When you get your teeth cleaned, you probably walk out into the world with a fresh, minty breath. Have you ever wondered who decided that mint is the most popular flavor for all dental products? In today’s blog from Parkcrest Dental Group, we’ll examine how and why this came to be.
The History of Toothpaste
First thing’s first, when was toothpaste invented? That’s a tricky question, as people have been using something to aid in cleaning their teeth for centuries. However, toothpaste as we know it was invented in the early 1900s. The initial product featured the mint flavor we know and love today.
Does Mint Have Health Benefits?
One of the common misconceptions about mint is that there is a health benefit or a scientific reason. While there are scientific reasons, there aren’t any proven health benefits to mint flavoring. Yes, mint oil itself can have health benefits like anti-inflammatory and nerve-calming properties. However, the small amount of mint oil used in toothpaste is far too small to see any of these benefits.
Minty Fresh Feeling
Back to the scientific backing, there are reasons mint is preferable to consumers everywhere. To avoid the snooze-worthy technical terms, mint appeals to the sensors in the mouth. The sensor that reacts to cold temperatures also reacts to mint. Essentially, the presence of mint in the mouth mimics the sensation of something cold in the mouth.
This is because of one key ingredient: menthol. There is a high content of menthol in mint flavoring, which creates that icy cold sensation. It tricks the brain into feeling like the mouth just took a gulp of ice water, which feels cool and refreshing. It’s the presence of menthol that tricks the sensors in the mouth, more than the mint flavoring itself.
While it feels so familiar to us now, the way the cool feeling and cleanliness go hand-in-hand when it comes to toothpaste. This was a concept created by the Pepsodent company. In an early ad campaign, the company promised that their toothpaste, which happened to be mint-flavored, actually yielded a higher level of cleanliness than any other brand. Combined with the pioneering of mint oil in toothpaste, this narrative created the correlation between mint and a clean mouth.
Talk to Parkcrest Dental Group
If you are experiencing any dental issues , seek medical help immediately. If you don’t have a dentist, contact Parkcrest Dental today or call (417) 887-1220. We would love to partner with you in better oral hygiene.
