Davids blog
the sensitivity solution: how hydroxyapatite can help teeth prone to pain
Do you feel like your teeth are just more sensitive than others? That you’re doomed to deal with uncomfortable sensitivity for the rest of your life? Well, we’re here to give you something to smile about. Not only are we exploring the reasons you might be predisposed to sensitivity, but we’re also reminding you of a critical solution to your sensitivity: hydroxyapatite toothpaste. By addressing sensitivity at the source, nano hydroxyapatite is changing the game for sensitive mouths. No matter the cause (as you read on, you’ll discover there are many), hydroxyapatite is here to provide you with long-term enamel repair and tooth sensitivity relief. genetics’ role in tooth sensitivity Did you know that sensitive teeth can be genetic? Dental pain can range from a minor nuisance to severely debilitating, and genes can play a role in where you fall on this spectrum. Specific genes influence the development of nerve pathways, where pain signals travel from your tooth to your brain. These nerve pathways can differ from person to person, influencing how much tooth pain they feel throughout their day, when they brush, or even during dental procedures (which is why some might require more numbing than others). A common representation of this is redheads! Some research indicates that redheads might be more sensitive to pain, including tooth sensitivity. This is because red hair comes from a mutation to a receptor gene that’s connected to your pain response. Research also suggests that redheads might be less responsive to local anesthetics used in dentistry, and they’re twice as likely to avoid dental work due to bad experiences. Not to fear! If you suspect you’re genetically predisposed to sensitive teeth, just be sure to tell your dentist in advance to avoid bad experiences. You can also brush with hydroxyapatite toothpaste to nurture strong, healthy enamel and provide tooth sensitivity relief. hormonal changes and sensitive teeth Hormones can also play a large role in tooth/gum sensitivity. As an example, estrogen and progesterone increase during pregnancy, which can cause inflammation in your gums, increase blood flow and volume to your mouth, and affect how your body responds to the bacteria in your mouth. All of these factors can make your teeth and gums more sensitive. On the opposite end, decreased hormone production during menopause can lead to dry mouth, decreased bone density, thinning mouth tissue, and weakened enamel. All of these things can lead to uncomfortable tooth (and overall mouth) sensitivity. During times of hormonal changes (from puberty to pregnancy and beyond), it’s important to add our hydroxyapatite toothpaste into your oral care routine to nurture strong enamel, reduce sensitivity, and fight bad bacteria for a healthy mouth. daily habits that may cause sensitive teeth Alongside genetics and hormones, your daily habits can play a huge role in causing/relieving sensitivity. From your diet to how hard you press on your toothbrush, there are so many things that can impact the sensitivity of your teeth. Here are a few! poor oral care habits: plaque buildup and tartar (hardened plaque) are among the most common causes of sensitivity! If you’re not properly brushing and flossing with effective toothpaste (like our hydroxyapatite toothpaste), plaque can remain on your enamel and damage, causing sensitivity. aggressive brushing: brushing too hard, especially with a medium-to-hard bristle toothbrush can erode your enamel. This exposes the sensitive layers beneath and the tubules that lead to your tooth’s ultra-sensitive center nerve. Our bamboo toothbrush is made with high-performance soft bristles to reveal an effective clean without harmful pressure. Our hydroxyapatite toothpaste works to repair damaged enamel and relieve sensitivity by delivering essential fortifying minerals and nutrients that bind to your teeth for long-term benefits. teeth grinding: just like aggressive brushing, teeth grinding can also wear down your enamel over time. Because teeth grinding is often a subconscious habit that occurs during sleep, it can be harder to identify and address. Be sure to take note if you’re waking up with jaw pain, tension headaches, and increased sensitivity in the morning. To understand the causes of teeth grinding and how nano hydroxyapatite can help, check out our previous article here. eating acidic or sugary foods: did you grow up eating/drinking sugary substances? Do you love lemons, limes, coffee, or wine? Over time, these things can weaken your enamel, also exposing the pathways to your tooth’s center nerve. Without repairing that enamel with powerful minerals like nano hydroxyapatite, these foods and drinks can lead to long-term sensitivity. whitening with peroxides: using peroxide mouthwash or whitening strips, gels, and foams can cause sensitivity after a single use. This is because peroxides release damaging free radicals as they work, causing discomfort for your gums, enamels, and mouth tissue. If you’re experiencing sudden tooth sensitivity out of nowhere, it could result from a lingering dental issue (like a cracked tooth or cavity) or even sinus pressure. When you’re sick or experiencing allergies, the inflammation in your sinuses can increase the pressure on your teeth, resulting in sudden sensitivity. solve your sensitivity with Davids hydroxyapatite toothpaste When you use our hydroxyapatite toothpaste daily, you can smile bright knowing you’re providing relief for your sensitive teeth by nurturing strong, healthy enamel. Unlike other sensitive toothpastes that use chemicals to numb your teeth and gums, our hydroxyapatite toothpaste delivers enamel repair and tooth sensitivity relief at the source. Because hydroxyapatite makes up the foundation of your enamel and dentin (the layer right below), the nano hydroxyapatite particles in our toothpaste can penetrate your enamel, bind to it, and fill any holes or imperfections that might expose your tooth’s center nerve. The result is a truly healthier, less sensitive smile. If you feel like you’re someone who has surrendered to having more sensitive teeth than everyone else, give our hydroxyapatite toothpaste a try! It might just be the thing you’ve been seeking to achieve that healthy, comfortable smile. buy now.
