Davids blog
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 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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earth month moments: five of our favorite ways to (oral) care for the planet
On behalf of the Davids team, Happy Earth Month! It’s one of our favorite months, as our love for sustainability feels shared and echoed worldwide. On Earth Day (April 22nd), over 1 billion people will participate in some sustainability-related event, discussion, or initiative, and we couldn’t be more excited about that! To get you feeling inspired and prepared for this month/day centered around sustainability, we’re sharing five of our favorite ways to care for your mouth, your overall health, and the planet that sustains us all. 1: prioritizing low-waste natural oral care We know what you might be thinking: they’re an oral care company, of course they’re going to focus on things like sustainable toothpaste and sustainable floss during Earth Month. We understand, but please hear us out, because conventional oral care has been doing damage for decades. Did you know it’s estimated that Americans toss out... Over 1 billion (with a b) plastic toothpaste tubes every year Over 1 billion plastic toothbrushes yearly to go with them Out over 700 million plastic floss dispensers every year About 4.7 billion floss picks, too Oral care isn’t going anywhere, so it’s up to us all to make a change, and we’re passionate about providing you with incredible products to go against the conventional ways. For starters… Our sustainable toothpaste comes packaged in an infinitely recyclable toothpaste tube, so you can easily avoid contributing to those 1 billion plastic tubes that end up in landfills. Our bamboo toothbrush is biodegradable, meaning it’ll break down and return to the soil in as little as a few weeks. Our sustainable floss comes in a refillable dispenser, so you can stick to the same dispenser for the rest of your life (and we hope you feel inspired to do just that)! Not only do our products care for the planet, but they’re formulated to nurture your holistic health too. You won’t find harmful chemicals or artificial/synthetic ingredients such as flavors, dyes, fillers, preservatives, and foaming agents in any of our products. Instead, you’ll find intentional ingredients that serve a specific purpose, nurturing your long-term oral and overall health. 2: shopping (and sourcing) locally Knowing where your products come from can help you make informed, sustainable decisions all throughout the year. Shopping from companies that source their products locally can help you drastically reduce your carbon footprint. Below, we’ve outlined some of our favorite ways to shop locally and sustainably. Find farmer’s markets near you. Sourcing your produce, meat, and eggs from local farmers allows you to reduce your carbon footprint, know exactly how your food was grown/raised, and protect precious farmland that might otherwise be developed for commercial use. Check out this USDA Farmers Market Directory to find one near you! Seek out “refillery” stores. Stores like this allow you to bring back your bottles and refill them, helping you cut back your waste and support local businesses. Know where your favorite self-care brands source their ingredients. Is your favorite brand sourcing all of its stuff from overseas? It might be time to make a switch (more on that below). Our sustainable toothpaste is not JUST made in the USA, it’s USA origin too. Many of the big-name oral care companies ship their ingredients from overseas, mix them in a US factory, and stamp “Made in the USA” on their packaging. At Davids, we aim to source premium ingredients that are farmed, mined, and processed here in the USA. 98% of the ingredients in our sustainable toothpaste are USA Origin, allowing us to cut our carbon footprint, support American jobs, and be fully & proudly transparent with you. 3: embracing cruelty free self-care routines In line with our love for creating cruelty free toothpaste, we’re passionate about helping you curate entire beauty and self-care routines that honor the planet, protect animals, and nurture your health. To explore some of our favorite clean beauty brands, check out these previous articles: the ultimate holistic wellness gift guide: from premium toothpaste to aromatherapy 10 easy vegan swaps for your everyday self-care products They outline clean oral care gifts, skincare products, healthy home goods, and easy vegan swaps for common items that sneakily contain animal byproducts. These articles also call out the fact that some vegan brands might still test on animals, which is not cruelty free in our book. You can brush in peace knowing that our cruelty free toothpaste sports the Leaping Bunny certification, meaning we do not test on animals at any point in our supply chain/production process. 