WELCOME to the brave new world of dental care products made and designed for clean and green living.
There are many brands of toothpaste, dental floss and toothbrush based on Asian wellness practices.
There’s a toothpaste, for example, that contains what the brand called nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) and Korean medicinal bamboo salt which, it is claimed, remineralizes the teeth, prevents sensitivity and promotes healthy gums and fresh breath.
The toothpaste contains xylitol which, it is claimed, removes harmful bacteria. It also has pine tree oil which, its manufacturers say, prevents inflammation and pain from infections.
True to its role as a clean and green product, the toothpaste is packed in a recyclable tube.
The toothpaste costs $18, the dental floss $14.
Care for charcoal toothpaste for pearly white teeth? It also eliminates bad breath, or so it is said.
Or natural mint flavor for “tastier” brushing? How about tea tree oil for anti-bacteria, anti-fungus action that is all-natural?
There’s a dental floss made of biodegradable silk coated with roasted Korean bamboo salt, beeswax and hydroxyapatite; the latter is a natural mineral.
The floss, packaged in a glass container – and not plastic – cleans the teeth of debris missed by a toothbrush.
Then there’s a toothbrush made of bamboo.
One brand says the average person use about 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime. Now that’s a lot of plastic if you ask me.
To eliminate the use of non-recyclable toothpaste tubes, there’s tablet toothpaste.
Coconut oil is being sold nowadays as a natural moisturizer for healthy gums.
A “farm-to-mouth” peppermint oil is supposed to smell good, freshens breath and keeps bacteria at bay.
Calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are being touted as one of nature’s gentle ways to remove tooth stains.
Aloe vera is a natural herb that’s supposed to calm sensitive gums.
You may have noticed that all the effectiveness of the above products are mentioned with the disclaimer ‘’or so it is claimed’’.
We use the phrase lest we be accused of promoting products, or advertising claims that may have no approved therapeutic effects.
We suggest that you consult the Department of Health’s Food and Drug Administration and its website for a list of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products that have been cleared for sale in the Philippines.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the UE College of Dentistry, former Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, past president and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy, and honorary fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists. Honorary Life Member of Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./PN
