Davids blog
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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our top five oral care tips for a plant-based lifestyle, from diet to vegan toothpaste
It’s a common stereotype that those on a plant-based diet don’t get as many essential nutrients as those who eat other non-vegan diets. We’ll be the first to tell you this statement paints things with a broad brush. The truth is that there is so much variation in everyone’s diet…vegan or not. With this in mind, it’s still important to acknowledge scientific studies reveal common nutrient deficiencies among plant-based diets, and they can play a huge role in your oral health. As a company that proudly makes premium vegan toothpaste, it’s no secret that we care deeply about nurturing the oral health of our plant-based friends. To take things a step further, we’re sharing our top five vegan oral health tips. We hope they teach you something new…and inspire you to add the best vegan toothpaste to your daily routine. 1: know your nutrients We’re starting strong with the longest, most important section! Nutrient deficiencies remain at the root of most vegan-related health concerns, including oral care issues. It’s super important to know and understand which nutrient deficiencies are most common when eating a vegan diet, so we’re diving into the ones that can directly affect your oral health. arginine: this amino acid helps break down plaque to prevent cavities and gum disease through remineralization. While it’s mainly found in meat, fish, and dairy, you can find vegan sources such as soy, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, and lentils. calcium: those who follow a plant-based diet are less likely to get their recommended amount of calcium, which is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth. This is because dairy is a main source of bioavailable calcium, and plant-based sources may not be as bioavailable (actively delivering nutrients to our bodies). On top of this, foods like nuts and seeds might be high in sulfur amino acids, which can reduce calcium retention. For calcium, focus on foods like leafy greens, sesame seeds, and soy (tofu, tempeh, edamame). Pro tip, you’ll also want to add our hydroxyapatite-enriched vegan toothpaste! phosphorous: this essential mineral helps your body absorb calcium and effectively rebuild your tooth enamel. Together, phosphorus and calcium create hydroxyapatite, the main structural component of your enamel…and a very important, beloved substance in our vegan toothpaste (that you’ll hear more about later in this article)! As a vegan, you can get more phosphorus in your diet by focusing on foods like beans, almonds, cashews, wheat germ, lentils, and pumpkin seeds. vitamin D: without vitamin D, your body can only absorb 10-15% of dietary calcium. But with enough vitamin D, you can raise that to 30-40%. Animal products are high in vitamin D, so it’s important to find plant-based sources of this nutrient as a vegan. You can get vitamin D from safe sun exposure and eating foods like spinach and mushrooms. vitamin B12: this nutrient helps your body form red blood cells to carry oxygen to the soft tissues in your mouth. Without enough of it, you could experience bad breath, ulcers, gum disease, burning, and beyond. Vitamin B12 exists naturally in animal products, but as a vegan, you can only get it through fortified foods and supplements. Be sure to ask your doctor what a healthy dose is for your lifestyle! vitamin C: vitamin C helps with your body’s collagen production, keeping your gums healthy and strong. Without enough of it, you might run into gum disease, bleeding gums, and sensitivity due to enamel erosion. Some less-sugary sources of vitamin C include kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spring mix, strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cauliflower. vitamin K: this healing nutrient can help your body build new dentin (the layer of your tooth right below your enamel), slow tooth decay, and reduce bacteria in your mouth. To increase vitamin K, focus on green foods like cabbage, kiwi, spring mix, spinach, broccoli, sprouts, and spring onions. vitamin A: vitamin A works to keep your mucous membranes healthy and increase saliva production, which can help prevent dry mouth and help your mouth heal from other complications. You can get more of it through orange foods like sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, and carrots as well as leafy greens. You can also stimulate saliva flow with our vegan toothpaste, which contains moistening ingredients like xylitol, vegetable glycerin, and premium peppermint essential oils. Remember, just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you’re deficient in all of these nutrients! We highly recommend taking the guesswork out of things by heading to your doctor and finding your starting point through bloodwork. 2: keep an eye on your starch + sugar intake You’ve probably heard before that sugar isn’t the best substance for oral health, as it feeds bad bacteria and contributes to plaque buildup. The same is true for processed starches like white bread, white rice, pasta, and refined flour, as your saliva breaks down these foods into sugars. In general, a healthy vegan diet tends to contain more carbs than a non-vegan diet. This isn’t an inherently bad thing, but it could introduce more sugar and starches to your enamel. We recommend keeping track of your carb and sugar intake to be sure you’re not overdoing it. As always, we encourage you to focus on whole foods over processed foods for your oral and overall health....and do your best to tame bad bacteria with our vegan toothpaste! 