4: mastering minimalism You might be able to tell we’re lovers of minimalism from our brand ethos, our clean packaging designs, and the short ingredient list on the back of our sustainable toothpaste. We believe that with intention, simplicity has the potential to nurture your physical health, your mental health, and the planet....far better than complexity. Minimalism is based upon the idea that true joy and fulfillment come from within you, not from more and more material items. Instead of allowing all the people and ads of today’s world to constantly “influence” you, take a deep breath, acknowledge it as consumerism, and ask yourself if you truly need that item. Soon enough, you’ll find that your inner happiness can flourish with fewer, more mindful purchases. Not only does minimalism have the power to help you reduce your carbon footprint, but it can also reduce stress and anxiety in your life. That leaves even more mental space for you to care for yourself and the world around you! 5: spending time in nature As humans, we’re intrinsically connected to nature. Throughout history, we have evolved and adapted alongside nature and proven that our physical and mental wellness is deeply intertwined with the world around us. Scientific analyses suggest that more time in nature (visiting outdoor spaces more than once per week) is associated with better health. It also suggests that a deeper connection to nature is associated with more environmentally friendly behavior. As humans, we’re more likely to care for the things that are right in front of us, so be sure to get out in nature this Earth Month and beyond! At Davids, our sustainable toothpaste, natural bamboo toothbrush, and expanding floss are all made with (or infused with) ingredients sourced and derived from nature. From our premium mint essential oils to our birch-derived xylitol (and so many more), our ingredients offer an incredible unexpected way to bring the natural world into your everyday self-care routine. Buy Your Premium Toothpaste Now.
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how to relieve jaw tension and protect your teeth with hydroxyapatite toothpaste
Take this moment to pause for a deep breath. Let your mind tune inward and scan your body. Are your shoulders tense? Are your stomach muscles tight? Is your jaw clenched? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone! So many people subconsciously hold stress and tension in these muscles. Of course, as a passionate oral care brand, we’re focusing on the jaw, one of the most common spots to store stress in the body. Now, do you notice that your jaw is tense without your teeth even touching? Jaw tension is not the exact same thing as teeth grinding (bruxism). While the two might go hand in hand sometimes, it’s worth noting that you can go through your day with tense jaw muscles without ever grinding your teeth. If this is you, consider yourself (half) lucky! But if you do both, don’t worry. We’re going to cover how to relieve jaw tension and some ways to protect your teeth too...with help from hydroxyapatite toothpaste of course. causes of jaw clenching Stress and anxiety are the most infamous culprits when it comes to jaw clenching. You might even notice that you also clench your jaw when you’re concentrating really hard, even when you’re not stressed! Other emotions such as anger, overwhelm, and sadness can also contribute to your tight jaw. Other variables such as medications, alcohol consumption, smoking, caffeine consumption, nutrient deficiencies, illnesses, and dehydration can also show up as causes of jaw clenching in addition to emotional variables. The reality is: that jaw clenching is subconscious, so it’s often hard to pinpoint one single cause or eliminate that cause from your routine. One of the best things you can do is simply become more aware of your jaw tension, checking in with yourself and your body throughout the day to see if you’re holding tension and help you identify your various causes of jaw clenching. side effects of jaw clenching Much like teeth grinding, the side effects of jaw clenching can extend to other parts of your body. This is yet another example of how oral health can impact your overall health! Some of the side effects of jaw clenching include: discomfort opening your mouth: this is one of the most obvious side effects of jaw clenching. Your mouth might feel tight and sore when you try to open it wide, and you may even experience TMJ symptoms. tension headaches: have you noticed that when you relax your jaw, other muscles in your face and head relax too? This is because they’re all connected, which is why jaw clenching can cause headaches. changes in facial structure: typically, long-term jaw clenching can cause your jaw to look more pronounced/square ear aches and ringing: tension in your jaw muscles can lead to swelling and inflammation in surrounding areas such as your ears sinus pain and nasal congestion: same as above, this inflammation can also put pressure on your sinuses which can lead to pain and congestion interrupted sleep: the stress that causes your jaw clenching might be enough to