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is hydroxyapatite safe? why this superhero is the best choice for the whole family
Hydroxyapatite has become oral care’s newest hero ingredient, and for good reason. As it continues to gain popularity for adults and children alike, it’s natural to wonder.... is hydroxyapatite safe? With all the remineralizing power of fluoride (and none of the potential unwanted side effects), we assure you that hydroxyapatite is safe and effective. Grab your favorite flavor (mint or orange vanilla?) and get excited about a safe, out-of-this-world oral care routine for the whole family! what is hydroxyapatite? Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral mainly made up of phosphorus and calcium. It already exists in your body, forming the foundations of your bones and teeth. In fact, hydroxyapatite makes up about 65–70% of healthy bones and 95-97% of healthy enamel. When we talk about hydroxyapatite in the context of oral care, you’ll often hear us refer to it as nano-hydroxyapatite. The version of hydroxyapatite you’ll find in your toothpaste is biomimetic, meaning it mimics the makeup and function of the hydroxyapatite inside your body. Nano-hydroxyapatite is simply teeny tiny particles of regular hydroxyapatite. We infuse these tiny particles into our oral care products for effective enamel remineralization. The nano-particles effortlessly bind to your enamel, penetrating the surface to fill any holes, scratches, or other imperfections to reveal stronger teeth that are more protected against bacteria, plaque, gum disease, sensitivity, and tooth decay progression. Because hydroxyapatite already exists in your teeth, it’s an ideal ingredient when it comes to enamel remineralization. When it enters your oral microbiome, it feels at home, and it knows exactly what to do! So, what is hydroxyapatite? It’s an oral care superhero! is hydroxyapatite safe? Not only is hydroxyapatite effective, it’s extremely safe! Because it already exists in your body, there’s absolutely no risk of over-ingestion (this is not the case for fluoride, which we’ll cover in the next section). It’s biomimetic, biocompatible, and non-toxic, and if that sounds like a bunch of jargon, we understand. Let’s take a closer look at what these words mean. biomimetic: as mentioned above, this just means that the nano-hydroxyapatite in your toothpaste mimics the material naturally found in your teeth and bones. biocompatible: this means that hydroxyapatite will function without any unplanned side effects, and it will not cause any harm when it comes in contact with your body. non-toxic: similar to biocompatible, non-toxic means hydroxyapatite does not contain any harmful chemicals, and it will not pose any danger or unwanted symptoms. So, is hydroxyapatite safe? Absolutely, it’s safe for adults, pregnant women, and children who haven’t yet mastered the art of tooth brushing. Hydroxyapatite brings you 100% benefits and 0% harm. What’s not to love? hydroxyapatite vs fluoride Now, we’ve covered why hydroxyapatite is a safe choice for kids and adults, but how does that compare to the long-time oral care superstar: fluoride? First things first, let's peek at the history of these two ingredients. Fluoride gained popularity in 1945 when a city in Michigan began adding fluoride to its drinking water in an effort to reduce tooth decay...and it worked! Ever since then, it’s been the go-to ingredient for remineralization, and the main ticket for an ADA stamp of approval. A few decades later in 1970, NASA began to use hydroxyapatite as a supplement for their astronauts. After returning from low-gravity environments, hydroxyapatite supplementation helped astronauts successfully strengthen their teeth and bones. Shortly after that, hydroxyapatite found its way into commercial toothpaste. (And it’s remained the gold standard for oral care in Japan ever since.) Although fluoride has stolen the oral care spotlight in the US, recent research proves that it’s just as effective as (if not more effective than) fluoride at remineralizing your enamel. This 2019 study compared hydroxyapatite toothpaste with two fluoride toothpastes, concluding that hydroxyapatite is a safe, effective substitute. This 2019 study concluded hydroxyapatite oral care products might be safer for kids prone to dental caries. This 2020 study reveals that hydroxyapatite remineralizes dental caries as effectively as fluoride. This 2022 study confirms that hydroxyapatite products are a safe alternative to fluoride for young children at risk of fluorosis (which we’ll discuss in a moment). And that’s just a few of the many studies! When it comes to hydroxyapatite vs fluoride, the main difference is that fluoride is not considered biocompatible, meaning it can be toxic and harmful when ingested in large amounts. When you ingest too much fluoride through water, food, and oral care products, it can lead to fluorosis. what is fluorosis? Dental fluorosis is an unwanted side effect that occurs when you consume too much fluoride, causing white and/or brown speckles to form on your teeth. It typically occurs when children over-consume fluoride in their early years when their permanent teeth are still developing. While the condition is not harmful to your overall health, it’s certainly not desirable. Beyond dental fluorosis, ongoing research suggests that serious fluoride toxicity can cause long-term harm, and the thought of that alone is enough for us to turn to hydroxyapatite instead. With hydroxyapatite, you don’t have to worry about fluoride toxicity for you or your little ones! Your kids are free to accidentally swallow hydroxyapatite without worry, and we think that peace of mind is well worth challenging the oral care norms. best hydroxyapatite toothpaste At Davids, we have two delicious, effective hydroxyapatite toothpaste options for the whole family. For mint lovers, our original sensitive+whitening nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste is the perfect option. It’s formulated with premium mint oils for the perfect invigorating flavor and all of the effective remineralization powers of our nano-hydroxyapatite particles. In fact, our third-party lab testing showed it outperformed leading sensitive toothpastes, remineralizing and repairing enamel to reduce sensitivity more effectively than Apagard Premio, Boka, Colgate Sensitive, Risewell, Sensodyne Pronamel, and Toms Sensitive. Our NEW orange vanilla hydroxyapatite toothpaste for kids + adults is perfect for those looking for a juicy, mouthwatering alternative to mint. It’s made with the same nano-hydroxyapatite particles (and other effective ingredients) as the option above, we just replaced our premium mint oils with naturally sourced fruit flavors. So whether you’re craving cool mint or fruity orange vanilla, get the whole family brushing with these deliciously effective hydroxyapatite toothpaste options. And feel peace of mind knowing each formula nurtures strong, healthy teeth in the safest way. buy now.
