4 march 2012, euthymol-ient

Sunday 4th March 2012

As a family, we have conservative tastes in toothpaste. My other half, who has a homeopathic side, eventually found a perfect one for our kids, when they were young in germany, and so when we left we brought a year’s supply with us. We picked up the same when travelling there a year later, giving us the excellent tale to tell of travelling to germany to shop for toothpaste; rather spoilt when we found it in a health shop in bramhall a few miles down the road. A year later though, crunch time, and failed internet shopping coupled with the acceptance that by now we should probably be using fluoride, helped bring in a second choice but accepted alternative, to be found at the local supermarket. I was frequently heard saying that my grandpa (23 january 2012) cleaned his teeth with a bit of salt and they were perfect until the day he died; that though was before everything that passes our lips had sugar in it. The adult half of the family are not picky at all. However, in the search for an acceptable youngster alternative, I did at one point buy euthymol, attracted by the beautiful art nouveau styling of its packaging, and its promise of distinctive flavour. That it was, resembling nothing more than germolene, another quirky english product my other half hates. However, I rather liked it. That helped with the imperative to practice what I preach, and not simply throw it away. Instead, I am determined to finish it, using it only in the mornings, moments before I leave for work. Though just a tiny boost to my conscience, and a smaller one to our household finances, I’ll take these positives anywhere I can get them. It’s worth it.