disrupt your sleep, but people who tighten their jaw are more likely to experience other sleep issues such as snoring and sleep apnea too. If you’re grinding your teeth as you clench your jaw, this can extend the side effects of jaw clenching to oral health complications. Teeth grinding can lead to enamel wear, sensitivity, tooth fracture, broken fillings, and more. Your dentist can identify evidence of teeth grinding, so be sure to get your teeth checked if you suspect you’re a jaw clencher/teeth grinder. how to relieve jaw tension Now that we’ve covered the causes and symptoms, let’s dive into the good stuff: how to relieve jaw tension. We’ve discussed how emotional stress plays a huge role in jaw clenching, so acknowledging and addressing this stress is an important part of the solution. We touched on the ways mindfulness can make you conscious of your (likely subconscious) jaw-clenching habits, so infusing micro-mindfulness rituals into your daily routine can provide a lot of relief. We also recommend dedicating part of your day to relaxation and emotional wellness, whether that’s going for a walk in nature, doing a guided meditation, or talking to a friend or therapist about your stress and anxiety. Mouth taping can also help with jaw tension and bruxism at night. You could be subconsciously clenching your jaw throughout the night to prevent your mouth from opening (and drooling). When you use mouth tape, it does that work for you! It keeps your mouth closed throughout the night (in a safe way), allowing you to effortlessly breathe through your nose to breathe deeper, filter allergens, relieve jaw tension, and more. Massage therapy can help you reduce tension in your jaw, face, head, neck, shoulders, and entire body. Massage therapy suggests that the jaw and hips are linked, and tension in the jaw can equate to tension in the pelvis and vice versa. Visiting a professional massage therapist can uncover other links like this, allowing you to address and release your jaw tension from multiple angles and areas of your body. hydroxyapatite toothpaste In addition to the methods listed above, it’s important to strengthen your teeth with hydroxyapatite toothpaste. As a jaw clencher, you’re more likely to be a teeth grinder...which we discussed can lead to a whole host of oral complications. You can think of hydroxyapatite toothpaste as your number one natural, daily defense against enamel wear. If jaw clenching and teeth grinding are gradually damaging your enamel, hydroxyapatite toothpaste can give your teeth a daily dose of remineralization, correcting scratches, holes, and imperfections in your enamel that could eventually lead to sensitivity, cracks, cavities, and fractures. The nanoparticles in our hydroxyapatite toothpaste have a unique way of penetrating your enamel and binding to the hydroxyapatite particles that already exist there. At Davids, we use a very high-quality type and grade of nano-hydroxyapatite, allowing our hydroxyapatite toothpaste to outperform various leading sensitive toothpaste. Check out our third-party lab test results for proof! There you have it, a Davids product you can depend on daily to nurture your teeth and ease discomfort, even as a long-time jaw clencher/teeth grinder. buy now.
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shine bright this spring with natural teeth whitening that soothes your smile, too
Spring is right around the corner, and we want to help you shine as bright as the blossoming world around you! You know we share a deep love for nature, so of course, we prefer to take the natural teeth whitening approach. Natural teeth whitening allows us to avoid the harmful, questionable ingredients you’ll find in most conventional whitening products....while still delivering the same (if not better) bright white results! It does so by nurturing your teeth, gums, and entire oral microbiome, so you can say goodbye to sensitivity and discomfort in the process. how natural teeth whitening outperforms conventional products Unlike natural teeth whitening, conventional whitening products typically all have one thing in common: hydrogen peroxide. This oxidizing agent is famous for its fast, effective whitening powers, and there’s no denying the results. But at Davids, we’re constantly questioning the norm, searching for the best oral care solutions, and prioritizing holistic health along the way. So, yes, hydrogen peroxide works for whitening, but is it the best solution? Well, if it comes at the expense of your oral health (or daily comfort), we think the answer is no. How does hydrogen peroxide sacrifice your oral health/comfort, exactly? it can damage your enamel and tissue: research reveals that hydrogen peroxide can cause “dental sensitivity, cytotoxicity [cell damage], genotoxicity [DNA damage], pulp damage, and gingival irritations, amongst others.” This is because it can wear down your enamel and cause inflammation within your soft tissue as well as the inner layers of your teeth. (This is not the case