I really hate the way these big companies play around with our lives to make a bit of extra profit for the fat cats. It makes me so angry. Thanks for alerting us to this Brian.

I gave up using Biotene mouth gel and mouth spray a few months ago when it became unavailable in the UK for a while (possibly around the change over time?). As a replacement I found BioXtra, which I find less sticky than Biotene, and their spray is pleasanter too. It is available on Amazon for about the same price and I see they do a toothpaste too. I have never used the Biotene/BioXtra toothpaste as I use Colgate's Duraphat 2800ppm Fluoride toothpaste which is prescribed and recommended by my oncology dentist.

While I was researching alternatives to Biotene online I came across some interesting information on dry mouth products showing which ones are acidic and therefore should be avoided. Biotene and Bioxtra where 2 of the few that were OK, many were too acidic to be recommended. I wonder if the new Biotene formula is still OK. I have not been able to find the article again, but I perhaps I posted this info here so I will go and see if I can unearth it again.

To follow on from my post a few minutes ago... OK I've found my previous post which was nearly a year ago, and the link to the information on acidity of saliva substitutes didn't work! So it looks like I changed from Biotene a year ago.

For information on acidity of saliva substitutes try this link http://www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com/u/ukmi?q=right+product&sa=Google+Search and click on the top link which should be called 'Saliva substitutes - UKMi' this should open a word document. It has been updated in February, since I looked at last November, and guess what, Biotene is now listed as being acidic. I hope you find this helpful.

The information is provided by UK Medicines Information (UKMi)which is a UK NHS pharmacy based service. http://www.ukmi.nhs.uk/ukmi/about/default.asp?pageRef=1

[quote=Brian Hill] Look how many people will by a product that says "natural" on it because somehow that think that is better for them. That term means less than nothing!!! Cancer is natural, so are tons of poisons. [/quote]

Ironically the term when used in meat products is the most regulated throughout the entire food change including "organic".

Well put, Brian. The two tubes I have on hand, allegedly the PBF, have next to no info on them. Only: "Plaque-biofilm loosening formula" (whatever that means) and a little tag "with xylitol".

The single active ingredient on the back is: "Sodium Monoflurophosphate (0.14% w/v fluoride ion)". It's purpose is "Anticavity".

I'm comforted by the ion.

Without going into the differences in all ingredients, I believe you can tell the �old/good� from the �new/junk� by the front of the package.

I have the Gentle Mint Gel flavor (which I�m pretty sure is the �old/good� stuff). On the front in red it states "Protein-Enzyme System", and also "Gentle, Low Foaming Formula", and �Formulated to Not Irritate a Dry Mouth�. On the back the only active ingredient is Sodium Monofluorophosphate (0.14% w/v fluoride ion), and it notes �Naturally Sweetened with Xylitol�.

I found both the new and old versions at a local chain pharmacy this week. The front of the "new/junk" formula states instead in red "Essential Fluoride Tooth Protection", and also "Gentle Formula", and �Designed not to Irritate a Dry Mouth�. It also has in red �New Improved pH Balance�. The only active ingredient is Sodium Fluoride (0.15% w/v fluoride ion) and no Xylitol. My understanding is that sodium fluoride is the cheaper fluoride and not as good as the other one.

There used to be a PBF version of the toothpaste and I haven�t seen that in a few months. I was able to find the �old� version of the Gentle Mint Gel in two stores this week and bought what they had on the shelf. The �new� formula was in the Fresh Mint Original flavor. I noticed the copyright date differed from the old and new versions � new had 2013 as the date.

I was able to find the PBF mouthwash in the same stores which appears to be the old formula for that (copyright date of 2010).

From what I read, one of the �improvements� they added is a foaming agent which is noticeable right away and burns your mouth.

Used copy/paste for above message - missing text issue strikes again. Sorry!

I tried to post a message on how to tell the difference between the old and new (improved) toothpaste tubes. I'll work posting it later when I have time.

Has anyone tried the Epic Dental Xylitol products? I've seen them advertise online,but hoped to hear about someone else's experience with them before buying.

I checked out their website, cats. Looks impressive from the reviews, but of course those were non-cancer patients. I think. I too would be curious to know about it and might just go ahead and order some anyway. In which case I'll post results. Thanks for the tip.

Well crap... I'm so glad I found this thread posted on the OCF Facebook page! This is so very lousy to learn. Last time I tried a conventional toothpaste, I had to spit it out within 10 or 15 seconds, it burned so badly. I've been wondering if Tom's children toothpastes would work for me. They won't have the enzymes, of course, but maybe I could tolerate them.

Damn, I hate corporations.

I am using "Sensodyne" Rapid Relief toothpaste as advertised on TV here in New Zealand. It works and does provide short term pain relief and is an excellent pseudo mouthwash.