This article takes a look at Euthymol Toothpaste. A dense, pink, uniquely flavoured paste containing thymol – a natural antiseptic derived from thyme oil. It’s fluoride free, comes in retro packaging that reflects its heritage status and has not one, but two, Facebook fan groups!
Choice of toothpaste matters way more than most people think. Research has linked poor oral health with serious systemic conditions. So it’s important to choose a toothpaste that will protect your oral health and not just for cosmetic reasons.
In this article we answer the following questions:
- What makes a good toothpaste?
- What makes Euthymol unique?
- Is Euthymol abrasive?
- How does Euthymol toothpaste work?
- Is Euthymol right for me?
- What ingredients are in Euthymol?
What makes a good toothpaste?
Obviously, a good toothpaste will clean teeth. But it must also protect them.
All toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients to clean and polish teeth. But abrasives can erode tooth enamel if they’re too harsh. This can lead to the yellow dentin beneath showing through and may cause cavities.
So a good toothpaste should be mildly abrasive and contain an ingredient to help restore and protect tooth enamel. In most cases this is fluoride at a concentration of at least 1000 parts per million (ppm). If fluoride is not used then the paste should contain an alternative.
It should also turn brushing into a pleasure by being enjoyable to use. Factors that can influence this are taste and texture. Lastly, you may have specific oral health concerns, such as gum health, that you want your toothpaste to address.
Euthymol Toothpaste does not contain fluoride but this could be one of the reasons you’re considering it. There have been some claims that fluoride may be linked to a variety of health conditions. If you share these concerns then Euthymol is definitely a product you could consider.
| Good toothpaste Criteria | Euthymol |
| At least 1000ppm fluoride | No, fluoride-free |
| Relative Dentin Abrasivity under 250 | Euthymol has not been tested for abrasivity |
| Makes you want to use it | Taste – unique non-minty taste a bit like sarsaparilla or root beer. Texture – thick and penetrating. |
What makes Euthymol unique?
Firstly taste. Euthymol is the toothpaste equivalent of Marmite. You either love it or hate it.
Thymol and wintergreen give it a slightly medicinal, warming flavour, as opposed to a cool minty feel. Some describe the taste as being like sarsaparilla or root beer.
Secondly, its ‘cult’ status. Despite having almost no internet presence, Euthymol’s followers are devoted to it. It has no less than two facebook fan groups! When it briefly disappeared from the shelves in 2013, there was a black market rush on the product with tubes selling on EBay for a tenner!
And whilst we’re on the subject of marketing, the simple old fashioned packaging makes no claims, bold or otherwise. And it looks like it’s straight out of the 19th Century (when it was first made).
And lastly… it’s PINK!
Is Euthymyol Abrasive?
This is a great question but one that’s hard to answer.
Euthymol does not appear on the Chart for Relative Abrasivity, which means the makers (Johnson & Johnson) have not tested it for abrasivity.
However, apparently Euthymol once contained aluminum oxide as an abrasive which is quite harsh.
Euthymol was reformulated by Johnson & Johnson in 2014 due to changes in European Cosmetics Regulation. Johnson & Johnson would not say which ingredient had to be changed or why. But the abrasive components are now different and less harsh.
How does Euthymol Work?
Though Euthymol does not contain fluoride, it does use ingredients that aim to fulfill the functions of a regular toothpaste.
Namely, safely cleaning and whitening teeth, strengthening tooth enamel, protecting teeth and gums by killing harmful bacteria, and freshening breath.
To achieve this Euthymol uses two abrasives to clean and polish teeth. This includes one containing calcium which helps to replenish the minerals in tooth enamel and strengthen it.
It also uses an ingredient to neutralise harmful acids in the mouth. Research suggests this helps your saliva to remineralise (strengthen) tooth enamel using the minerals it naturally contains.
To reduce plaque and kill the germs that cause bad breath Euthymol deploys the powerful antibacterial properties found in Thymol.
