Have you ever noticed that just about every toothpaste you find at the store is mint flavored? From peppermint and spearmint to Mint Chocolate Trek, Vanilla Mint Spark, and Lime Spearmint Zest; the thing that nearly all toothpaste has in common is mint. Humans can distinguish hundreds of different flavors, so what is it about mint that has made it into such a dominant flavor in toothpaste?
The first factor to examine is the abundance and accessibility of mint oils. Mint oil is cheap and there is an abundance of it year round, which makes it ideal to use as a flavoring when mass producing products.
Another critical factor that keeps mint in favor as the top toothpaste flavor is the tingling fresh sensation that mint causes in the mouth. You have probably noticed that mint makes your mouth feel colder and leaves a sensation. This cooling feeling can be appealing or even addicting, and creates the assumption of fresher breath. This chemical reaction is what toothpaste manufacturers have been capitalizing for nearly one hundred years.
Other flavors of toothpaste that can work just as well do exist if you search hard enough. These toothpastes may suit your taste better, and work in the same way. One popular example is Tom’s of Maine, which produces toothpaste flavors such as orange-mango. Other flavors that you can find include jasmine, scotch, honey, blueberry, and even Oreo.