3: use the Davids, the best vegan toothpaste + floss As mentioned in the first section, calcium and phosphorus are essential nutrients for strong healthy enamel. These two come together to form hydroxyapatite, the hero ingredient in our nano-hydroxyapatite vegan toothpaste and our infused dental floss. Hydroxyapatite already exists in your bones and enamel, so when you use our sensitive toothpaste and floss every day, you’re giving your teeth a healthy dose of this innovative remineralizing ingredient. The nano-particles effortlessly bind to your teeth, strengthening them from the inside out. This supplementation is incredibly important for vegans who might be slightly deficient in calcium and phosphorus. 4: prevent dry mouth in between your vegan toothpaste routines Dry mouth is more than just a feeling, it’s a condition that can exacerbate oral issues and let bacteria wreak havoc in your mouth. We’re proud that our vegan toothpaste does a great job preventing dry mouth, but here are a few hacks you can use in between brushes to keep your mouth moist and healthy. Try chewing on xylitol gum, snacking on ice chips, using a humidifier at home, and carrying dry mouth sprays and rinses on you when you’re out and about (just search “natural dry mouth spray” or “natural dry mouth rinse”). 5: visit your dentist every six months Through diligent exams and x-rays, your dentist will be the first to tell you if your mouth and teeth are suffering from nutrient deficiencies. We always recommend visiting your dentist every six months to monitor any demineralization and stop it in its tracks! While you schedule your next appointment, be sure to stock up on the best vegan toothpaste for your at-home oral care needs. buy premium toothpaste now.
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how to prevent common oral health problems with Davids natural oral care
June is National Oral Health Awareness Month, and we’re celebrating by chatting about all the glory and glamor of common oral health problems. In all seriousness, you might be surprised to find out that these oral complications affect a huge portion of the American population. So if you’ve experienced any (or all) of these, just know you’re not alone. This month, we’re spotlighting these issues and sharing how the Davids lineup of premium natural oral care products can help you prevent and treat them. Every product we create has been meticulously crafted with your oral (and overall) health in mind, and that’s worth celebrating throughout National Oral Health Awareness Month! 1: tooth decay, affects about 90% We’re starting strong with tooth decay, an oral health problem that impacts almost all of the adult population in America. In short, tooth decay is the process that leads to a cavity. It occurs when the bad bacteria in your mouth “take over,” producing acids that wear down your enamel. As your enamel wears down, your teeth can form cracks, holes, and imperfections, and these imperfections can expose the most vulnerable inner layers of your teeth. This can lead to sensitivity, infection, and permanent damage (aka cavities). Did you know… About 90% of adults 20+ years old have at least one cavity. Nearly 60% of adolescents ages 12-19 have a cavity. Over 50% of children ages 6-8 have a cavity in their baby teeth. 26% of adults in the US currently have untreated tooth decay. While this all seems daunting, we want to remind you that tooth decay is preventable and treatable! We always recommend consulting your dentist (especially if you haven’t done so in over 6 months), as your dentist will be able to remove tartar (hardened plaque/bacteria), identify stages of tooth decay, and give you a treatment plan. But when considering day-to-day ways to prevent tooth decay, you might be surprised how effective our natural oral care lineup is. The intentional ingredients in our premium toothpaste and expanding floss work together to break down plaque, fight bad bacteria, neutralize acids (to restore your mouth to a healthy pH), and remineralize your enamel to strengthen it against decay. Our remineralizing hero, nano-hydroxyapatite, has been proven to fill holes and imperfections in your enamel by binding to the existing hydroxyapatite particles in your teeth and fortifying them from the inside out. Pretty cool, right? 2: gum disease, affects more than 47% Gum disease affects nearly half of the adult population in the US! It occurs when bacteria and plaque infect your gums. With symptoms like redness, inflammation, stinging, bleeding, bad breath, gum recession, and beyond....gum disease is nearly impossible to ignore. The thing with gum disease is (just like tooth decay) it’s a progressive disease. It’s key to do everything you can to prevent it and stop it in its tracks. You can do so by staying up-to-date with your dentist visits and practicing healthy and consistent natural oral care. The xylitol, vegetable glycerin, peppermint oils, and ultra-fine abrasives in our toothpaste work to break down plaque and reduce dry mouth to fight bad bacteria and neutralize acids that might otherwise accumulate and contribute to gum disease. Our expanding floss, which is also infused with xylitol, works to accomplish the same feats in the smallest crevices between your teeth! 3: tooth sensitivity, affects more than 12% Roughly 1 in 8 Americans deal with tooth sensitivity, which often feels like a shocking pain when any cold, hot, or hard substance touches your tooth. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the tiny “tubes” in your teeth (that lead to your tooth’s sensitive center nerve) become exposed. This can happen when your enamel wears down or your gums recede to expose those pathways. While many people associate sensitivity with tooth decay, the two are not always related. It’s true that tooth sensitivity can indicate the early stages of tooth decay, and tooth decay can also be the root of your sensitivity. But each of these issues can exist without the other! In other words, tooth sensitivity does not always indicate tooth decay, and tooth decay doesn’t always cause sensitivity. It’s easy to confuse the two symptoms, but you can think of sensitivity as a shooting pain that shoots in and fades out, while tooth decay is more of a dull ache that persists. But just like tooth decay, practicing natural oral care with nano-hydroxyapatite can be a game changer. Many people who brush with our sensitive+whitening nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste twice daily report tooth sensitivity relief within just a few days! 4: dry mouth, affects more than 20% About 22% of the general population deals with dry mouth, a condition when your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. It’s more common for people with certain conditions such as diabetes, cancer, sleep apnea, and autoimmune disease as well as those who drink alcohol, use tobacco, and take certain medications. It’s important to note that dry mouth isn’t just a dry mouth, it’s a condition that can allow bad bacteria to flourish in your mouth, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay, bad breath, microbiome imbalances, and other oral health complications. The glycerin, xylitol, and mint oils in our natural oral care products all work together to stimulate saliva flow to moisten your mouth and flush out bad bacteria. These ingredients can help to provide you with short-term and long-term relief for dry mouth. 5: teeth grinding, affects up to 30% Teeth grinding, formally known as bruxism, affects up to 30% of people in the US. It’s often a subconscious habit associated with stress, anxiety, tension, acid reflux, sleep apnea, mouth breathing, and poor oral health habits. When it comes to natural oral care for teeth grinding, we recommend working with a dentist, primary care doctor, or psychologist to identify the root cause of your grinding (as mentioned above, there are a lot of causes). But to treat the symptoms, consider wearing a mouthguard at night, practicing stress management, and/or using techniques to avoid mouth breathing. Because teeth grinding can wear down your enamel and gums over time, it’s important to treat your mouth daily with natural oral care. Daily use of hydroxyapatite can help reverse the damage from grinding by remineralizing your enamel with essential minerals (calcium phosphate). Davids premium natural oral care Celebrate National Oral Health Awareness Month with natural oral care that truly cares for you! Our premium toothpaste, expanding floss, stainless steel tongue scraper, and bamboo toothbrush are all crafted with thoughtful, innovative ingredients (or designs) for a healthy mouth + healthy you. Not to mention, we have some amazing new natural oral care products in the works! Buy Your Premium Toothpaste Now.
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does your kid hate oral care? try our top five tips and premium toothpaste for kids
Do your kids put up a fight when you ask them to brush (let alone floss) their teeth? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A survey by Delta Dental revealed that 45% of parents agree it’s a huge challenge to get their kids to brush their teeth. Day after day, fuss after fuss, we understand it’s tempting to throw the towel in altogether. Why go through all the stress of forcing your kids oral health upon them when their teeth are just going to fall out anyway? Well, we’re here to remind you that these early years are some of the most important and foundational years for oral health, and establishing good habits at a young age can work wonders for your kids down the road. After all, healthy “baby” teeth play a central role in helping your child learn how to chew and talk, and they pave the way for your kid’s permanent teeth. In other words, healthy baby teeth give your little ones a much better chance at growing healthy adult teeth! So, for those parents/caretakers who feel like they’re entering a battle every time tooth-brushing rolls around, we’re sharing our top five tips to help you establish a fun and effective kids oral health routine. Of course, we couldn’t share these tips without also reminding you to schedule a trip to the dentist for your little one (every six months) and encouraging you to refresh their routine with our favorite toothpaste for kids. Now, onto our favorite tips! 1: teach them fun facts about their teeth Start to bring some fun back into oral care by telling your little one 10 surprising facts about their teeth. In this previous article, you can explore 10 of our favorite facts, including how enamel is stronger than bone and how teeth can serve as a second set of fingerprints. It’s worth noting: research reveals that oral health education programs in schools have been effective at increasing kids’ knowledge, attitudes, and dental hygiene. Adding a little bit of fun into oral health education can help get them more excited about kids oral health! You might learn a thing or two that’ll motivate and rejuvenate your own oral health routine. Additionally, you can create fictional stories that depict the importance of kids oral health. For example, if your little one really loves superheroes, maybe create a story where oral bacteria and plaque are supervillains, and the toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss are a team of superheroes who work together to keep their “tooth town” safe and healthy. 