spit take: how to nurture your saliva to keep good health flowing
Did you know that in an average lifetime, you’ll produce over 23,000 liters of saliva? That’s nearly 80 bathtubs-full! While most of us go through our days without really thinking about the importance of saliva, it plays a crucial role in our oral and overall health. From protecting your enamel to enhancing your taste, you might be surprised just how many functions saliva carries out every day. To celebrate this incredible liquid, let’s explore what exactly saliva is, why it’s so important, and how you can nurture healthy saliva through mindful, everyday habits. what is saliva? The easiest answer to this question is that saliva is spit, but in the world of oral and overall health, it’s much more than that! It’s a (mostly water-based) fluid. Your saliva is up to 99% water and 1% proteins, salts, electrolytes, glucose, urea, hormones, and more. Healthy saliva contains up to 1,000 different types such as enzymes, mucins, antibodies, and anti-inflammatory peptides. That’s a lot of substances for a little bit of liquid! Each of these substances helps your saliva carry out crucial functions to nurture your overall health, which we’ll cover in a bit. how is saliva produced? It’s no surprise that your saliva comes from the salivary glands in your oral cavity (mouth). Three pairs of major glands make about 90% of your saliva: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. Many other minor glands make the remaining 10%. Many things can influence your saliva production, such as the things you smell, the food and drinks you taste, and the consistency of the foods and drinks you put in your mouth (crunchy, soft, sugary, acidic, etc). Many people don’t realize that saliva production is also directly linked to your nervous system. No matter what “mode” your nervous system is in, it should always trigger saliva production. But when your parasympathetic nervous system (aka your fight, flight, freeze response) gets activated, it can have larger, longer-lasting effects on your saliva. It can change the volume and consistency of your saliva, leading to dry mouth and other uncomfortable consequences. This is just another reminder that stress can have massive underlying effects on your holistic health! functions of saliva Saliva has so many incredible functions throughout your body. In a way, saliva is a prime example of our motto, “Your mouth is the window to your overall health.” What do we mean by that? Let’s explain by diving into saliva's importance as it nurtures your holistic health. saliva coats your mouth and throat: this coating acts as a barrier between your oral mucosa (the soft membrane that lines your mouth) and the foods and contaminants that enter your mouth. For example, if you’re outside breathing in car exhaust, cigarette smoke, pollen, and other irritants, healthy saliva will protect your oral mucosa from these things! saliva flushes out your mouth: not only does saliva help you wash out food debris, but it also helps to preserve your enamel, a healthy bacterial balance, and a healthy pH balance in your mouth. This is why dry mouth can be so detrimental, as it allows bacteria to flourish and release acids that can harm your enamel and gums. saliva enhances taste: healthy saliva acts as a dissolvent when you eat or drink something, interacting with your taste buds and bringing out more distinct flavors. saliva aids in digestion: in a similar manner, saliva begins the digestive process! This is why your mouth can start watering right when you smell a delicious meal. Once food enters your mouth, saliva binds to the food to break it down and make it easier to chew and swallow. saliva can indicate larger health risks: your saliva contains your DNA (hence mouth swabs for DNA tests). The DNA in your saliva (or lack of saliva, aka dry mouth) can indicate conditions like cancer, aging, hormonal imbalance, viruses, cardiovascular complications, allergies, nutrient absorption issues, and more. Not to mention, the volume and composition of your saliva can indicate other systemic health issues such as insulin resistance, diabetes, oral infections, and beyond. As you can see, healthy saliva (or lack thereof) plays a huge role in our daily lives and can tell us so much about our overall health! how can you nurture healthy saliva? Daily intentional habits can help you maintain healthy saliva. If you have unexplained dry mouth or other issues with the volume/texture of your saliva, we highly recommend visiting your dentist! But if you’re looking for general maintenance, check out these tips below. stay hydrated: especially in these summer months, ensure you’re getting 100-125 ounces of water daily and consider adding electrolytes to your water. Remember, your saliva is made up of these substances! eat a mouth-healthy diet: to us, a mouth-friendly diet consists of whole foods that stimulate healthy saliva production and give your mouth a daily dose of essential nutrients like proteins, calcium, vitamin D, fiber, and phosphorus. avoid alcohol and tobacco: alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it