The nice orthopedic surgeon looks at the X-ray of my cervical spine, which also shows my teeth. After looking at the date of birth in my patient file, he raised an eyebrow and remarked in astonishment:
Oh, the way your teeth look on the X-ray, I would have thought you were much younger!
Whether it’s a compliment or an insult (did he just call me old?) – I just take the pithy saying of the nice orthopedic surgeon as confirmation that my teeth are still in very good shape for my age.
For decades there have been two things that have been part of my daily beauty routine: I remove make-up in the evening and I brush my teeth twice a day. Always. No matter where I am and no matter what time I get home. Yes, my teeth are important to me and I am a little proud of them because I have very few fillings and no bridges, crowns or other dentures in my mouth. * knocks on wood *
To keep it that way, I have been using an electric toothbrush and, for years, a toothpaste from my favorite brand, Odol. So far these have been Odol-med3 Original and Odol-med3 Complete Care Natural White.
Odol recently launched a toothpaste for people over 40, the Odol-med3 Complete Care 40 Plus . Of course I belong to the target group, I have to test that!
Products for people over 40: Does that help?
In the test: Odol-med3 Complete Care 40 Plus
If you look at the graphic, you have to admit: By the age of 40, our teeth have been through a lot. Nevertheless, I am mostly skeptical when it comes to products that are specially launched on the market for the 40+ target group. On the one hand, I do not want to be officially pigeonholed by buying such products. On the other hand, I am skeptical whether these products really contain other ingredients than the “previous” products.
This is what the manufacturer writes:
“Teeth and gums change with age. The new Odol-med3® Complete Care 40 Plus toothpaste helps to meet the special requirements of more fragile, more mature teeth and gums. The formula with zinc and regenerating fluoride minerals gently cleanses, helps to compensate for daily mineral loss and to keep tooth enamel, exposed tooth necks and gums healthy – for a lifetime **.
The toothpaste offers SUGAR ACID PROTECTION: Plaque bacteria can convert sugar into acids that cause tooth decay. Fluoride (1) is absorbed by the teeth and strengthens them (2) forms a protective shield (3) thus helping to protect the teeth from sugar acid attacks, the main cause of tooth decay. ** If you brush your teeth regularly ”
The optics
In terms of appearance, Odol-med3® Complete Care 40 Plus does not differ from the other Odol toothpastes. It is just as nicely striped in red, white and blue like the other toothpastes from Odol. Gold accents have been added to the packaging design. Personally, I don’t particularly like that, but that’s a matter of taste.
Mouthfeel and cleaning effect
Speaking of a matter of taste: The Odol-med3 Complete Care 40 Plus has a taste significantly milder than, for example, the Odol-med3 Original . I missed the usual freshness kick, especially at the beginning.
A * oops * experience the first time you brush your teeth: a dull mouthfeel , similar to that after enjoying rhubarb compote. The feeling disappeared after repeated use, so everything is fine again.
Particularly beautiful: the feeling of smoothness of the teeth. For me it is important that my teeth still feel smooth and clean in the evening. Odol-med3 Complete Care 40 Plus does this pretty well, for my taste even almost better than the other Odol varieties I know.
Also great: this toothpaste is very good for my gums ! From time to time I suffer from sensitive gums and my teeth are sensitive to hot or cold food. After four weeks of brushing my teeth with Odol-med3 Complete Care 40 Plus , both have improved significantly.
Ingredients Odol-med3 Complete Care 40 Plus
Aqua, Hydrated Silica , Sorbitol, Glycerin, PEG-6, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Xanthan Gum, Aroma, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Fluoride, Zinc Chloride, Sodium Saccharin, Carrageenan, Limonene, Ci 73360, Ci 74260, Ci 74160, Sodium Fluoride
What is so special about Odol-med3 Complete Care 40 Plus?
Compared to Odol-med3 ® Original especially the addition of zinc. The body needs zinc for the immune system and wound healing, among other things. Otherwise the ingredients are identical. Other ingredients such as PEG-6 (emulsifier), sodium lauryl sulfate (surfactant), sodium fluoride (caries protection), sodium saccharin (dye) and Ci 73360 (dye) are categorized as recommended by the Öko-Test magazine, but can be found in most toothpastes that are on the market.
My conclusion
Odol is just my brand when it comes to toothpaste. I’ve been using the products for many years, trying a new variety every now and then, and it looks like I’m doing very well with them. I can’t even remember the last time something had to be done at the dentist.
I will definitely continue to use Odol-med3 Complete Care 40 Plus for a while and pass it on to my parents. If you have sensitive gums, you should just try this toothpaste, I found the effect good. I would like a touch more freshness, but that’s about it.