with natural teeth whitening, which we’ll discuss in a bit.) it releases harmful free radicals: hydrogen peroxide causes the damage listed above because it releases free radicals (harmful, unstable atoms) as it works. These atoms are known to cause oxidative stress in your body (through the damage outlined in the previous bullet) which is actually linked to other health complications down the line. it often results in stinging, sensitivity, and overall irritation: the damage outlined above might show up as painful sensitivity, stinging, itching, and sores inside your oral microbiome. Is hydrogen peroxide whitening worth it? This is why over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide products are either banned or heavily restricted in regions such as the EU, Japan, and Canada. While they’re still widely available in the US, they are not regulated. So it’s important to do your own research to determine if using hydrogen peroxide products is worth it for you. Personally, we strongly prefer natural teeth whitening! natural teeth whitening remedies Just like peroxide-based whitening methods, there are so many different natural teeth whitening remedies out there. From daily toothpastes and mouth rinses to PAP teeth whitening gels and strips, you have so many options in the (safer) world of natural teeth whitening. our premium toothpaste All of our toothpastes are the perfect entry point into the natural teeth whitening world! They’re formulated to nurture a white smile that feels as good as it looks. Our premium micro-abrasives and baking soda gently “exfoliate” your teeth to remove plaque and surface stains, while neutralizing your mouth’s pH for fresh breath. Our sodium cocoyl glutamate is our natural alternative to the chemical foaming agent, SLS. It’s derived from coconut material, and it gives our premium toothpaste a gentle foam, distributing the other ingredients to help with the cleaning and whitening process. To sum things up, you can smile wide knowing every single one of our toothpastes works to give you a safe, nourishing daily dose of natural teeth whitening. pap teeth whitening PAP teeth whitening is stealing the spotlight these days, and for good reason! PAP is a synthetic organic acid that promotes bleaching in a milder manner than peroxides, so it doesn’t cause any of the harsh side effects! It doesn’t release any free radicals as it works, so it doesn’t cause as much (if any) inflammation in your mouth and body. (Note: stay tuned for exciting PAP product announcements from us this year!) There are so many different forms of PAP teeth whitening. You can find it in gels, strips, toothpaste, mouthwash....you name it! One of the coolest things about PAP teeth whitening is that it comes in a “PAP+” option that incorporates hydroxyapatite, your sensitivity superhero! Let’s explore this incredible ingredient a little more, and how you can add hydroxyapatite whitening into your daily routine. hydroxyapatite whitening We know, hydroxyapatite is a mouthful, and it begins with “hydro” just like hydrogen peroxide. It can get a little confusing over here in the oral care world. But we’re here to clear up the confusion and reassure you that hydroxyapatite is one of the best whitening ingredients you can add to your daily routine. (Actually, it’s one of the best oral care ingredients in general.) It’s a natural alternative to fluoride that works to remineralize your teeth from the inside out, repairing any damage done to your enamel. That’s right, it can actually reverse the damage that hydrogen peroxide causes! And it can do so while still whitening your teeth. This is because hydroxyapatite already exists in your teeth and bones, making up roughly 97% of your enamel and 80% of your dentin. That’s even more proof that hydroxyapatite is non-toxic and safe for your body, unlike many of the conventional ingredients out there. When you add hydroxyapatite whitening into your daily routine, you give your mouth a healthy dose of the minerals it needs (kinda like a super-vitamin). On top of this, research shows that hydroxyapatite can also whiten as it remineralizes. Not only that, but hydroxyapatite whitening has long-lasting effects. It actually helps your teeth form a new, healthy white layer on your tooth’s surface by filling in tiny holes and imperfections. The result is a bright white smile that’s way less sensitive, too! Hydroxyapatite whitening comes in many forms too, from toothpaste to mouthwash. We’ve got the best hydroxyapatite toothpaste out there, as it outperformed several leading sensitive toothpaste brands in our third-party lab tests. Not to mention, we’re working hard to create even more out-of-this-world hydroxyapatite whitening products for you! make Davids your go-to for natural teeth whitening With our classic formulas, our hydroxyapatite toothpaste, and so many more natural teeth whitening products on the way, make Davids your go-to for all things whitening. buy now.
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