can dehydrate you by depleting your body’s salt and fluid stores. Tobacco contains nicotine, a substance that’s known to decrease saliva flow and cause dry mouth. The same goes for vaping and smoking cannabis…you’ll want to avoid all of these substances to nurture healthy saliva! manage stress: mindfulness, deep breathing, and exercising are all great ways to calm your nervous system and help your body produce adequate amounts of healthy saliva. As we mentioned, chronic stress is a massive underlying cause of salivary issues like dry mouth (among other oral and holistic health issues). address mouth breathing: if you’re mouth breathing during the day, mindfulness can help you switch to intentional nasal breathing. If you’re mouth breathing because you’re congested, you’ll want to identify the root cause (allergies, viruses, etc.). But if you suspect you’re mouth breathing at night (waking up with dry mouth, bad breath, or drool stains), try mouth taping. Among many other negative impacts, mouth breathing dries out your mouth, so it’s essential to address if you want to maintain healthy saliva. brush daily with Davids the best dry mouth toothpaste: our natural dry mouth toothpaste is formulated with premium moisturizing ingredients like xylitol, peppermint oils, and vegetable glycerin to stimulate saliva flow and keep your mouth from feeling dry. On top of that, our hydroxyapatite toothpaste contains essential minerals to fortify your enamel against bacteria…like the bacteria that flourish under dry conditions. Together, these ingredients can work wonders for nurturing healthy saliva. We hope this article inspires you to feel grateful for your spit…the often unsung hero of our oral and overall health! buy your premium toothpaste now
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a fresh take on plastic free july: from mindfulness to zero waste toothpaste
More than just a pledge to reduce plastic waste for a month, Plastic Free July is one of the biggest environmental movements of our time. Rebecca Prince-Ruiz (founder of the Plastic Free Foundation) and a small team in Australia started Plastic Free July in 2011, and in just over a decade, it has grown from a simple inspiring initiative to a full-blown global movement.While a 100% plastic-free month might sound daunting, the core purpose of Plastic Free July is to increase awareness around plastic consumption and empower you to make simple swaps you can continue for months and years to come. Trust us, once you start making these mindful swaps (like switching from conventional toothpaste to our zero waste toothpaste), they can quickly become second nature. To spark some inspiration, let’s start by unwrapping some of the extraordinary positive impacts of Plastic Free July. the incredible impacts of Plastic Free July In just five years, Plastic Free July participants have saved 1.4 billion kgs of plastic and a whopping 10 billion kgs of total waste. In 2023 alone… 89 million people in over 190 countries participated in Plastic Free July. In their households, participants avoided: 900 million kg of non-recoverable waste. 700 million kg of recyclable waste. 240 million kg of plastic waste. The movement reached 29% of consumers. 87% of challenge participants maintained at least one lasting change. The top six participating countries included China, India, the US, South Korea, Italy, and Brazil. Let’s keep it up this year! You can take the challenge and explore resources to get you started on your journey. We’re sharing some of our top tips below! our top tips to get you started As the ancient proverb goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” master mindfulness. Whether you’re mindful of it or not, you’re going to encounter plastics every single day…probably everywhere you go! By taking your brain out of autopilot and shifting into mindfulness, you can start to take note of all the unnecessary plastics in your life. We encourage you to pause, take a deep breath, and scan your body and your surroundings throughout your day. You might be surprised how much this helps with your Plastic Free July journey! start small. Before Plastic Free July rolls around, try to take inventory of some single-use plastic products you run into daily/weekly. Maybe it’s plastic produce bags at the grocery store or the lid on your take-out coffee cup. Start there! keep a list. Identify plastic products room by room in your home/workplace. In the bathroom, you might find items like shampoo and conditioner bottles, plastic toothpaste tubes, or deodorant. In your kitchen, think of things like cleaning products, dish soap, and paper towels (which usually come packaged in plastic). Keep a list of these, so that when you run out of your current items, you can replace them with plastic-free alternatives even after Plastic Free July! ask for (or bring) alternatives when you go out. Dining out is a huge culprit when it comes to single-use plastic waste. When getting started on Plastic Free July, be prepared for common plastics when you go out: skip the straw, bring your own cutlery, ask for paper to-go