Since I’ve already kicked off Oral Health Month by divulging my darkest oral hygiene secrets, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to write my review of a product that arrived in the new year: OraMD.
I’m usually willing to try just about anything, and when a company pitches a product that can be used for my entire family, I know other families will want to hear about it, too. So for all intents and purposes, OraMD should have made a huge splash in my home.
While I’m thankful that the company sent me a bottle of its versatile toothpaste/mouthwash combo product, I’m going to apologize in advance. This ain’t gonna be pretty.
THE GOOD
I love natural products, so the one huge thing OraMD has going for it is its ingredients: peppermint, spearmint and almond oil. That’s it. No glycerin, no SLS, no silica, no GMOs, no chemicals that are potentially doing more harm to your system than good for your teeth. No question, this is probably the cleanest “toothpaste” out there aside from good ol’ baking soda.
There’s a 365-day guarantee, as long as you follow a specific four-step process. Guarantees are good. Guarantees for a year on a product like this are unheard of.
I really struggle to find much else to include in this section, except that if you can get through the process, I’m sure your breath smells like minty fresh goodness.
THE GAFFE
Let me start by saying that I like mint-flavoured mouthwashes. I like spearmint gum. I can even stomach peppermint candies, even though I’m not a candy-lovin’ gal. And I have used some pretty gross toothpastes in the past in an effort to use non-controversial ingredients (think lemon and salt – VILE!). I can’t stand this stuff. The instructions suggest using two drops on your toothbrush, so – having never used anything like this before – I started with one. I was expecting some essence of the almond oil, but my mouth was met with a flash freeze. The OraMD hit my tongue and the roof of my mouth with a fervour unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. If you can imagine a freezie made out of pure, strong spearmint blasting into your mouth and all but paralyzing everything in it, that’s what it was like. I’ve tried it half a dozen times, but I just couldn’t do it anymore. Sorry.
It’s not just about the flavour; it’s about the feeling. It stopped me in my tracks and I couldn’t wash that feeling out of my mouth for a long, long time. Have you tried Anbesol? The stuff that numbs babies’ gums to take the edge off teething? Well, before I ever put any of it into my baby’s mouth, I tried it on myself. Suffice it to say that I disliked the feeling so much that I never gave it to either of my kids. And it was the same with OraMD; there was no way I was going to let it get anywhere my kids’ mouths, and the look on my face was enough that Big B had zero interest in trying it himself. If you love that numb, tingle-y feeling you get when your foot falls asleep, then OraMD might be right up your alley.
It’s really expensive. I guess if you’re the kind of person who buys high-end toothpaste AND uses mouthwash twice daily AND buys breath mints, then perhaps it’s comparable since you can kill three proverbial birds with one stone bottle. But if you’re the average person brushing twice a day and that’s it, you’re not going to find the OraMD much of a bargain. It’s more than $20 a bottle.
Anytime I Google a product and the word “scam” comes up attached to it in any way, I get nervous. I don’t know how you can be “scammed” by a toothpaste manufacturer, and I’m super-conscious of the fact that competitors can get nasty and actually set up fake sites and reviews to create a scam out of nothing. But – do your due diligence if this is a product you decide to purchase.
THE GEARS
2/5 (I really, really wanted to give it a “1” but at the end of the day, the ingredients are so clean that it deserved better.)
Suzie Andrews says
I started using oraMD a few weeks ago after my dentist recommended it. I do not agree with your review at all. I don’t love the taste, but it’s not as bad as you oh so dramatically stated. I also don’t think it’s that expensive. It lasts a long time, I haven’t used it but a few weeks so not sure how long it will last. Dental health is worth the cost at any rate.
Mommy Gearest says
Congratulations on having a less-dramatic reaction to the product. 🙂
Charlene says
I happen to love this product. Several years ago my gums were receding and I started the process of scaling as recommended by my dentist. Can you say painful??? Expensive??? I did a search for a natural product and found oramd. While it took me awhile to get used to the taste, it was so worth it. I used oramd for 6 months, went to a new dentist without mentioning my gum problems and was shocked when he told me with the exception of a couple of deep pockets,they were pretty healthy. I just recently bought a special where you buy 3 bottles get 2 free for $59 and that is enough to last me for 6 months. Do the math…..gum disease is a huge expense often costing thousands even with dental insurance.
Mommy Gearest says
I guess if a dentist put a gun to my head and told me it was that or OraMD, I’d go with the OraMD. But only under the threat of death.
Charlene says
I happen to love this product. Several years ago my gums were receding and I started the process of scaling as recommended by my dentist. Can you say painful??? Expensive??? I did a search for a natural product and found oramd. While it took me awhile to get used to the taste, it was so worth it. I used oramd for 6 months, went to a new dentist without mentioning my gum problems and was shocked when he told me with the exception of a couple of deep pockets,they were pretty healthy. I just recently bought a special where you buy 3 bottles get 2 free for $59 and that is enough to last me for 6 months. Do the math…..gum disease is a huge expense often costing thousands even with dental insurance.
Mommy Gearest says
I guess if a dentist put a gun to my head and told me it was that or OraMD, I’d go with the OraMD. But only under the threat of death.
Jill says
We just wanted to thank you for reviewing the product. Yes, it’s true some people don’t like the taste of OraMD. We get a little under 1% returns and it’s almost always because of the taste. OraMD is pretty potent and if the taste is too strong we suggest starting with just one drop for about a week. That gives you more time to get more acclimated to it and to start noticing the real fresh clean feeling it leaves in your mouth after use. If that doesn’t work, then it’s just not for you.
Mommy Gearest says
Thanks for your comment, Jill! At least you have a good return policy in case someone can’t handle the intense taste. I did start with just one drop, actually and tried it for nearly a week, but I just couldn’t get used to the minty blast. And since I was reviewing it with full family use in mind, there’s no way I could recommend it for people with little kids. However, for grown-ups who love the heat that fills your mouth with peppermint oil this is a great, natural option.
Jill says
We just wanted to thank you for reviewing the product. Yes, it’s true some people don’t like the taste of OraMD. We get a little under 1% returns and it’s almost always because of the taste. OraMD is pretty potent and if the taste is too strong we suggest starting with just one drop for about a week. That gives you more time to get more acclimated to it and to start noticing the real fresh clean feeling it leaves in your mouth after use. If that doesn’t work, then it’s just not for you.
Mommy Gearest says
Thanks for your comment, Jill! At least you have a good return policy in case someone can’t handle the intense taste. I did start with just one drop, actually and tried it for nearly a week, but I just couldn’t get used to the minty blast. And since I was reviewing it with full family use in mind, there’s no way I could recommend it for people with little kids. However, for grown-ups who love the heat that fills your mouth with peppermint oil this is a great, natural option.
Lori Butler says
this would be something to try.. I must look for it
Lori Butler says
this would be something to try.. I must look for it