2: do fun hands-on experiments Learning fun facts is a great entry point, but it’s no secret that some kids learn and absorb things better by seeing and doing. There are so many visual and hands-on activities you can do with your little ones to get them excited about kids oral health. This article runs through 30 exercises, ranging from interactive videos to science experiments. One experiment involves covering hard-boiled eggs with flour-based “plaque” and challenging your kid(s) to brush the plaque off the egg before and after it’s hardened. This can help them see the value of brushing their teeth daily to avoid allowing plaque to harden on their own teeth. Another activity involves creating a replica mouth full of marshmallow “teeth,” giving you a perfect diorama to show your little ones how to floss properly. 3: establish a rewards system A simple, harmless rewards system might also help solidify your kids oral health routine. While parents often have mixed feelings about external rewards, this 2023 study shows that they can promote children to be more proactive. If this is something you’re interested in, here are some simple reward ideas. sticker charts or other crafts, puzzles, and art an extra trip to the park an exciting playdate a new toothbrush that lights up a new toothpaste flavor (more on that below) a new game to play before, during, or after the routine We recommend reserving rewards for more “dire” situations, so your little one doesn’t expect a reward after brushing twice every single day (unless you’re up for that). 4: turn brushing into a dance party Can you make brushing time a family affair? Since we all have to brush our teeth at some point in the morning and evening, it can be the perfect opportunity to bond as a family. After all, kids love following their parents and older siblings! We recommend throwing on your (shared) favorite song to dance and brush together. You can also find educational songs out there specifically crafted around kids oral health. These two-minute songs can keep your little one engaged the entire time, guiding them through the movements of brushing and flossing, so they can practice proper techniques while jamming to some tunes. You can start by searching “brush your teeth songs” to sift through options before committing to one (which we encourage since you’ll probably end up listening to it every day for the foreseeable future). 5: try different toothpaste flavors and toothbrush types It’s possible that your child’s resistance to brushing might be related to sensory issues. It could be as simple as they don’t like the taste/texture of their toothpaste or the feel of their toothbrush. If you haven’t already, try our strawberry+watermelon toothpaste! It’s the perfect option for both kids and adults because, unlike other conventional kids toothpaste, it doesn’t contain any chemical fillers, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Because it’s SLS-free, it won’t excessively foam like other toothpastes out there, and its juicy, subtly sweet flavor is perfect for your little ones. We think it’s the best toothpaste for kids because it’s fluoride-free and SLS-free, so you don’t have to worry about them swallowing it. Conventional formulas that are full of fluoride, SLS, and other potentially toxic ingredients come with a poison control label, but ours doesn’t need one. You can feel peace knowing your little one can swallow our toothpaste without worry. If your little one is open to mint flavors, we highly recommend introducing our sensitive+whitening nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste into their daily oral care routine. Starting them on a hydroxyapatite toothpaste routine when they’re young can help them develop strong, healthy enamel that’s properly nourished with essential minerals. This habit can help turn kids oral health into long-term oral health, setting them up for a bright, smiley future. buy premium toothpaste now.
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brush right past the whitening trends: why PAP teeth whitening is the best option
It’s no secret that TikTok trends spread like wildfire. Faster than we can say “PAP teeth whitening,” people all over the internet are attempting to whiten their smiles with purple toothpaste and magic erasers. While these trends range from silly to dangerous, we think it’s important to dig a little deeper into them. As a company passionate about creating safe, effective, and natural oral care products, we always want you to understand the ins and outs of the products you’re putting in your mouth! So you can feel peace and confidence using these products in your everyday oral care routine. So in addition to busting TikTok myths, we’re also spotlighting our favorite teeth whitening method, PAP teeth whitening. This incredible, innovative whitening approach can help you achieve a bright white smile that’s as healthy as it looks! Without further ado, let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the ugly of some current teeth whitening trends. whitening trends to brush right past peroxide strips, gels, and