a recent study, up to two-thirds of college students have some form of periodontal disease. Researchers attribute this unpleasant fact to lifestyle and poor oral hygiene. The study, which included students ages 18 to 22, reported that students with dental problems were more likely to experience social anxiety and problems with self-esteem. More than half of students interviewed said that they frequently went to bed without brushing or flossing. Of those who do not brush and floss before bedtime, 26% had gum disease, compared to 16% in the group of bedtime brushers. Austin TX dentist Dr. Van Wicklen, who treats many UTA students, warns that gum disease progresses quickly and leads to bad breath and loss of teeth and bone.
From Freshest to Most Bizarre
Brushing at least twice daily and flossing once daily is critical for maintaining a healthy mouth, as are regular dental exams and professional cleaning. Yes, your college years are exciting and often carefree, but the consequences of neglecting oral hygiene cannot be ignored. If you find yourself struggling to remember to brush your teeth, maybe it’s time for an unforgettable toothpaste flavor.
Not Your Mother’s Mint Toothpaste
If you still can’t get enough of mint toothpaste, consider one of the hip mint blends from the Different Collection by Marvis. Choose from Ginger Mint, Jasmine Mint, Cinnamon Mint, Aquatic Mint, and Whitening Mint. Crest recently announced its new Crest Be line, which features Mint Chocolate Trek, Lime Spearmint Zest, and Vanilla Mint Spark.
Flavors for the Young at Heart
Maybe you have an insatiable sweet tooth, but you understand the perils of sugar and its effect on your teeth and gums. Tanner’s Tasty Paste comes in Cha Cha Chocolate, Banilla Bling (vanilla), and an orange creamsicle flavor. Accoutrements offers a novelty toothpaste in a Sweet Cupcake Frosting flavor.
Hip, Unexpected Flavors
Breath Palette, an ultramodern Japanese brand, offers 32 unique flavors with only a single mint flavor in the whole lot. Some seem odd but intriguing, such as Bitter Chocolate, Lemon Tea, Kyoto Green Tea, and Lavender. Others are a few notches higher on the weird scale. Ever think about brushing your teeth with Honey, Indian Curry, Fresh Yogurt, or Pumpkin Pudding?
Now That’s Just Plain Weird
This is where toothpaste manufacturers get really daring. Would you brush with Bacon, Pickle, or Scotch? Perhaps you’d try Eggplant from Japanese brand Binotomo. There’s always Bamboo Salt, Pine, and Sumigaki black Charcoal toothpaste.
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.