Toothpaste flavours: Something for every taste

Once upon a time, toothpaste just tasted like... toothpaste.

For many years, the only flavour choices were mint, and perhaps peppermint or spearmint.

The old standbys remain popular, but these days, toothpastes also come in spicy flavours such as fennel or cinnamon-clove, or even in fruit flavours such as apricot or peach. Recently, toothpastes have adopted more trendy flavours, such as Crest's Vanilla Mint and Mint and Green Tea varieties.

If you're interested in trying a new flavour or type of toothpaste, but don't want to commit to a whole tube in case you don't like it, ask your dentist for a free toothpaste sample. Or check online for coupons so you can try different types at a discount. Also, travel sized toothpaste is available for purchase at most discount department stores or pharmacies.

Of course, toothpaste flavours designed to appeal to kids can help make oral care more exciting. If your child is less than enthusiastic about oral care because he or she doesn't like standard toothpaste flavours, consider fun flavours made for kids. Most come in child-friendly packages and have milder flavours than standard toothpaste.

The key goal is to develop good oral care habits by making twice-daily brushing and daily flossing more fun.