# Toothpaste **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 26, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575 "2010-08-26T19:52:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/21 "2010-08-27T07:43:13Z")
What I can’t stand is that toothpastes all taste way too sweet. Why would anyone want a sweet toothpaste? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/22 "2010-08-27T13:31:38Z")
Putting toothpaste on toothbrush when one hand is in a cast: Pick up toothbrush and put on vanity counter. Pick up toothpaste and squeeze on brush. Watch brush fall over and get toothpaste on counter. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. It was Happy Dance Time when I could fnally hold my toothbrush in my encasted hand. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/23 "2010-08-27T14:04:06Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > What I can’t stand is that toothpastes all taste way too sweet. Why would anyone want a sweet toothpaste? See, mint makes me gag, unless it’s in gum. Sometimes I steal my daughter’s Princess toothpaste, because it’s fruit flavored! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/24 "2010-08-27T14:52:49Z")
**gallows fodder** said: > [@](#): > > Her explanation was, 1) it’s not the toothpaste that cleans your teeth, it’s the friction from brushing, Friction is the primary cleaning agent. Some toothpaste acts as an abrasive. Toothpaste also provides fluoride, which in low doses strengthens teeth, and in high doses stains and damages them. Other agents in toothpastes do different things, like whiten stains or fight tartar. How effective and useful those items are is debatable. **janeslogin** said: > [@](#): > > Where I grew up persons did not use toothpaste but rather a powder of sodium bicarbonate and something. The community did not appear to have any more dental problems than a nearby community where paste was available. Bicarbonate of soda is baking soda, which acts as a mild abrasive and mild whitening agent. However, it does not contain fluoride. **dzero** said: > [@](#): > > As for flouridated water, does this work by direct contact with the enamel or via systemic absorption and indirect contact (eg, as fluoride is secreted along with saliva for example)? [According to the CDC](http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/reducing_risk.htm), swallowing the fluoride is bad. I gather this works by absorbtion into the blood, as opposed to brushing and rinsing with fluoride which acts mostly by contact absorbtion. > [@](#): > > Either way, the actual amount of fluoride is so low I doubt that it is any where near as effective as a 1.1% gel/paste. But if you can point to an authoritative source that proves me wrong, I would be most appreciative. > [@](#): > > **Know the Fluoride Concentration in the Primary Source of Drinking Water** > All persons should know whether the fluoride concentration in their primary source of drinking water is below optimal (less than 0.7 ppm), optimal (0.7–1.2 ppm), or above optimal (greater than 1.2 ppm). This knowledge is the basis for all individual and professional decisions regarding use of other fluoride modalities (e.g., fluoride toothpaste for children under 2 years of age, mouthrinse or supplements). It is recommended that parents and caregivers of children, especially children aged less than 6 years, know the fluoride concentration in their child’s drinking water. For example, in nonfluoridated areas where the natural fluoride concentration is below optimal, fluoride supplements might be considered, whereas in areas where the natural fluoride concentration of more than 2 ppm, children should use alternative sources of drinking water. Underlining added. **tr0psn4j** said: > [@](#): > > What I can’t stand is that toothpastes all taste way too sweet. Why would anyone want a sweet toothpaste? Surely you don’t want bitter toothpaste? Toothpaste is sweetened to make it palatable, so people will use it. Especially children. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/25 "2010-08-27T14:56:48Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > > > So, Dopers–How do _you_ all use your toothpaste? > > For [all kinds of shit](http://www.wisebread.com/two-dozen-uses-for-toothpaste-aside-from-cleaning-your-teeth)! This link includes what I was going to post: defogging a scuba mask. However, it’s gotta be plain toothpaste. Gel doesn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/26 "2010-08-27T19:06:13Z")
I wish there was more diversity in flavours, too - mint, mint or mint, what’s your pleasure? I’d like a nice, orange-flavoured toothpaste - I love orange flavouring. ETA: Except then they’d make it orange-mint, like all the damned gum. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/27 "2010-08-27T19:20:41Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Putting toothpaste on toothbrush when one hand is in a cast: > > Pick up toothbrush and put on vanity counter. > Pick up toothpaste and squeeze on brush. > Watch brush fall over and get toothpaste on counter. > Lather. Rinse. Repeat. > > It was Happy Dance Time when I could fnally hold my toothbrush in my encasted hand. Pick up toothbrush and put it on vanity counter. Position brush so that head sticks out over edge of counter. Lean over and place casted hand on handle of brush, to secure it in place on counter. Using non-casted hand, pick up toothpaste and squeeze on brush. Set down toothpaste, then pick up toothbrust with non-casted hand. You hate me now, don’t you. > [@Irishman](#): > > [According to the CDC](http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/reducing_risk.htm), swallowing the fluoride is bad. I accidentally swallowed a mouthful of the fluoride rinse you get at the dentist when I was a kid. Felt sick all the way home, and made my mom pull the car over so I could open the door and puke just before we turned in to the alley. For years, I couldn’t stand the taste of fluoride and did everything I could to get out of using it at my dentist visits (which were very frequent, given that I had braces). One of the best days of my young life was when they got a new flavor (something tropical) that sufficiently disguised the taste such that I didn’t have to surpress gags while I was swishing (nor wipe the hell out of my tongue with a series of paper towels after spitting). ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/28 "2010-08-27T19:51:33Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Surely you don’t want bitter toothpaste? Toothpaste is sweetened to make it palatable, so people will use it. Especially children. No, not bitter just a more neutral flavor. I think I’m really sensitive to toothpaste. Morning brushings usually lead to gagging or coughing that turns into dry heaving. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/29 "2010-08-27T20:35:47Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I use a dab about the size of a pea. More than that confers no benefit. Yeah that’s about how much I use. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/30 "2010-08-27T23:30:08Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > [This is a joke thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12845015&postcount=5). Don’t waste your time looking up cites. It’s not a joke thread, it’s a test thread. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/31 "2010-08-27T23:43:53Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I wish there was more diversity in flavours, too - mint, mint or mint, what’s your pleasure? I’d like a nice, orange-flavoured toothpaste - I love orange flavouring. > > ETA: Except then they’d make it orange-mint, like all the damned gum. Have you tried the Aquafresh brand of “orange?” Hate, hate, hate mint toothpaste (and gum, etc.). Love, love, love this Aquafresh. Although they don’t clearly identify the flavor it’s called \*Extreme Clean - Deep \*Action. I accidently bought mint a couple of times and ended up giving it away. Now I open the tube and smell it to make sure I’m getting the right one. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Why](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/96bed5/32.png) [@Doctor\_Why](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Why)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/32 "2010-08-28T01:07:38Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I wish there was more diversity in flavours I recently have used “orange” flavored toothpaste and “cinnamon”. The orange was pretty tasty, kind of like orange Tic-Tacs. The cinnamon was like brushing with generic cinnamon candies and I didn’t much care for it. Both of them were name-brand toothpastes that are widely available. I simply can’t remember which brand. Still, I could go for more flavors. > [@descamisado](#): > > Although they don’t clearly identify the flavor. I don’t remember which brand of orange I bought, but it was clearly labeled as orange flavored. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/33 "2010-08-28T01:16:05Z")
Then it wasn’t Aquafresh because I was looking at the toothpaste when I typed my post. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/34 "2010-08-28T01:37:39Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > > [@needscoffee](#): > > > > [This is a joke thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12845015&postcount=5). Don’t waste your time looking up cites. > > It’s not a joke thread, it’s a test thread. Anyway, regardless of what an OP’s intent is, if people feel like engaging the subject, why shouldn’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/35 "2010-08-28T03:20:58Z")
I see that Aquafresh’s citrus is, indeed, citrus mint. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/36 "2010-08-28T03:44:43Z")
I like the orange-mango Whole Care from Tom’s of Maine. It still has a teeny bit of minty background, but much less than any other toothpaste I’ve tried. It definitely has citrus oil in it. There’s also a cinnamon-clove that’s nice. I haven’t tried any child-flavors though. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/37 "2010-08-28T20:16:42Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I see that Aquafresh’s citrus is, indeed, citrus mint. ☹ It tastes nothing like mint. They must have put that in there for the hardliners. If you’re actually looking for an orange-y toothpaste that does not smell or taste like mint, check it out for yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/38 "2010-08-30T15:22:39Z")
> [@descamisado](#): > > Have you tried the Aquafresh brand of “orange?” I dated a guy once that had one of those orange-flavored toothpastes. Now, objectively, I like orange flavoring quite a bit, but there was something deeply unsettling about brushing with it–like I was cleaning my teeth with orange soda. Ick. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/39 "2010-08-30T17:47:37Z")
Also, wouldn’t the citric acid from oranges be bad for your teeth? ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575/40 "2010-08-30T17:51:53Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > Also, wouldn’t the citric acid from oranges be bad for your teeth? Good thing there aren’t oranges in orange-flavored toothpaste/soda. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toothpaste/551575.md?page=3)