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why kids love fruity toothpaste and how our formulas nurture healthy, sweet smiles
It’s no secret that kids can be finicky with flavors. If you have a picky eater or a little one who hates brushing their teeth, you’ve experienced this first hand. When it comes to toothpaste, it turns out that flavor isn’t just a preference, it has a psychological component too! Kids not only prefer fruity toothpaste over a minty (or as they might say, “spicy”) flavor, but these mild juicy flavors actually serve as a source of comfort for them. At a time when you’re building healthy oral care foundations, this comfort is essential. Adults, can you relate? If you’re looking for a refreshing alternative to mint, our fruity toothpaste is perfect for grown-ups too. In two mouthwatering flavors made with naturally sourced and derived ingredients, our fruity toothpaste options are just as effective as they are delicious, making them a sweet and smart choice for the whole family. why kids prefer fruity toothpaste... and why it’s so important Children’s taste buds are very different from adults (they’ve had much less time to evolve), making them highly sensitive to bold flavors like bitterness, sourness, and mintiness. In the world of oral care, this sensitivity becomes extremely important. If you have children, you might already know that brushing can seem like such a chore to them, invoking questions like, “Why do I have to do this every day? What’s the point? Why, why, why?” When you’re already fighting an uphill battle with kids' oral care, it’s natural to want to keep friction as low as possible. That’s where delicious, fruity toothpaste comes in, as it won’t intimidate them or shock their taste buds. As we mentioned above, flavor isn’t just a preference for kids. It’s a matter of comfort. Mild, fruity, familiar flavors can help them feel at ease (and even excited), making them more likely to want to brush their teeth and build solid oral care foundations from a young age. In fact, a 2020 survey of 787 children revealed that 50% of them wanted their toothpaste to taste sweet while only 20% preferred minty. When asked about smell, 41% opted for fruity, 23% said sweet, and 18% chose minty. The response is clear: kids prefer fruity toothpaste, and we’re happy to offer two delicious adult and kid-friendly flavors at Davids. our strawberry watermelon flavored toothpaste Our very first fruity toothpaste is our premium kids + adults strawberry watermelon flavored toothpaste. It’s formulated with mouthwatering natural strawberry and watermelon flavors for sweetness, ultra-fine micro abrasives to scrub away plaque, baking soda and xylitol for fresh breath and a healthy pH, vegetable glycerin for ideal moisture, and other intentional ingredients for a healthy, happy mouth. As with any of our toothpaste options, this formula is free of artificial flavors, preservatives, colors, and sweeteners. The sweetness comes from the natural fruit flavors, coconut oil, birch-derived xylitol, and stevia leaf extract, so you can feel good giving your little ones a fruity toothpaste made with premium ingredients derived from nature. The coconut oil and xylitol actually play a larger role than just flavor. Coconut oil is shown to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and a 2016 study found that it’s just as effective as chlorhexidine (a chemical antiseptic) in the reduction of S. mutans (a bacteria known to contribute to tooth decay). And a 2012 study found that xylitol can reduce different types of bad bacteria by 27-75% (depending on the species of bacteria), making it the perfect sweet ingredient for highly effective, fruity toothpaste! our creamy orange flavored toothpaste Our NEWEST orange vanilla hydroxyapatite toothpaste is another amazing fruity toothpaste option to add to your kids’ oral care lineup! This creamy orange flavored toothpaste is formulated with natural flavors (zero artificial flavors, preservatives, colors, and sweeteners) just like our strawberry watermelon flavored toothpaste. On top of incredible ingredients like coconut oil, natural flavors, and xylitol, this orange flavored toothpaste is formulated with hydroxyapatite, a hero ingredient for strong enamel! On that note, let’s brush up on some of the incredible benefits of kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste. kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste While fluoride has been an oral care superstar for decades, hydroxyapatite is stealing the spotlight...and rightfully so! Studies show that hydroxyapatite is just as effective as fluoride at remineralizing and strengthening enamel (especially when you start using it young!), but doesn’t have any of the safety concerns that fluoride does. Fluoride can be harmful when ingested in large amounts (usually alongside fluoridated water), which is why you’ll find this concerning warning on the toothpaste tube: “Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.” Who wants a kid's toothpaste that you have to keep out of their reach? Our kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste is safe to swallow, so you don’t have to worry about your little ones getting a hold of it or ingesting too much while they’re getting used to brushing their teeth. Here are a couple of studies that show just how safe and effective kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste is. This 2019 study concluded that hydroxyapatite oral care products may be a better option for kids at a high risk for dental caries since it effectively reduces caries without posing any safety issues. This 2022 study confirms that hydroxyapatite products can be considered as an effective alternative to fluoride for young children who are at a risk of fluorosis (white and brown speckles on teeth from high exposure to fluoride). Just as effective as fluoride with none of the concern? We’ll take it, and we hope you will too! Shop our strawberry watermelon flavored toothpaste and our orange vanilla kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste to help your little one build healthy oral care foundations from the start. These two fruity flavors are adult-friendly too, so you and your kids can bond over loving the same toothpaste! buy now.
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with an endless spool of possibilities, what makes Davids the best floss?