Thymol, wintergreen and menthol provide the distinctive flavour and warming feeling. And to help heal ulcers and sore gums Euthymol utilizes an ingredient that is commonly used to heal wounds.
Lastly, titanium dioxide whitens teeth. This is a pigment which reflects light. It creates an illusion of whiteness that is temporary. It does not actually bleach teeth.
Is Euthymol right for me?
Pros
- Naturally antiseptic
- Pleasing texture
- Fluoride free (which can be a con – depending on your point of view)
- Distinctive non minty taste
- Long lasting fresh mouth tingle
- Non plastic tube
Cons
- Pink paste may take some getting used to
- Contains sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and carrageenan which can cause irritation in some individuals
- Some may find the flavour unpleasant or overpowering
If you are looking for a non-mint, fluoride product than Euthymol is definitely worth considering.
The flavour is distinctive, strong, and not for the faint hearted. It does a thorough job of cleaning your mouth and makes it feel tingly and clean for a long time after brushing.
There are a couple of questionable ingredients. These include SLS and carrageenan, both of which are associated with irritation in some individuals. They are both commonly used and if you are sensitive to either you would almost certainly know by now.
In addition, if you have soft tooth enamel or are very prone to cavities, your dentist will certainly not recommend this fluoride free toothpaste!
That being said, if you try a single tube you could become one if its many passionate devotees.
And if you do, you can buy value multi packs and stock up in case it disappears from the shelves again and make a fortune on eBay (if you can bear to part with it!)
What ingredients are in Euthymol?
- Di-calcium Phosphate Dihydrate (an abrasive containing calcium)
- Sorbitol (artificial sweetener and binder)
- Glycerin (holds moisture and prevents drying out)
- Methyl Salicylate (oil of wintergreen)
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (foamer)
- CI77891 (titanium dioxide, a bright white pigement)
- Carrageenan (thickener derived from seaweed)
- Cellulose Gum (thickener)
- Sodium Silicate (an adhesive that’s used to heal wounds)
- Hydrated Silica (abrasive)
- Thymol (natural antiseptic to reduce plaque and gingivitis)
- Sodium Saccharin (artificial sweetener)
- Sodium Hydroxide (neutralises harmful acids in the mouth)
- Menthol (flavouring)
- CI 14720 (pink colouring)
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A really interesting understanding of Euthymol from reading your website. I remember the shortage a few years ago and then it wad back on the shelves. I’ve always made sure I have a plentiful stock in my cupboard, but I’m finding it difficult to track down and locate. Is there any suggestion that it is being withdrawn from sale, or is it just really difficult to come by these days? Used to be that I could get it in Tesco, Boots, Waitrose, etc. Now, none of these ever seem to have it on the shelves. Is there something I should know?
Hi Ettie, thanks for your comments. So sorry for the delay in replying. It seems that Euthymol is back on the market again and is available in Tescos, Superdrug and other retailers. I hope you have managed to stock up in these difficult times!
Hi EUTHYMOL can be located in most Sainsbury’s in the toothpaste Section 8has a very unique colour I would definitely recommend it.
Boots don’t seem to stock it any more and Lloyds Chemists don’t either
No, it’s very hard indeed to find a stockist
Hi
My partner hates the taste of mint and has used Euthymol for many years, however she has experienced a lot of dental caries, not helped by the fact that Euthymol is Fluoride free.
As a dentist I will ‘always’ recommend a Fluoride toothpaste and you are missing out on a huge market by not having fluoride in Euthymol.
So why don’t J&J put Fluoride in an otherwise unchanged Euthymol paste and market it alongside the original product and open up a new market??
EUTHYMOL CLASSIC
EUTHYMOL with Fluoride
It could well work and I might even start using it myself!
