There is a history to toothpastes, which goes back four centuries or so. It was not until the mid 19th century, when abrasives were used to get teeth cleaned, and they were a far cry from what we call toothpastes today. In those days, people were more bothered about getting stains away from their teeth, and that’s why the use of harsh and very toxic formulas at times were used to achieve that flashy pearly white set of teeth.
What is in a Tube?
Toothpaste is used by us everyday, sometimes twice in twenty four hours, which is the normal. What we find in our daily toothpaste are the following;
- Binders
- Abrasives
- Sudsers
- Humectants
- Flavors
- Sweeteners
- Fluorides
- Tooth whiteners
- Preservatives
- Water
- Binders
- Karaya gum
- Bentonite
- Sodium alginate
- Methylcellulose
- Carrageenan
- Magnesium aluminum silicate
In fact, toothpastes are used with flavors to suit the human palate. And coincidently mint is the most used, and why? This is because freshness is more felt here than with any other flavor, say consumers. It is a long term feeling and event he toothpaste industry knows the benefits of using herbs such as mint in it; hence they have conditioned the consumer to think alike.
Most consumers have decided on mint as a flavor because of the same reason, and moreover the herb mint has oils in it which helps make the inners of the mouth nice and fresh, especially in climes that are hot and humid. This action helps with cooling of the mouth, and the flavors of mint, come in many varieties, such as;
- Spearmint
- Peppermint
Why Toothpaste Companies Use Mint
The toothpaste companies know their products very well and condition the consumers to think on the same lines when buying a tube, which is good, because mint has a lot of properties to heal. So why not start the day with a healing touch?
The oil from mint is made from various mint plant species, which is used in toothpastes. They all have properties different from one another, but the common thing amongst them is that they help the body and not only the mouth when used correctly.
For example;
- Mint oil used in any form (toothpaste in this case) helps the respiratory tract clear. Mucous is broken down and removed, and the oil helps in clearing the congestion too.
- Did you know that the bacteria and germs within the mouth are the biggest culprits to all our ailments and diseases? And when spearmint oil is used (toothpastes in this case), it helps kill them. Even your facial skin and acne issues would have respite, because of the astringent action it gives.
- A little mint oil everyday helps with digestives issues go away. Both oils can be orally used through toothpaste, that’s it.
Freshness And Mint
- Oral odor is a pain and when you know you have it, you have got to do something about it. This is where the oil of mint in any form, especially with toothpastes acts as a savior. The volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth blamed for the odor is killed. The mouth would be fresh for a long time and the mint oil does its job well.
- Toothpaste of any make and brand can or cannot clean teeth effectively say experts. Plaque can be removed through regular flossing and brushing, but what about the freshness which stays long lasting. Mint oils help the fluoride of the teeth to last long and they help kill any hurdles that comes it way.
- There is a compound in mint oils known as Menthol, which brings about the flavor and freshness in the toothpaste when used. In the toothpaste the flavoring agent is Menthyl, Menthofuran and even Pulegone. Experts say, even Cineole found in the oil helps with dissolving mucous issues and treats lung issues too.
Hence we can safely say, mint is the preferred choice because of the various healing properties it has. No wonder companies manufacturing mint toothpastes bank on this USP to sell their products effectively to consumers around the world.