Why Is Toothpaste Usually Mint-Flavored?
Scour the dental products aisle in your local grocery store or pharmacy, and you’re likely to find an array of mint-flavored pastes, mouthwashes, and floss. It makes sense this flavor would be the go-to choice for oral care as it does leave the mouth feeling refreshed and clean. Is there more behind the dental industry’s collective love for mint than personal preference?
The Story Behind Mint-Flavored Toothpaste
Mint’s First Use
The first appearance of mint in dental hygiene dates back to the 4th century A.D. when an Egyptian toothpaste recipe was created. It called for a blend of dried iris petals, salt, pepper, and mint. Since then, people throughout history have used a wide array of ingredients to clean their teeth, including pumice, crushed eggshells, honey, tree bark, and rye; however, none left the same refreshing coolness as mint.
Mint’s Big Break
While the presence of mint in oral care may have first appeared centuries earlier, it wasn’t until the early 1900s that mint became mainstream. Toothbrushing wasn’t popular until the idea was pitched by the marketing executive behind Pepsodent©. In Pepsodent©’s advertisements, the dental product promised to remove the film on the tooth’s surface and leave behind a clean, cool sensation. The coolness is a result of the menthol found in mint oil.
Mint Today
Not long after toothpaste was created, several breath-freshening products featuring mint, including Listerine© and Lifesavers©, were developed to help consumers combat halitosis. While a host of other flavors still make appearances on shelves, it’s clear that consumers continue to favor mint dental products. This could be attributed to mint’s interaction with sensory neurons in the mouth, resulting in the cooling sensation we’ve come to associate with fresh breath.
No matter which flavor of dental products you prefer, brushing and flossing at home is only one aspect of preventive dental care. The office of Kathleen Kujiraoka, DDS, can help you with the rest. Located in Kaneohe, HI, this dental care practice is committed to helping patients achieve long-term oral wellness through individualized treatments and advanced technology. Browse through their available treatments online or call (808) 235-2121 to schedule an appointment.
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