pens… oh my Well, it’s safe to say that peroxide products are more than just a trend. These whitening strips, gels, and pens have been around for a while. There’s no denying that they’re effective whitening products, but we want to make sure you’re aware of the cons that come with them. For example, the most obvious con of peroxide-based teeth whitening is tooth demineralization and sensitivity. Peroxides work by releasing free radicals (unstable atoms) to oxidize stains. While this can help you achieve a brighter smile, it can also strip your teeth of essential minerals. These minerals are what keep your enamel strong enough to protect the (very sensitive) center nerve that exists in each of your teeth. This can cause burning, redness, itching, inflammation, sensitivity, and long-term enamel damage. Another minor con? These methods offer instant gratification, but they’re not a long-term solution. After using these products and continuing on with your daily routine, your teeth will probably return to that darker shade. The truth is that these products aren’t ideal for regular use (the discomfort they cause speaks for itself). LED teeth whitening kits LED lights are often used to “enhance the effects” of peroxide whitening kits. The lights work to “activate” the hydrogen peroxide, increasing the temperature of the chemicals causing it to decompose quicker, speed up bleaching, and increase the release of free radicals. It’s thought that these free radicals are what help whiten your teeth, but these are unstable atoms that have been known to damage healthy cells and increase oxidative stress (both of which can cause inflammation). In other words, LED lights might speed up the whitening process, but they can also exacerbate the uncomfortable side effects that come with peroxide teeth whitening. purple toothpaste This option might look tempting on TikTok, but it doesn’t actually do much to nurture white teeth. Purple toothpaste is exactly what it sounds like: toothpaste that’s dyed purple (with synthetic chemicals). Because purple is across from yellow on the color wheel, it’s thought to “cancel out” yellow tones on your tooth’s surface to make them appear whiter. But once the purple dye leaves your teeth (from eating, drinking, or just producing saliva alone), your teeth will return to their original shade. This one is another case of chemical-filled instant gratification. magic erasers (we can’t believe it either) We can’t believe we’re saying this, but some people on social media are using Magic Erasers (yes, the ones you use to clean your bathtub) to scrub the yellow tint off their teeth. Experts have confirmed that Magic Erasers are not safe to use on your teeth. These household sponges are made with melamine, a nitrogen-rich compound that contains formaldehyde. Not only that, but these sponges are highly abrasive, which is why they can erase stains with the swing of a wand. It’s safe to say that the abrasiveness and chemical composition of these cleaners are not safe for your mouth, as they can irritate/damage your teeth, gums, mouth, and stomach. PAP teeth whitening nurtures your teeth from the inside out Now that we’ve ruled out the bad guys, let’s see how PAP teeth whitening does things the right way. Unlike all of the options mentioned above, PAP (Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid) works with nano hydroxyapatite to nourish a bright, white, and healthy smile from the inside out. PAP whitening works with nano hydroxyapatite to penetrate your enamel, lift stains (even below the surface), and deliver a healthy dose of minerals to your teeth. Remember at the beginning of this article when we said that peroxide-based whiteners strip your teeth of essential minerals? PAP teeth whitening has the power to do the exact opposite, whitening your teeth and leaving them stronger than they were (instead of sensitive). Not to mention, PAP whitening does not release free radicals to get the job done. This means it avoids all of the unwanted side effects of the options listed above (aka irritation, inflammation, sensitivity, and long-term enamel wear). get back to the basics of oral care with Davids As a holistic oral care company, we couldn’t resist an opportunity to bring you back to the basics of oral care. We firmly believe that small, daily habits (with the right products) can help you achieve your brightest, healthiest smile. Here’s a little glimpse into our favorite holistic oral care routine. Brush twice daily with Davids. As mentioned, our nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste gives your teeth a daily dose of essential minerals to keep your enamel healthy. Floss daily with our expanding dental floss. The expanding design helps to effectively grab and scrub away plaque in the crevices of your teeth. Our dental floss is also infused with vegan wax, cocoa butter, premium mint oils, and nano hydroxyapatite for a deeper and fresher clean. Scrape your tongue with our stainless steel tongue scraper. This allows you to remove the sticky film and countless bacteria that live on your tongue. Add a non-toxic mouthwash for extra freshness. We might just have the perfect one for you launching soon. Eat a mouth-friendly diet and stay hydrated to avoid dry mouth. We also encourage you to avoid acidic, sugary foods and drinks and harmful habits like drinking and smoking! Throw in a little PAP teeth whitening into your routine for an extra bright smile (without the sensitivity). Stay tuned for an exciting new product announcement related to this! buy now.
