Thursday, December 1, 2011

Artificial Colors and Artificial Flavors at the Dentist's Office

I've been meaning to write this post for years; my visit to the dentist yesterday finally spurred me to action.

Among the top 10 things you probably never thought of is the fact that the pumice-based polish (prophylaxis paste) the dentist uses to clean and polish your teeth and those of your children contains artificial colors and flavors.

About three years ago, when I really got on my avoid-all-unnecessary-chemicals-at-all-costs kick, I was sitting in the dentist's chair waiting for the hygienist to finish the cleaning by using the prophy paste. As she started to dip the electric scrubber in the small packet it comes in, I noticed the "coarse cinnamon" paste's swirled, two-colored scheme.

Alarm bells went off.

I asked her the ingredients; despite 30 years in the business, she didn't know. I insisted, so she went to the storage closet and returned with the box. Sure enough, artificial colors and flavors! At the dentist's office!

The brand of prophy paste my dentist uses is Premier Enamel Pro; all six of their flavors (cinnamon, grape, strawberry, mint, bubblegum(!), vanilla mint) contain artificial flavors and colors. Nothing is different for the other makers.

The solution? The hygienist now uses plain pumice to clean and polish my teeth. I am her only patient who she has ever done this for and the only person who ever asked her the ingredients in the prophy paste.

Alas, I don't think I am crazy, but please don't even get me started on the ingredients in the toothpaste they give out!

7 comments:

  1. Artificial colors and flavors are added in everyday products to improve their look and taste. Most commercial products contain these flavor enhancers. As regards flavored prophy paste, every dental patient should be given the choice between flavored and unflavored variants.

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  2. I asked her the ingredients; despite 30 years in the business, she didn't know. I insisted, so she went to the storage closet and returned with the box. Sure enough, artificial colors and flavors! At the dentist's office! dentist office

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  3. It is common to add artificial colors and flavors to everyday products to improve their appearance and taste. Most products contain these chemical additives, even foods.

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