Floss, as we know it, has been around since 1815. That’s over 200 years! Over the centuries, it has remained a central part of oral care, evolving into its own industry full of flosses with different textures, weaves, base materials, coatings, flavors, and beyond. With so many options out there now, how do you know which one is the best floss? As a holistic oral care brand with a mission to bring you the most effective, innovative products, we can assure you that ours is the best floss. We spent a long time deciding every detail of its construction, from the thread count to the type of wax coating, so we’re extra proud to bring you a floss that nurtures your oral and overall health while respecting Mother Nature. Let’s dive into the details! first off, why bother with flossing? Brushing alone only cleans about 70% of your tooth’s surface, leaving 30% of bacteria buildup, plaque, and tartar untouched. That 30% consists of sneaky tight crevices that allow bacteria to thrive, release damaging acids, produce unpleasant smells, and harm your enamel. If you continue to avoid flossing, it might leave you wondering why bad breath and enamel issues persist no matter how diligent you are with your toothbrush. That said, not all flosses are created equal, and not all flossing techniques are effective! So let’s explore why ours is the best floss + tips to get the most out of your flossing routine. our hydroxyapatite floss nurtures strong enamel Unlike many conventional floss options out there, ours is a hydroxyapatite floss, meaning the vegan wax coating is infused with nano-hydroxyapatite particles to deliver essential minerals to those hard-to-reach parts of your teeth. The hydroxyapatite particles in the floss bind to the existing hydroxyapatite particles in your enamel to strengthen your enamel from every angle (especially when paired with our hydroxyapatite toothpaste). This helps to prevent tooth decay, soothe sensitivity, and nurture long-term oral health. Our hydroxyapatite floss is also infused with premium mint oils to help freshen your breath, fight bacteria, and improve your flossing experience. a smooth, strong, and sustainable design for the best floss Our floss is a multifilament polyester strand, meaning it’s woven with over 250 individual strands for maximum strength. The polyester source material comes from recycled water bottles, making it a more sustainable option than the virgin plastic fibers you might find in conventional floss. Although we’re not huge fans of plastic, it’s important to note that non-plastic floss alternatives simply do not function well, as they tend to shred between your teeth and get stuck. We wouldn’t want to leave you with more debris in your teeth than when you started! Our floss also has an expanding design, meaning the fibers can increase the surface area of the floss as you go to effectively grab more plaque and debris for a deeper clean. Our floss is also infused with cocoa butter, allowing it to gently glide between your teeth without hurting your gums. By using intricately woven recycled plastic fibers that expand + a smooth, mineral-infused coating, we’re able to bring you the best floss for your teeth while treading a little bit lighter on the planet. Not to mention, we’ve also designed a refillable floss container to further reduce our waste burden on Mother Nature. ours is a refillable floss We designed our refillable floss system to eliminate single-use plastic dispensers. If everyone in America flossed according to ADA recommendations, about 2.5 billion plastic floss dispensers would make their way to landfills every year. Now, we know not everyone flosses according to ADA recommendations, but as we mentioned in the first section of this article, they absolutely should. If we’re encouraging more people to floss for the sake of their oral and overall health, we want to be sure we’re doing it in a way that preserves the health of our planet too. By making refillable floss, we’re able to reduce plastic waste and save energy. Our floss refills come packaged in compostable wrappers made from renewable wood-pulp cellulose. You can put them in your compost to return to the soil, so they never have to see a landfill. All of our Davids products come packaged in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paperboard packaging, meaning these paper products come from forests that are intentionally grown for this purpose, and we do not contribute to unethical deforestation. add the best floss + techniques to your oral care lineup When it comes to flossing, quality and technique matter. We covered a few reasons why Davids is the best floss, so let’s brush up on proper flossing techniques too! Floss before you brush. If you’re doing it right, flossing dislodges debris and bacteria from your teeth, so you’ll want to brush after to make sure you get rid of them. Slooooooow down. This is one of the best ways to improve your flossing routine, and you can make it a little easier by practicing mindfulness as you floss instead of rushing through the motions. Use about a foot of floss at a time. This might sound like a lot of floss, but it’s important to be able to wrap it around your fingers and change the placement of the floss as you go. This way, you won’t be using the same dirty section of floss for every tooth. Make a U-shape around each tooth. Within each crevice, switch the direction of the U to get each surface. This U-shape will help our expanding floss do its job of scrubbing away pesky microorganisms. Gently slide up and down without pressing too hard. The best floss, like ours, is coated in smooth wax to ensure a gentle glide, but you can also use your fingers/technique to further protect your gums as you move up and down on the tooth’s surface. You can also “hug” the back of your tooth with the floss to make sure you’re getting every surface that brushing might miss! There you have it, the best tips to get the most out of the best floss! Be sure to stock up on floss refills, natural toothpaste, a tongue scraper, and a bamboo toothbrush, so you can always feel prepared to give your mouth the deepest clean possible. buy now.
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five ways to build healthy oral care habits early with kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste
We know that kids don’t always jump for joy when it’s time to brush their teeth, but we’re here to offer support, suggestions, and amazing products to make kids oral care feel easier! In celebration of our brand NEW orange + vanilla hydroxyapatite toothpaste for kids + adults, we’re sharing our top five ways to build healthy oral care habits early. We hope these tips inspire you to make your oral care routine a fun family affair, enjoying the delicious flavor and incredible long-term benefits of our newest addition. 1: introduce kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste early You’ve probably heard that fluoride is essential for kids oral care. This is because fluoride is proven to remineralize teeth and help prevent cavities, which is especially important for children developing healthy teeth (and proper oral care habits). At the same time, young children don’t have full control over swallowing, so they can swallow large amounts of toothpaste. This isn’t great because you’ll notice that fluoride toothpastes contain the message, “Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.” This is where kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste swoops in to provide effective remineralization without the worry. Recent scientific studies and reviews have shown that nano-hydroxyapatite can effectively remineralize enamel the same as (if not better than) fluoride, but it’s non-toxic. In other words, it offers the same benefits without the poison control warning…what could be better? When you introduce nano-hydroxyapatite at an early age, it can start working its remineralizing magic during those early formative years. 