Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

Arrgh- the lining of my mouth and gums are raw I use Korean toothpaste, but I picked-up some Crest when I was in Malaysia. Many American brands contain peroxide these days (for whitening) which have the above reaction, so I rabidly avoid whitening toothpastes. Well, this was the regular, non-whitening formula. There is no peroxide in the toothpaste. Could I be more sensitive to American brands now? I heard Korean brands don't contain fluoride- is this true?? God, my mouth hurts- I have a canker sore on my gum to boot!! Looks like no spicy food for me for the next few days~

[sarahsarah]

Korean toothpastes tears my mouth up. I have to use Crest, but I have to stay away from the whitening stuff too because it also hurts my mouth. I didn't have sensitive teeth and gums before coming to Korea. There are now two health related problems on the "never before coming to korea" list...

1. Asthma
2. Sensitive teeth

Korea I love you, but you're making me fall apart!

Yeah, I've heard that most Korean toothpastes don't have flouride, which would explain the state of some of the kid's teeth. I have bought a brand here that does have floride, the package says so anyway. It's called Lucky Star or something like that. It comes in tasty flavors like Tropical Fruit and Cherries Jubilee

[kangnam mafioso]

sensitive teeth and gums are also caused by malnutritution/vitamin deficiency. are you sure it's the toothpaste? double check your diet as well.

[sarahsarah]

Ya know, that's a distinct possibility too.

[AbbeFaria]

I totally stocked up on toothpaste before I left. I bought four of the large tubes which should get me through my first year easy. I was a bit paranoid and I did the same thing with the brand of eye drops I like, contact solution and Carmex. Still happy I did it though. Otherwise it could be me complaining about a sore mouth.

-S-

[BigBlackEquus]

Korean toothpastes are not very abrasive. My teeth turn yellow here, and I don't drink much coffee or smoke. When I was in Thailand, I stocked up on Colgate whitening toothpaste, and am very glad I did. The best toothpaste I found in Thailand, and I am currently out of, is Colgate Herbal White. Good stuff, and not too rough. Kept my teeth white without being too abrasive. Bought it on a fluke, and wish I had gotten more.

For Korean brands that do well with sensitive teeth, try perioe. But I would use it in the evening, and the western toothpaste in the morning, or something like that. 2080 is good, but still not abrasive.

Korean toothpastes just are not very abrasive, and my teeth go yellow.

[Jellypah]

There is a new brand I just found at the major stores - it's called Lucky Star, and maybe it's got whitener in it. It says "Refreshing & White" on the tube, and says vitamin E acetate on the back. Oh - and it's got fluoride too. Non-abrasive, I love the flavours: cherry, tropical fruit, kiwi & lemon- and vanilla's deslish, it's like brushing your teeth with cake!

[kathycanuck]

I had major mouth sores also when I came here; when I stopped using tap water to rinse my mouth, they cleared up and haven't come back. Try rinsing with bottled water....it worked for me.

[LATAN]

You can easily find the American toothpastes (Colgate whiening, baking soda, Crest etc) at Hannam Super in Seoul

[biscuit]

I don't really like the toothpastes here either, they just don't make my mouth feel as clean, but due to lack of opportunity, lately I've been using a cheap Korean toothpaste (perioe)...and it has fluoride in it (�Ҽ�).

[Karabeara]

Are you using a hard toothbrush? Use a soft one. The hard ones will really tear up your gums.

Regular Crest is actually a milder toothpaste.