boxes, and skip the plastic bag. This is a great way to make an impact and spread the word to your friends (and restaurant staff) throughout Plastic Free July! Check out the Getting Started page on the Plastic Free July website to explore their tips for avoiding plastic produce bags, coffee cups, plastic bags, meat packaging, and so much more. simple plastic-free swaps from Davids More and more people are catching on to the fact that the conventional oral care world has some pretty dirty plastic secrets, and we’re so proud to bring you premium plastic-free products that challenge the status quo. Here are a few of our favorite Davids oral care swaps to kickstart your Plastic Free July. refillable floss: if we assume that every person in the US purchases three floss containers per year, that’s over 700 million plastic containers thrown away annually in the US alone. Note that this is only an estimate, as many people don’t floss (which is a tragedy in itself). Our refillable floss solves this plastic waste problem…you never have to throw it away! Simply grab a refill to put in your existing container, so you can easily start reducing this shocking 700 million number. zero waste toothpaste: you’ve probably heard us say this before, but it’s estimated that close to one billion plastic toothpaste tubes make their way into landfills and pollute natural ecosystems every year in the US. Our zero waste toothpaste comes packaged in an infinitely recyclable aluminum tube, so you can avoid contributing to this pile of tubes. Not to mention, you can enter the following message on Line 2 of your address field at checkout to truly make it a zero waste toothpaste! ***REMOVE TUBE KEY/CAP/BOX*** bamboo toothbrush: just like toothpaste tubes, Americans throw away over one billion plastic toothbrushes per year. You can avoid contributing to this issue by swapping to a bamboo toothbrush, which can decompose in as little as a few weeks when you send it to a commercial composter in your area. Not to mention, bamboo is naturally antibacterial, and bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. It’s the perfect material for a household item that must be replaced every three months! stainless steel tongue scraper: some tongue scrapers out there are made with plastic grips (or made completely out of plastic). Our stainless steel tongue scraper is exactly that…100% stainless steel. It’s durable, effective, easy to use (preferred by dental professionals), and dishwasher safe, so you can use it safely for the rest of your life. Consider it the perfect addition to your long-term, plastic-free oral care routine! The best part? These simple swaps can easily lead to long-lasting changes, nurturing your health and the health of the planet far beyond Plastic Free July! buy your premium toothpaste now
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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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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 premium toothpaste 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 premium toothbrush 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 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 farmers’ 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 hydroxyapatite toothpaste 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 premium toothpaste now
Learn moreeverything you need to know about smarter, cleaner oral care
Better oral care begins with knowledge. That’s why our dental care blog goes beyond trends to share insights that help you make health- and earth-conscious choices for your smile.
Learn about everything from innovations like nano hydroxyapatite (nHA) to understanding what natural whitening involves. This oral health care blog breaks down the science with clarity to make it easy to understand and apply.
the Davids difference
Davids story began with a mission: to create premium oral care that’s good for people and the planet.
Every decision we make stems from integrity and respect for the environment. We use premium, naturally sourced and derived, USA-origin ingredients, recyclable metal tubes, and sustainable packaging.
As a family-owned and operated business going up against the giants of the toothpaste industry, we hold ourselves to higher standards because clean doesn’t just describe our premium ingredients; it describes our values, too.
You can read about these values and more in our transparent dental care blog.
sustainability in action
If you’re trying to live clean, we’re the toothpaste brand for you and your family. From recyclable packaging and aluminum tubes to our commitment to USA-based production, we’ve built sustainability into every step of our process.
We’re helping make conscious care a daily habit by reducing waste and supporting local manufacturing.
Learn, question, and smile brighter. Our oral health blog is an open space for learning and exploration. We hope each post will help you think differently about oral health and feel more empowered in your daily care routine.
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