I wonder if as a dentist why you may not realize the some people have a high sensitivity to fluoride, thus finding this a legitimate, alternative, would be an issue for you? Whilst it is an century+20 year old preparation, in which the recipe has had only a minor tweak due to EU regs re the abrasives, yet is still as respected and effective today. With several HUNDRED tooth paste products to choose from already, esp in the US, my former home, having found an alternative that not only includes ingredients that effectively replace fluoride, and what it is purported to do, but also contains ingredients for those like myself that after cancer, losing my entire upper and many lower teeth, I want to protect the few I have left, and also it has cleared the ulcers I constantly had (albiet different episodes, different causes), but has also significantly improved my gum disease, ceased any further receding gum line, and wonder if I had found this before moving to the UK, may have even prevented some of the dental issues I struggled with even before cancer/treatments were just the final push, (or pull;). 58 yrs old and cherish still being able to kiss my husband again when for a long time I was too ashamed, embarrassed. Not sure which was the best reason for a move to the UK, my Fab British hubby, or finding a life changing preparation that unsurprisingly is having a surge in the US. Perhaps Pfizer being involved may have a hand I that, but all I can say, is if you are still practicing, maybee having this in stock for others like me, and if need be,, if fluoride isn’t their issue, recommend a fluoride rinse, or alternating. A mouth or lips without ulcers and kissing my hubby is for some of us genuinely life changing! Cheers from the Weald, Kent garden of England, across the pond!
Fluoride is bad for health. Period! Just like mercury fillings.
Our air, water, and food are contaminated which I believe causes most of our ails.
There are millions of people who like Euthymol the way it is!
Have used Euthymol since I was first introduced to it in 1989 and never had any bother with my teeth – occasional vist to dentist (less than recommended for check ups) and seldom if ever need any work done, I used to use Euthymol in conjunction with Eucryl toothpowder – put your normal amount of paste on your brush then dab it in the powder – a couple of times a week to remove stains on my teeth from smokimg but as I stopped smoking in ’09 thats no longer a problem but still use it occasionally to remove coffee stains…. loooove the taste/smell of the wintergreen!
Ooooh I must try combining the two!
Hi to whoever produces the tubes for euthymol toothpaste- the cap actually screws on first time now!!! Instead of 3rd or 4th attempt – obviously long overdue modification to the cap/ tube screw thread! Anyone else noticed?
Sainsbury do i have
Just got one £2.45 75 mltube
Body care and some home bargains do euthymol toothpaste for less than £2 ?
I have tried this toothpaste for the first time and I was impressed however it left me with a sore mouth, something I have never experienced from any other toothpaste or oral product? Please advise?
Could be the sls (forget what it stands for) in the product, its a known irritant
Euthymol has basically cured my gum disease (after around 3 months of daily usage) after years of using colgate products. I now only need to floss about once a week too. I always found that the Colgate products irritated my tongue if I brushed more than once a day. Glad I made the change, actually prefer the taste too
Can a little child of close to 2 years use EUTHYMOL?
Well, on Boots product spec. it says “Hazardous, keep out of reach of children”. So not sure if I would use it after reading the contents list!
Hi Sanna,
Your quote… “it says “Hazardous, keep out of reach of children” is there to help keep children from EATING the toothpaste, as a mouthful of it swallowed could cause mild stomach upset, as a mouthful of ANY toothpaste swallowed is likely to cause stomach upset!
As a matter of fact, the required amount of toothpaste on a toothbrush (for an adult) is approximately 2mm x 2mm x 2mm… A TINY amount… about 10% of the typical amount most toothpaste manufacturers show in their commercials!!!! I have been using this toothpaste since I was a small child of about 9 years old, and I LOVE the taste as well as the benefits… I am now 77 years old!! With NO false teeth!
Please… definitely USE IT with CONFIDENCE!
All toothpastes say children should be supervised as large amounts are harmful if swallowed .
Is Euthymol suitable for vegans. Are there any animal related products in Euthymol – i.e. Glycerin.
Can a 7year old child use Euthymol ?
Has the size of euthymol got smaller
That’s what I’m experiencing right now. I have sore round in my mouth.. though I love it
I love euthymol toothpaste! I had cravings for it with all 3 pregnancies I ate tubes and tubes of it per week although I wouldn’t recommend that to anyone!