2: lead by example Check out our previous article, our top five tips for becoming your children's oral health role model. One new, effective way you can lead by example is by using our orange + vanilla hydroxyapatite toothpaste for kids + adults! When your little ones see that you’re using the same paste as them (twice daily for two minutes each time), they might be more inclined to do the same. You can also explain the following benefits of our adult + kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste. juicy mouthwatering natural flavor: this one speaks for itself once you try it! nano-hydroxyapatite superpowers: this tasty orange + vanilla toothpaste contains special hydroxyapatite particles that grab onto your teeth and strengthen them from the inside out. They give your teeth a daily dose of essential minerals to form a “shield” against the bad guys (bacteria, acids, microorganisms, and plaque). safe + clean ingredients: you can tell your little ones that our kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste avoids fluoride and SLS, two ingredients that are known to cause irritation and unwanted side effects in some cases. recyclable metal tube: as a family, you’re avoiding contributing to the 1+ billion plastic toothpaste tubes that end up in American landfills every year! 98% USA-origin ingredients: many toothpaste brands say that their toothpaste is made in the USA even when they source their ingredients from overseas. Our kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste (and all of our toothpastes for that matter) contain 98% USA-origin ingredients, and these ingredients are always of premium quality. it’s a USDA-certified biobased product: this means that our kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste avoids conventional petroleum-derived ingredients but performs as well (if not better) than its petroleum-containing counterparts. This makes our orange + vanilla toothpaste a better option for you, your little ones, and the planet! You know what they say, “Monkey see, monkey do.” The best way to lead by example is to stay on top of your own oral care routine! 3: make brushing fun Make brushing a fun family affair with these tips. try to sync your schedules: can you make brushing a group effort instead of just telling them it’s time to brush? add music and dancing: can you pick a new two-minute song each week for your brushing routine? make it a game or story: together, you can pretend that bacteria and plaque are bad guys coming to take over the town (aka the mouth), and your toothbrush and toothpaste (specifically those nano-hydroxyapatite particles) are superheroes working together to save the day. use matching toothbrushes: like our bamboo toothbrush which is easy to hold, gentle on your mouth, and good for the planet. We know it’s easier said than done, but finding the fun in brushing can make it seem like less of a chore and more of a bonding experience. 4: educate about proper technique and habits Let’s get crafty! When it comes to brushing, many kids have trouble retaining instructions that are simply told to them. This is why crafts and other visual cues can be so helpful. Here are a few fun, creative ways to educate your little ones about proper brushing techniques to get the most out of their kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste. make a marshmallow diorama: in this article, you can see a photo of the finished product. Once you create the marshmallow mouth, you can show your little ones proper brushing and flossing techniques, covering the entire surface of each tooth. Show them the crevices between their teeth, so they can visualize how bacteria and plaque can build up in certain hard-to-reach places. use watercolors to show how cavities spread: draw some teeth on a piece of white paper, and have them use some watercolors on each tooth. As the colors bleed and take over the drawn tooth, explain that cavities can spread and worsen if not addressed. Explain how Davids orange + vanilla kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste can create a “shield” on the surface of the tooth to combat damage and stop cavities in their tracks. scrub “plaque” off a hard-boiled egg: this scrubbing experiment can show your kids just how important daily brushing is. It involves soaking hard-boiled eggs in different solutions to see how it affects the white outer surface. Have them make predictions about which liquids will have the worst effect on the egg. After soaking them overnight, have them use a toothbrush to scrub off the “damage,” and they’ll notice that some liquids (like soft drinks) are harder to scrub off than others. have them draw and shade their own mouth: take a photo of their mouth wide open and invite them to recreate their own mouth in a drawing. By drawing and shading their teeth, gums, and tongue, you can explain the function of each and how kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste can help protect each part of their mouth. make a scrapbook of healthy and unhealthy foods: cut out some mouth-friendly and unfriendly foods and separate them into those categories. Have them make a collage to remember which ones help create strong teeth and which ones can cause problems. Instead of just telling your little ones things that are good/bad for their teeth, these craft projects can give them a visual representation and help them retain the information in the long run. 5: reward and reinforce We like to reserve positive reinforcements for special occasions (so they don’t get too used to prizes), but maybe you can offer an extra trip to the park or a new light-up toothbrush when your little ones stay on top of their oral care routine. To reinforce healthy habits, we recommend stocking up on our NEW orange + vanilla hydroxyapatite toothpaste for kids + adults. buy now.
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three reasons to smile about kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste
Summer has officially arrived, and what better way to celebrate than with a brand new juicy + sweet flavor of Davids! We’re so excited to add a delicious orange vanilla hydroxyapatite toothpaste for kids + adults to our lineup, and we can’t wait for you and your little ones to experience all of the incredible benefits of hydroxyapatite toothpaste. In honor of this exciting launch, we’re diving into three reasons to smile about kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste and what sets our new formula apart from the rest. With all the natural goodness of Davids in a kid-friendly flavor, this new product brings a safe, effective, and fun approach to long-term, holistic oral health....something you and your little ones can share for years to come! Now, let’s get into the good stuff. 1: eliminate the risk of swallowing toxic fluoride Parents, we understand. It takes time for your little ones to master their oral health routines, and throughout those uncomfortable learning years, you want to be absolutely sure their oral care products are safe. Those early years of brushing can involve a lot of accidental swallowing, so it’s only natural that you want their toothpaste to be safe to swallow. You’ve probably heard from conventional dentists and companies that fluoride is absolutely essential for your kids’ long-term oral health, but you can’t help but think it’s a little weird that this highly recommended ingredient comes with an alarming warning label. “Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.” This warning is off-putting, especially since accidents are the norm with kids. But unlike fluoride toothpaste, kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste has no need for a warning label. That’s because hydroxyapatite is safe to swallow! It’s non-toxic and biocompatible, meaning it will not cause harmful side effects. Fluoride, on the other hand, can cause adverse effects if ingested in large amounts (which can happen if you’re ingesting fluoride from other sources too, like fluoridated water). This doesn’t mean that fluoride is inherently harmful, it just means that it can be. When it comes to kids, the possibility of harm is enough for us to want to go in a different, safer direction. Kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste gives you the green light to let your little ones be a little more independent with their brushing. Since there’s no fluoride or risk of toxicity, you don’t have to closely monitor how much they’re using or accidentally swallowing. It’s a win for the whole family! 