Toothpaste with mix-ins
The state of toothpaste is … well, it’s as if Crest and Colgate and the rest get their ideas from fifth graders. Unless you want plain old peppermint flavor, you’ve got to put up with all the marketing gimmicks. I’m surprised they don’t make toothpaste with Nerds or Gummi Bears mixed in. I happen to not like peppermint toothpaste that much, so I do what I can.
Spearmint, which has long been my paste of choice, seems to be increasingly difficult to find. Crest makes a flavor called Cinnamon Rush, and I enjoy that quite a bit. It tastes like it’s made from Red Hots. But even that is becoming difficult to find. Colgate makes a cinnamon flavor, but it’s not as good. And it has what they call “mini breath strips” mixed in. The huh? What do you need breath strips for if you’re brushing your teeth? I don’t know how many times I rinsed my mouth after brushing only to find several pieces of mini breath strip confetti stuck to my lips.
I tried a lemon flavor, which I think was made by Crest. Sounded appealing at the time. It wasn’t. I’ve been using orange flavor Listerine (the Target brand, actually), which tastes pretty good. So, I decided to try out Crest’s Orange Blast or Citrus or whatever they call it toothpaste. It happens to have Scope mixed in. And again, what’s the point of the Scope? It’s good to use mouthwash; I’m okay with that. But Scope? It’s not even like it kills germs or bacteria like Listerine does. Lame.
Anyway, the flavor is good, but the Scope makes it significantly less viscous. I forget all the time and nearly squeeze out half the tube because it flows so readily. It’s like brushing my teeth with foam rather than paste.
One last positive note. I’m a pretty messy toothbrusher, and for some reason with Crest plus Scope, I end up with less mess. No complaints there.
January 24, 2006 at 4:43 pm
i still don’t understand the lemon choice. befuddling.
i’m all about my extreme clean. the mintier, the better. it foams though…so it’s super messy…but that’s what makes brushing fun. that…and i roam around the house when i brush. standstill brushing is overrated.
January 24, 2006 at 4:49 pm
I don’t think you understand how messy a brusher I am. I have to lean over the sink, otherwise I have toothpaste foam dripping down all over my chin. Roaming isn’t a good option for me.
January 24, 2006 at 4:56 pm
oh…i understand. i always have it all over my face and dripping down my chin. i roam anyway…but then when it gets dangerous…i put my hand under my chin and run to the bathroom. :)
January 24, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Haha. Nice.
January 24, 2006 at 5:21 pm
okay…all over my face is an exaggeration…you’re probably much messier. but still, you should try it…it’s liberating.
January 24, 2006 at 9:00 pm
If you like cinnamon toothpaste, for my money it’s all about Close-Up. It looks generic, but it’s work pretty well. Also, for mouthwash, you should try Cepacol. Supposedly it’s just as good as Listerine but without the alcohol. But, if you’re a Listerine fan, you probably like the burn.
My cinnamon phase is over, though. Now it’s all about Crest regular paste. I use a straight head, medium bristle toothbrush and normal old non-waxed floss. I’m getting back to the dental basics.
January 25, 2006 at 10:21 am
Tara, I’ll have to try it on a Saturday. I think the difference between you and I (well, one of them) is that your mornings are usually less hurried than mine. This morning, for example, I got out of bed ten minutes before I needed to leave for the train. So, I had time to get dressed, eat cereal and run out the door. I brushed my teeth when I got to work. Yes, it’s my fault that they’re so hurried, but I don’t see that changing till winter is over or I get a dawn-simulating alarm clock, whichever comes first.
Mike, good to see you’re posting again. I used to use Gleem toothpaste, so I’m not afraid of things that look generic. I’ll have to give Close-Up a closer look. (Ba dum dum) I don’t see myself leaving Listerine any time soon, though. I love the burn.
January 25, 2006 at 1:08 pm
my mom bought this vanilla flavored toothpaste. I was a little surprised, but it’s alright. it’s definitely milder than all those varities of mint.
my roommate used to ingest all her toothpaste foam. for some reason it sounds gross, even though i did it all the time as a kid.
January 25, 2006 at 1:15 pm
you know what? the fact that you don’t have time to brush your teeth before you leave the house but still make a point of doing it when you get to work earns big points for you. most men would just not brush…and that’s just wrong. i am quite proud of you. oh, and i’m proud of you for oversleeping too. :)
January 25, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Jasmine, I’ve seen that vanilla toothpaste, and I’ve been avoiding it.
Tara, glad you approve. :)
January 27, 2006 at 3:37 pm
OH! i have another toothbrushing story for you. i don’t think i told you this one. you know how anal i am about oral hygiene and brushing? well, that night i got asked out by gavin…first time i’ve ever been asked out…well…that day, I FORGOT TO BRUSH MY TEETH! and then i thought, “gross…but…ironic…maybe i’m on to something?” i’m still gonna brush though…no matter what. :)
January 31, 2006 at 9:49 pm
Hahahha. I bet I’m a messier toothbrusher than you. I’m the messiest toothbrusher I know. I can’t brush my teeth upright, either (well actually I don’t know because I haven’t tried it)– I have to hunch over the sink as well. The thing is, though, that I judge a toothpaste solely on foam quantity. The foamier, the better. Otherwise I don’t feel like my teeth are getting as clean. Unfoamy toothpaste is like soap that doesn’t lather.
February 4, 2006 at 4:17 pm
Tara, brushing is good. You shouldn’t have to quit.
Nancy, sometimes I wonder if half the messiness problem is caused by hunching over.