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spotlight on sweeteners: why xylitol toothpaste takes the cake
There’s no denying that sweeteners are a huge part of the oral care world. Alongside mint and other essential oils, these sweet ingredients are the reason oral care products taste so great! Let’s face it, if these products didn’t taste great, we probably wouldn’t love to use them every day. As a company that sells xylitol toothpaste, you’re probably not surprised to find out that our favorite formulas include xylitol, a nature-derived sweetener that only hit the oral care market ~50 years ago. But with so many options (nature-derived and not) on the market, we’re diving into some common sweeteners found in your oral care products. To start, let’s embark on a little journey through history. the history of non-sugar sweeteners in toothpaste Thousands of years ago, people all over the world were creating their own versions of toothpaste. These innovative, nature-derived (there was no other option) toothpaste formulas would typically contain ingredients like charcoal, salt, pumice powder, and ground eggshells. It’s only natural that our ancestors experimented with different sweeteners and flavor enhancers to mask the taste of these not-so-yummy ingredients! As time went on, some of the most common sweet ingredients were honey and cane sugar....until more recent decades when experts realized these two were linked to tooth decay (and many other ailments at that). So for the past ~150 years or so, scientists have been searching for safe, low-cost, highly-effective alternatives to sugar in food and toothpaste. That leads us to the first widely-used commercial sweetener, saccharin, which was accidentally discovered by scientist Constantin Fahlberg at Johns Hopkins University in 1879. When experimenting with coal tar, Fahlberg noticed an unexpected substance that was much sweeter than sugar. Not long after its discovery, saccharin became a very controversial ingredient, as food scientists began to suspect it might be linked to various diseases. Since then, the race to find a safe, healthy, and delicious sweetener for food and oral care products has only ramped up. With a few popular ingredients dominating the oral care market, we’ve decided to compare them to see which one comes out on top. (Spoiler alert: you can probably tell from our ingredient lists, xylitol toothpaste wins it all in our book.) comparing common sweeteners We’ve compiled a few of the most common oral care sweeteners, diving into their benefits and risks to show you why we prefer to see (and put) xylitol in toothpaste. sodium saccharin This is simply the salt form of saccharin, and it’s one of the most common sweeteners found in conventional toothpaste formulas. As mentioned above in our history section, saccharin was discovered in a lab, so it’s considered an artificial sweetener (not derived from nature). While sodium saccharin is much sweeter than sugar (without the harmful tooth-decay effects), it presents a few concerns. Studies show that saccharin can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in your gut, nurturing the bad bacteria species that are more efficient at harvesting energy. This can lead to an increased risk of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, obesity, and beyond. These disorders are also known to snowball other health complications downstream. It’s also worth noting that, previous to the year 2000, saccharin was on the FDA’s potential carcinogen list. Can you already tell we don’t believe conventional toothpaste can measure up to xylitol toothpaste? sucralose Sucralose is another common artificial sweetener found in toothpaste and other oral products. Very similar to saccharin, studies have shown that sucralose can alter the balance in your gut microbiome, destroying the good bacteria. It’s also suspected to increase inflammation throughout your body, which we definitely don’t want, and you won’t find our xylitol toothpaste having that effect. sorbitol Unlike the previous two, sorbitol is considered a natural sweetener derived from sources like corn, potato starch, apples, pears, berries, and more. It was first discovered in 1872 in mountain ash berries, and today it’s found in so many oral care products and sugar-free foods. Sorbitol might seem very similar to xylitol, but there are a few key differences we’ll discuss next. xylitol Another natural sweetener, xylitol is often derived from corn, sugar, berries, berries, oats, mushrooms, and other fruits and veggies. At Davids, we source our xylitol from birch trees, which is the best option for the planet since birch trees are abundant and relatively fast-growing. While xylitol and sorbitol appear very similar, there are a couple of distinct differences. Studies show that sorbitol can be broken down by cariogenic bacteria (aka bacteria that cause tooth decay), while xylitol cannot be. In other words, sorbitol can potentially “feed” bad bacteria, while xylitol starves bad bacteria. In fact… A 2012 study found that xylitol can reduce levels of certain bad bacteria species by 27-75% without disrupting levels of beneficial bacteria. 10 years later, another study confirmed that xylitol chewing gum can reduce the amount of bad bacteria and plaque in your mouth by 20%. Many studies attribute these characteristics to the fact that xylitol can increase your saliva flow to prevent dry mouth, flush out bad bacteria, and maintain a healthy pH in your mouth (which can also greatly benefit your gut). As you can see, the benefits of xylitol in toothpaste extend beyond your mouth, promoting your holistic health. This is why we cherish it as the star sweetener in our premium toothpaste! why you should choose our xylitol toothpaste All of our intentional ingredients work together to nourish your mouth (and beyond). Our toothpaste isn’t just a xylitol toothpaste, it’s a team of ingredients designed to nurture your overall health and elevate your oral care routine. Here’s a prime example of what we mean. Our sensitive+whitening toothpaste is formulated with both xylitol and hydroxyapatite...a remineralizing dream team for your teeth. As the xylitol stimulates saliva production and starves the bad bacteria in your mouth (which often lead to sensitivity and tooth decay), hydroxyapatite swoops in to repair damage in your enamel. Together, these two work to soothe sensitivity and strengthen your teeth. There you have it, a unique xylitol toothpaste that truly cares for your oral and overall health. Buy Your Premium Toothpaste Now.