2: kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste is effective Now, there’s no denying that fluoride has a track record of effectively remineralizing and protecting teeth. There’s a reason it's had the oral care spotlight for so long! So now the question becomes, “We know kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste can be safer than fluoride, but is it just as effective?” The short answer is yes. From what the research has revealed so far, hydroxyapatite is just as effective as fluoride. Here’s a little glimpse into the research. This 2019 study confirms hydroxyapatite toothpaste is as equally effective as fluoride toothpaste. This 2020 study confirmed hydroxyapatite products reduced tooth decay, especially in children. This year-long 2021 clinical trial concludes that hydroxyapatite toothpaste can reduce enamel caries in children just as well as fluoride. It also confirmed that kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste is safe to swallow. This is just the tip of the iceberg for research supporting the efficacy of hydroxyapatite. From what we’ve seen, it performs just as well as fluoride (if not better), and it’s safer. In our opinion, the choice is easy, and we choose kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste over fluoride. 3: we just launched our first hydroxyapatite toothpaste for kids We’re so excited to add kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste to our lineup of premium natural oral care products, bringing you a safer alternative to fluoride, peace of mind, and healthy happy mouths for the whole family! Here are a few things that make our formula unique. mouthwatering orange vanilla flavor: we couldn’t call it kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste without a kid-friendly flavor! This creamy, sweet new taste can help get your little ones excited about brushing again! We intentionally formulated this flavor without mint oils to make it more enjoyable for kids (and a nice change of pace for you, too)! high-quality nano-hydroxyapatite particles: it’s a common misconception that the % of hydroxyapatite dictates how well the toothpaste will perform. The truth is, it’s more complicated than that, so we decided to do the hard work (complicated research) for you. We took the time to find the best type and grade of hydroxyapatite particle to bring you a hydroxyapatite toothpaste for kids that effectively binds to enamel, fills in holes and imperfections, and remineralizes teeth from the inside out. xylitol: just like our other toothpastes, the premium birch-derived xylitol in our kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste is deliciously sweet and effective. Research shows that this tasty ingredient has the power to stimulate saliva flow to flush out debris and harmful microorganisms. It also has the power to starve the bad bacteria (by up to 75%) without disrupting the good bacteria in your mouth. The result is a fresh, healthy mouth and a balanced oral microbiome (which helps to nurture a healthy gut, brain, and body). gentle abrasives: like hydrated silica, calcium carbonate, and baking soda work to safely “exfoliate” bacteria, acids, and other harmful materials from the tooth’s surface, revealing clean, white enamel that’s primed for all of the remineralizing powers of our kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste. coconut oil: this naturally antibacterial ingredient is known to effectively decrease plaque formation (and the gingivitis that can follow). It also has a very smooth, refreshing taste that brightens up our kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste. Say hello to fresh breath, enamel health, and a full-mouth detox for your little ones (and you, too)! This special sweet flavor isn’t just for kiddos, it’s perfect if you’re looking to add a little sweetness to your minty oral care routine. So be sure to grab yourself a tube too! buy now.
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spit take: how to nurture your saliva to keep good health flowing
Did you know that in an average lifetime, you’ll produce over 23,000 liters of saliva? That’s nearly 80 bathtubs-full! While most of us go through our days without really thinking about the importance of saliva, it plays a crucial role in our oral and overall health. From protecting your enamel to enhancing your taste, you might be surprised just how many functions saliva carries out every day. To celebrate this incredible liquid, let’s explore what exactly saliva is, why it’s so important, and how you can nurture healthy saliva through mindful, everyday habits. what is saliva? The easiest answer to this question is that saliva is spit, but in the world of oral and overall health, it’s much more than that! It’s a (mostly water-based) fluid. Your saliva is up to 99% water and 1% proteins, salts, electrolytes, glucose, urea, hormones, and more. Healthy saliva contains up to 1,000 different types such as enzymes, mucins, antibodies, and anti-inflammatory peptides. That’s a lot of substances for a little bit of liquid! Each of these substances helps your saliva carry out crucial functions to nurture your overall health, which we’ll cover in a bit. how is saliva produced? It’s no surprise that your saliva comes from the salivary glands in your oral cavity (mouth). Three pairs of major glands make about 90% of your saliva: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. Many other minor glands make the remaining 10%. Many things can influence your saliva production, such as the things you smell, the food and drinks you taste, and the consistency of the foods and drinks you put in your mouth (crunchy, soft, sugary, acidic, etc). Many people don’t realize that saliva production is also directly linked to your nervous system. No matter what “mode” your nervous system is in, it should always trigger saliva production. But when your parasympathetic nervous system (aka your fight, flight, freeze response) gets activated, it can have larger, longer-lasting effects on your saliva. It can change the volume and consistency of your saliva, leading to dry mouth and other uncomfortable consequences. This is just another reminder that stress can have massive underlying effects on your holistic health! functions of saliva Saliva has so many incredible functions throughout your body. In a way, saliva is a prime example of our motto, “Your mouth is the window to your overall health.” What do we mean by that? Let’s explain by diving into saliva's importance as it nurtures your holistic health. saliva coats your mouth and throat: this coating acts as a barrier between your oral mucosa (the soft membrane that lines your mouth) and the foods and contaminants that enter your mouth. For example, if you’re outside breathing in car exhaust, cigarette smoke, pollen, and other irritants, healthy saliva will protect your oral mucosa from these things! saliva flushes out your mouth: not only does saliva help you wash out food debris, but it also helps to preserve your enamel, a healthy bacterial balance, and a healthy pH balance in your mouth. This is why dry mouth can be so detrimental, as it allows bacteria to flourish and release acids that can harm your enamel and gums. saliva enhances taste: healthy saliva acts as a dissolvent when you eat or drink something, interacting with your taste buds and bringing out more distinct flavors. saliva aids in digestion: in a similar manner, saliva begins the digestive process! This is why your mouth can start watering right when you smell a delicious meal. Once food enters your mouth, saliva binds to the food to break it down and make it easier to chew and swallow. saliva can indicate larger health risks: your saliva contains your DNA (hence mouth swabs for DNA tests). The DNA in your saliva (or lack of saliva, aka dry mouth) can indicate conditions like cancer, aging, hormonal imbalance, viruses, cardiovascular complications, allergies, nutrient absorption issues, and more. Not to mention, the volume and composition of your saliva can indicate other systemic health issues such as insulin resistance, diabetes, oral infections, and beyond. As you can see, healthy saliva (or lack thereof) plays a huge role in our daily lives and can tell us so much about our overall health! how can you nurture healthy saliva? Daily intentional habits can help you maintain healthy saliva. If you have unexplained dry mouth or other issues with the volume/texture of your saliva, we highly recommend visiting your dentist! But if you’re looking for general maintenance, check out these tips below. stay hydrated: especially in these summer