Korean Job Discussion Forums

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Every time I've taken a trip back home I have been sure to stock up on toothpaste, never really sure if I could trust the stuff here and being scared of it by some of the horror you see in the mouths' of the locals. Am I being silly? Is the Korean stuff the same as ours (Can/Amer)?

Taking a trip home soon, so just what to see if I can cross toothpaste off my shopping list.

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

Toothpaste is the same. No fluorine in the water...that's the difference.

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

350 million Chinese dont brush their teeth. They rinse with green tea, like Mao did. Smile

*Source: NPR on the way to work

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

I think it's the same. Do Koreans have bad teeth? You're wasting luggage space better used for Poptarts, I say.

seoulsucker · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:42 pm Post subject:

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

I think a lot of it does not have flouride. I always buy toothpaste when I am on vacation. (Alternatively, you can always search and find colgate here if you really want it). Flouride will save your teeth in the long run. Some Korean toothpastes have it, you just have to know what you are looking for.

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

I've heard from dentists that more important than the toothpaste is a person's brushing technique.

Most of the claims made by toothpaste companies are very exaggerated.
I like Korean toothpaste. Has a good taste.

poet13 · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:16 pm Post subject:

I actually like the one that tastes like pine needles. I have NO idea if it's any good for me though....

peony · Joined: 30 Mar 2005

they sell arm&hammer toothpaste there dont they? and 2080 (is that right? having a memory lapse) and clinx is good

juk-yum (bamboo salt) toothpaste was good too i remember

but yeah, when i first went there, i had the same doubts and bought the costo 5 pack of toothpaste, in the end i gave it all away to those that wanted it as i wanted to try a korean toothpaste

annabel · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Location: Daegu

I really don't think most Korean toothpaste has fluoride in it... I think if it doesn't say so on the box, then it doesn't have it. There's one brand of Korean toothpaste that has it I think, but I'm not sure if it has enough... I've never had a cavity until I came to Korea and used that brand for a year! (And I don't eat that much sugar!)

Now I buy Colgate at the black market in Daegu, it's cheaper than the brands you can find at the grocery stores.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

It's been covered.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=41020

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

I bought some stuff one time when I ran out of my NuSkin stuff, and it was so revolting, I almost threw up.

Now I just stick to NuSkin (which, luckily, I can get here).

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

pastis · Joined: 20 Jun 2006

Brushing with fluoride is highly effective at preventing tooth decay because it remineralizes tooth enamel. Drinking it in the tap water everyday is another matter. Dumping fluoride into the public water supply in the U.S. is an unecessary sham (it's actually how the aluminum industry disposes of much of it's waste: fluoride = a pollutant). Europe doesn't fluoridize it's water, people just use fluoride toothpaste and it's enough.
Brushing your teeth with it is not only safe (just don't be swallowing it in large amounts), but a good idea. Basically, use fluoride toothpaste unless you want cavities and/or root canals.