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copper vs stainless steel tongue scraper? answering your niche tongue scraping questions
Tongue scraping may seem like a straightforward ritual, but we’ve seen firsthand how the tongue scraping industry can generate some confusion and overwhelm… Copper vs stainless steel tongue scraper? Arched design or single-handed? How hard should you press down? How do you know if you’re doing it right? We’re doing more than just scratching (or should we say scraping?) the surface of tongue scraping. We’re diving into the nitty gritty, answering your specific questions about this ancient practice and sharing our favorite tips. Spoiler alert: many of them involve our stainless steel tongue scraper. brushing up on the benefits of tongue scraping Tongue scraping has been around for thousands of years, thriving as a cornerstone of dental Ayurveda and also appearing in Arabic, African, Chinese, South American, and European cultures throughout history. Originating thousands of years ago in India, Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to health, wellness, and medicine, maintaining that your body, mind, and spirit are all closely linked. The benefits of tongue scraping fit beautifully into this ethos, as it’s thought to nurture your oral health, gut health, mental health, and beyond all at once. To refresh, some of the benefits of tongue scraping include… removing toxins, bacteria, debris, dead cells, and mucus: research finds that tongue scraping can successfully reduce bad bacteria in your mouth, helping to restore balance among the 700+ species of bacteria. In turn, this can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, and more. stimulating associated organs: the principles of Ayurveda state that certain organs are associated with regions of your tongue. When that region is stimulated and cleaned with a tongue scraper, it’s thought to stimulate the tissue and reduce the toxic load for that organ. This helps to restore balance throughout your entire body. improving digestion and overall gut health: digestion begins in your mouth, and studies show that some harmful bacteria that exist in your mouth can easily travel into your gut if not addressed. Research shows that tongue scraping in the morning can improve your digestion, elimination, and overall energy levels. improving your taste: by cleansing and renewing your taste buds, tongue scraping is thought to improve taste and give you a fresh palate. increasing health awareness: examining your tongue every morning during your tongue scraping routine can give you insights into your overall health. Ayurveda suggests that the color and texture of your tongue can tell you a lot about your overall health. Most commonly, a white tongue suggests an oral yeast infection (candida). nurturing your mental health: improved taste, oral health, and gut health can have huge positive impacts on mental health, as more “feel-good chemicals” and less inflammation throughout the body are known to improve your mental health over time. Now, let’s dive into which is the best tongue scraper, and how to create the best tongue scraping routine. copper vs stainless steel tongue scraper There are a lot of tongue scrapers out there, but we can sum up the biggest competition on the market in one phrase: copper vs stainless steel tongue scraper. Given that we sell a professional-grade stainless steel tongue scraper at Davids, you can guess which one we prefer. But let’s dive into some of the unbiased differences. First things first, let’s start by saying that both copper and steel are durable and capable of getting the job done. The biggest difference between the two is that a stainless steel tongue scraper will not tarnish, whereas a copper one might (even if you care for it properly). Your tongue scraper will get wet every time you use it, so you don’t want to worry about the water altering the material’s chemical makeup. You can throw our professional-grade stainless steel tongue scraper into the dishwasher (or hand wash it) without any worry! Now that we’ve covered copper vs stainless steel tongue scraper, let’s talk about the shape and design of your tongue scraper. We (and dental professionals) prefer our all-metal one-handed design for easy use and long-term durability. Other stainless steel tongue scrapers come in an arch shape with plastic handles. Plastic is less durable than stainless steel, and we don’t recommend putting plastic in your dishwasher (as it can release harmful chemicals at high temperatures). We find that our single-hand stainless steel design is easy to grip and safe to clean. how to tongue scrape While it might seem obvious to some, a lot of questions can arise about how to tongue scrape. See our answers on some of the most common ones below! Should I scrape my tongue before or after brushing? Our favorite routine goes (1) floss with our expanding, infused dental floss (2) brush with our premium toothpaste (3) scrape with our stainless steel tongue scraper (4) if you want to, swish with a clean, healthy hydroxyapatite mouthwash. Explore our previous article to see why we prefer scraping after brushing. How hard should I scrape my tongue? Tongue scraping should be a gentle movement. You shouldn’t feel pain or stinging and you shouldn’t see any blood. The pressure you use should be enough to remove the film on the surface of your tongue without any discomfort. How often should I scrape my tongue? We recommend tongue scraping at least once daily, but if you love how clean it feels (like we do), you can do it twice daily! How do I know if I’m doing it right? After tongue scraping, your tongue should be pain-free with no bleeding. You should feel a new, unique level of cleanness in your mouth, such that when you stop tongue scraping, you notice the difference. It’s hard to explain if you’ve never felt it before, so we highly recommend giving it a try! Whether you’ve never tongue scraped before, or you're a seasoned pro, our stainless steel tongue scraper is the perfect tool to achieve your mouth’s cleanest clean. buy now.