months, ensure you’re getting 100-125 ounces of water daily and consider adding electrolytes to your water. Remember, your saliva is made up of these substances! eat a mouth-healthy diet: to us, a mouth-friendly diet consists of whole foods that stimulate healthy saliva production and give your mouth a daily dose of essential nutrients like proteins, calcium, vitamin D, fiber, and phosphorus. avoid alcohol and tobacco: alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it can dehydrate you by depleting your body’s salt and fluid stores. Tobacco contains nicotine, a substance that’s known to decrease saliva flow and cause dry mouth. The same goes for vaping and smoking cannabis…you’ll want to avoid all of these substances to nurture healthy saliva! manage stress: mindfulness, deep breathing, and exercising are all great ways to calm your nervous system and help your body produce adequate amounts of healthy saliva. As we mentioned, chronic stress is a massive underlying cause of salivary issues like dry mouth (among other oral and holistic health issues). address mouth breathing: if you’re mouth breathing during the day, mindfulness can help you switch to intentional nasal breathing. If you’re mouth breathing because you’re congested, you’ll want to identify the root cause (allergies, viruses, etc.). But if you suspect you’re mouth breathing at night (waking up with dry mouth, bad breath, or drool stains), try mouth taping. Among many other negative impacts, mouth breathing dries out your mouth, so it’s essential to address if you want to maintain healthy saliva. brush daily with Davids the best dry mouth toothpaste: our natural dry mouth toothpaste is formulated with premium moisturizing ingredients like xylitol, peppermint oils, and vegetable glycerin to stimulate saliva flow and keep your mouth from feeling dry. On top of that, our hydroxyapatite toothpaste contains essential minerals to fortify your enamel against bacteria…like the bacteria that flourish under dry conditions. Together, these ingredients can work wonders for nurturing healthy saliva. We hope this article inspires you to feel grateful for your spit…the often unsung hero of our oral and overall health! Buy Your Premium Toothpaste Now.
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a fresh take on plastic free july: from mindfulness to zero waste toothpaste
More than just a pledge to reduce plastic waste for a month, Plastic Free July is one of the biggest environmental movements of our time. Rebecca Prince-Ruiz (founder of the Plastic Free Foundation) and a small team in Australia started Plastic Free July in 2011, and in just over a decade, it has grown from a simple inspiring initiative to a full-blown global movement.While a 100% plastic-free month might sound daunting, the core purpose of Plastic Free July is to increase awareness around plastic consumption and empower you to make simple swaps you can continue for months and years to come. Trust us, once you start making these mindful swaps (like switching from conventional toothpaste to our zero waste toothpaste), they can quickly become second nature. To spark some inspiration, let’s start by unwrapping some of the extraordinary positive impacts of Plastic Free July. the incredible impacts of Plastic Free July In just five years, Plastic Free July participants have saved 1.4 billion kgs of plastic and a whopping 10 billion kgs of total waste. In 2023 alone… 89 million people in over 190 countries participated in Plastic Free July. In their households, participants avoided: 900 million kg of non-recoverable waste. 700 million kg of recyclable waste. 240 million kg of plastic waste. The movement reached 29% of consumers. 87% of challenge participants maintained at least one lasting change. The top six participating countries included China, India, the US, South Korea, Italy, and Brazil. Let’s keep it up this year! You can take the challenge and explore resources to get you started on your journey. We’re sharing some of our top tips below! our top tips to get you started As the ancient proverb goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” master mindfulness. Whether you’re mindful of it or not, you’re going to encounter plastics every single day…probably everywhere you go! By taking your brain out of autopilot and shifting into mindfulness, you can start to take note of all the unnecessary plastics in your life. We encourage you to pause, take a deep breath, and scan your body and your surroundings throughout your day. You might be surprised how much this helps with your Plastic Free July journey! start small. Before Plastic Free July rolls around, try to take inventory of some single-use plastic products you run into daily/weekly. Maybe it’s plastic produce bags at the grocery store or the lid on your take-out coffee cup. Start there! keep a list. Identify plastic products room by room in your home/workplace. In the bathroom, you might find items like shampoo and conditioner bottles, plastic toothpaste tubes, or deodorant. In your kitchen, think of things like cleaning products, dish soap, and paper towels (which usually come packaged in plastic). Keep a list of these, so that when you run out of your current items, you can replace them with plastic-free alternatives even after Plastic Free July! ask for (or bring) alternatives when you go out. Dining out is a huge culprit when it comes to single-use plastic waste. When getting started on Plastic Free July, be prepared for common plastics when you go out: skip the straw, bring your own cutlery, ask for paper to-go boxes, and skip the plastic bag. This is a great way to make an impact and spread the word to your friends (and restaurant staff) throughout Plastic Free July! Check out the Getting Started page on the Plastic Free July website to explore their tips for avoiding plastic produce bags, coffee cups, plastic bags, meat packaging, and so much more. simple plastic-free swaps from Davids More and more people are catching on to the fact that the conventional oral care world has some pretty dirty plastic secrets, and we’re so proud to bring you premium plastic-free products that challenge the status quo. Here are a few of our favorite Davids oral care swaps to kickstart your Plastic Free July. refillable floss: if we assume that every person in the US purchases three floss containers per year, that’s over 700 million plastic containers thrown away annually in the US alone. Note that this is only an estimate, as many people don’t floss (which is a tragedy in itself). Our refillable floss solves this plastic waste problem…you never have to throw it away! Simply grab a refill to put in your existing container, so you can easily start reducing this shocking 700 million number. zero waste toothpaste: you’ve probably heard us say this before, but it’s estimated that close to one billion plastic toothpaste tubes make their way into landfills and pollute natural ecosystems every year in the US. Our zero waste toothpaste comes packaged in an infinitely recyclable aluminum tube, so you can avoid contributing to this pile of tubes. Not to mention, you can enter the following message on Line 2 of your address field at checkout to truly make it a zero waste toothpaste! ***REMOVE TUBE KEY/CAP/BOX*** bamboo toothbrush: just like toothpaste tubes, Americans throw away over one billion plastic toothbrushes per year. You can avoid contributing to this issue by swapping to a bamboo toothbrush, which can decompose in as little as a few weeks when you send it to a commercial composter in your area. Not to mention, bamboo is naturally antibacterial, and bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. It’s the perfect material for a household item that must be replaced every three months! stainless steel tongue scraper: some tongue scrapers out there are made with plastic grips (or made completely out of plastic). Our stainless steel tongue scraper is exactly that…100% stainless steel. It’s durable, effective, easy to use (preferred by dental professionals), and dishwasher safe, so you can use it safely for the rest of your life. Consider it the perfect addition to your long-term, plastic-free oral care routine! The best part? These simple swaps can easily lead to long-lasting changes, nurturing your health and the health of the planet far beyond Plastic Free July! Buy Your Premium Toothpaste Now.
