9 Toothpaste Flavors Other Than Mint
By Ashley Ess in Healthy Feeling
Mint. It's the dominant flavor in most toothpastes. Sure, we've all seen the bubblegum and fruit-flavored toothpastes popular among kids' brands—but why should kids have all the fun? If you're ready for a change from the old standby, here's a little-known secret: you have options for toothpaste flavors other than mint, too. There's an array of flavored toothpaste for adults out there. Thanks to some creative toothpaste enthusiasts thinking outside the mint-laden box, some of your favorite culinary flavors might just be the new star of your oral care routine.
Here are nine unique toothpaste flavors that you may not have heard of.
1. Chocolate
Not exactly a go-to when it comes to oral care—largely due to its sugar content—chocolate breaks the mold as a toothpaste flavoring. Chocolate toothpaste is undoubtedly uncommon in the dental hygiene world. It's also not likely to be recommended by your dentist. Although toothpaste companies don't use sugar in their formulas, flavors like chocolate may use artificial sweeteners to enhance their likeness to the real deal.
2. Bacon
Bacon flavored toothpaste, anyone? Believe it or not—it exists. Bacon flavored toothpaste uses artificial bacon flavor to achieve its novel taste. As much as you might love bacon, the thought of bacon toothpaste may leave you wondering how fresh your mouth will feel after brushing. Unless you're willing to give up that clean mouthfeel for a smoky, meaty aftertaste, this one might be best left to a gag gift (pun intended).
3. Lemon
Lemon may not be at the forefront of your mind when searching for new toothpaste flavors, but it does have a penchant for making things fresh and squeaky clean—so, why not try it on your teeth? With its fresh, punchy flavor, lemon toothpaste can be a great alternative if you're looking for toothpaste flavors other than mint.
4. Wasabi
This one is a real kicker. Wasabi is now more than just a sushi accompaniment—it's also available as a toothpaste flavor. If you're a wasabi lover, you can achieve that oft-desired mouth-on-fire effect outside of the sushi bar and in the comfort of your own bathroom.
5. Cinnamon Clove
Cinnamon clove toothpaste is a great alternative to cool flavors like peppermint and spearmint. While not as hot as wasabi, cinnamon is warming, which can switch up the minty cooling effect of your more typical toothpastes. It's also a perfect seasonal pick for autumn and winter months. Tom's of Maine Cinnamon Clove Toothpaste is naturally flavored with ingredients such as cinnamon leaves and bark—an added benefit if you want to avoid artificially flavored toothpastes.
6. Coffee
This flavor is perhaps a bit harder to track down, but it's out there. If you're a coffee lover, you may delight in knowing that you no longer need to combat the lingering taste of mint while you savor your morning cup of joe.
7. Culinary Inspired
Basil, curry, and ginger aren't just for culinary dishes! Made with naturally derived ingredients, these are three possible—albeit unusual—toothpaste flavors to add to your routine. If you love the herbal freshness of basil, the complexity of Indian spices, or the warmth of ginger, consider adding one (or all) of these to your cache of oral care products.
8. Fennel
According to a clinical study published in the Indian Journal of Dental Research, chewing fennel seeds increases the pH of your saliva, which can help to prevent tooth decay. With its licorice-like taste, fennel toothpaste is also a refreshing alternative to mint flavors. Tom's of Maine Propolis and Myrrh Toothpaste in fennel uses herbal resins to fight plaque and freshen breath.
9. Fruit
While you deserve to have fun, too, this list wouldn't be complete without including unique toothpaste flavors other than mint for kids. Aside from common flavors such as strawberry, there are many lesser-known fruit flavors that would make any kid smile. Consider watermelon, grape, mixed berry, and blueberry for starters. Tom's of Maine Outrageous Orange Mango Toothpaste is another tasty pick, and it uses calcium and silica to clean teeth with naturally derived ingredients. This is a great alternative to flavors such as bubblegum and cupcake, which may contain artificial flavoring and sweeteners.
Natural vs. Artificial Flavoring
As you can see, flavors may exist in many forms, and manufacturers rely on flavor to satisfy their customers' needs. That's where your choice between natural versus artificial flavor comes in.
Natural flavors are derived from the Earth's resources, such as plants, fruits, and roots. Artificial flavors, on the other hand, are created in a lab by chemists who aim to mimic natural flavors or invent new ones. If you're looking to keep your oral care routine as natural as possible, you may prefer products that use herbal extracts or naturally derived flavors.
A Quick Note on Sweeteners
With all the unique toothpaste flavors out there, the most important thing is supporting your dental health. One factor to consider is which sweeteners are used in your products. For example, commercial brands often rely on artificial sweeteners such as saccharin. Many natural brands use stevia and xylitol to sweeten their formulas—ingredients that don't cause plaque or damage teeth.
If you want to learn more about how natural sweeteners work, get the most common questions about xylitol answered here.
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Why It's Good
With so many toothpaste flavors on the market, there's a naturally flavored alternative for every taste preference.