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small tool, big impact: brushing up on the eco-benefits of bamboo toothbrushes
You’ve heard that bamboo toothbrushes are better for the environment, but do you know exactly why? Of course, at face value, bamboo seems better than plastic. It’s natural, it’s biodegradable, and it’s not very resource intensive...things that plastic simply can’t claim. But there are even more bamboo toothbrush benefits below the surface. From sequestering carbon during the growth phase to releasing fewer greenhouse gasses during the manufacturing phase, bamboo toothbrushes have a far smaller environmental footprint than their plastic counterparts, and they’re gentler on your oral microbiome. Sounds like a win-win to us! Now, to shine a light on all the positives of the bamboo toothbrush, let’s dive into some of the negatives of the plastic toothbrushes that have been around (and will stay around) for far too long. how long does it take for a plastic toothbrush to decompose? Experts estimate that it takes around 500 years (maybe even up to 1,000 years) for a single plastic toothbrush to decompose. Even then, the pieces simply decompose into smaller microplastics, which have the power to pollute ecosystems in a less obvious way. It’s difficult (if not impossible) to recycle plastic toothbrushes because they’re so durable, and their small parts can clog up recycling equipment. Most get lost in the process and make their way to landfills, open fields, oceans, rivers, and other waterways, harming delicate ecosystems and precious wildlife. The plastic toothbrush, as we know it, has only been around since 1938....meaning every conventional toothbrush that has ever been made is still lingering around out there. (That’s part of the reason why we don’t truly know how long it takes for one to decompose.) You’ve probably heard us say before that 1 billion toothbrushes (equal to roughly 50 million pounds of plastic waste) end up in landfills every year in the US alone. Isn’t it time we switched to a better option, say the bamboo toothbrush? other environmental impacts of plastic toothbrushes Did you know that both the toothbrush handle and bristles in a conventional toothbrush are derived from petroleum oil? This leads to a lot of environmental pollution throughout the manufacturing process: extracting the petroleum oil → transporting it → refining it for manufacturing → and managing the plastic waste at the end of life. P.S. If you’re set on a plastic toothbrush, using a toothbrush with a replaceable head can help you reduce plastic toothbrush waste by 30%. But we much prefer our bamboo toothbrush, and we’ve outlined exactly why below. bamboo toothbrushes can decompose in just a few weeks If you send your bamboo toothbrush to your local commercial composting facility, it will decompose in just a few weeks. Five weeks for a bamboo toothbrush versus 500 years for a plastic toothbrush? We’ll take that any day. Worst case scenario, if you even just throw your bamboo toothbrush into your garden, it will still only take up to 10 years to decompose. But we recommend stocking up on bamboo toothbrushes and getting to know your local composting facility. Just search “commercial compost near me” to get to know your local spots. Now, let’s talk about some of the less obvious benefits of a bamboo toothbrush. Unlike plastic, bamboo is a real plant! Did you know that it can absorb 2x the carbon dioxide that trees can while generating 30% more oxygen? On top of that, bamboo is a fast-growing plant that can thrive in many environments without harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Throughout the manufacturing process, bamboo toothbrushes involve less energy, less water, and less greenhouse gas emissions than their plastic counterparts. What’s not to love? why do we call ours the best bamboo toothbrush? We’ll be the first to say that opting for any bamboo toothbrush is better for the planet than continuing on the path of plastics. With so many on the market, we wanted to round up a few important details that set our bamboo toothbrush apart from the competition. 100% natural bamboo handle: if you see color or other embellishments on your bamboo toothbrush, you might want to ask if it’s 100% natural bamboo. Our bamboo toothbrushes are just that…true bamboo. plant-derived, BPA-free bristles: our soft, BPA-free bristles are derived from castor oil. Unlike many others that are derived from petroleum oil, even our bristles are better for the environment (and your body) than their conventional counterparts. soft, gentle mouthfeel: our soft high-performance bristles deliver a powerful clean that removes plaque without being too harsh on your enamel, gums, and mucosal lining. The natural bamboo is easy to grip, allowing you to easily and gently maneuver it in those hard-to-reach corners of your mouth. sleek and minimalistic: everyone loves a toothbrush that looks as good as it performs, and ours sports a simple, natural look that will shine on your bathroom shelves. While 30 billion toothbrushes worldwide can feel like a problem too big to face, we want to encourage you that together, our small daily steps can add up to big leaps in the right direction. There’s power in numbers, and if we all begin the transition to daily oral care products that are better for the planet (and your body), we can make a big difference. Why not start the journey with a bamboo toothbrush? buy now
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