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what’s the best tongue scraper? comparing the most popular options
You’ve heard the buzz about the benefits of tongue scraping: fresher breath, improved taste, decreased toxin load, better digestion…the list goes on! Now that you’re on board with this effective ancient practice, you must decide which tongue scraper to get. With so many options out there, how can you know which one is the best tongue scraper? Copper or stainless steel? U-shaped or single-handed? We understand the overwhelm, which is why we’re breaking down the different options for you here, from the best materials to the most effective shapes. Spoiler alert: we feel that the single-handed stainless steel tongue scraper wins the competition, which is why we’re so proud to offer it in our oral care lineup at Davids. If you’re not already on board with tongue scraping, we hope this article inspires you to add this incredible practice to your daily routine! what’s the best material for a tongue scraper? plastic tongue scraper As an oral care company that always works to minimize plastics, it’s hard to see the pros of a plastic tongue scraper. It’s far less durable than its metal counterparts (mainly stainless steel and copper), meaning it’ll eventually contribute to our world’s massive plastic waste problem.After using a tongue scraper a few times, we strongly recommend cleaning it at a high temperature (aka in the dishwasher). Research shows that even BPA-free plastics can leach harmful chemicals into the dishwasher, so this limits your cleaning options quite a bit! Some plastic tongue scrapers come with bristles attached, giving bacteria another chance to harbor and flourish.The only real pro we can see with a plastic tongue scraper is that it might be lighter and less intimidating for your little ones than a metal tongue scraper. But if you’re looking for a soft, light option for kids, we think you should consider silicone. silicone tongue scraper A silicone tongue scraper is a great option for kiddos who aren’t quite ready for metal yet! It’s safer to clean at high temperatures, and it’s soft on the tongue. It’s worth noting that harder metal tongue scrapers will remove bacteria more efficiently, but this is a good option if you can’t get your little ones on board with a metal tongue scraper.Some silicone tongue scrapers come in lollipop or ice cream shapes to make tongue scraping feel a little more fun! copper tongue scraper Ancient tongue scrapers were often made from copper, gold, silver, and brass, so the copper tongue scraper has remained a staple for countless years. While we believe copper is a great alternative to plastic and silicone, we don’t feel it’s the best material for a tongue scraper.Copper can tarnish over time, especially if you don’t care for it in a very particular way. To keep your copper tongue scraper looking new, you’ll want to soak it in a boiling solution of water, vinegar, and salt, use a cloth to scrub away any tarnishing, and polish it dry. For a tool you’re using to wipe away water, bacteria, and saliva daily, we prefer a material that won’t tarnish or knick over time no matter how much you use/wash it...like stainless steel! stainless steel tongue scraper We believe stainless steel tongue scrapers are the best, which is why we sell one at Davids. They don’t tarnish over time, and they’re completely dishwasher-safe. The most maintenance you ever have to do is throw it in the dishwasher, and this sturdy metal scrapes away bacteria just as good as (if not better than) a copper tongue scraper.Not to mention, the single-handed shape of our stainless steel tongue scraper makes it super easy to maneuver, and it feels smooth and natural on your tongue. More on that below! what’s the best shape for a tongue scraper? flat toothbrush head Have you ever tried using the tongue scraper on the back of your toothbrush head? Or put one of those flat toothbrush-head-shaped “tongue scrubbers” on your electric toothbrush?To us, these silicone and plastic tongue scraper options aren’t really tongue scrapers. Their small, flat shape seems to just move around bacteria rather than truly scrape it off the cushy surface of your tongue. Not to mention, they don’t last for very long, so they end up contributing to that pesky plastic waste problem!We think you’re much better off grabbing an infinitely reusable stainless steel tongue scraper that’s been strategically designed to scrape and remove bacteria effectively. Like the one we offer at Davids. arched tongue scraper An arched (or u-shaped) tongue scraper is a great step in the right direction. It’s a design that allows you to cover more of your tongue’s surface area, and truly scrape that bacteria/mucus/film out of your mouth.These U-shaped tongue scrapers can get a bit wide and difficult to maneuver though, especially toward the back of your tongue where odor-causing bacteria tend to build up and linger. The back of your tongue only touches your soft palate, whereas the front of your tongue touches your teeth, creating more friction to scrub away bacteria. This is why you want a tongue scraper that can easily reach the back of your tongue...and do so without triggering your gag reflex. single-hand tongue scraper Our single-hand, stainless steel tongue scraper allows you to reach the back of your tongue with ease to remove bacteria without triggering your gag reflex. It might take some practice to get your mouth and body used to tongue scraping without gagging, but we assure you it will get easier with time! Made with 100% medical-grade stainless steel, our tongue scraper material and design are preferred by dental professionals and used as an example in dental schools! The smooth, rounded edges make for a soft and pleasant scraping experience that effectively removes bacteria even from those hard-to-reach areas of your tongue.The result is a cleaner mouth-feel, fresher breath, and a healthier smile. What’s not to love? buy now.
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