I like to buy toothpaste on arrival in Europe, as the 0.85 oz. “travel size” tubes do not last for a 3-week trip. I know what toothpaste I like in Germany and Switzerland, but this time we will start in Barcelona. Does anyone have a favorite Spanish toothpaste, or “multi-national” brand sold in Spain, that they recommend?
If all else fails you could bring two 0.85 oz toothpaste tubes.
Colgate also comes in the 1.4 oz and 2.5 oz sizes.
Colgate, Sensodyne and OralB are sold in Spain. Otherwise Paradontax, Lacer, and others.
There was an article in Consumer Report a couple of years ago that suggested that almost everyone uses too much toothpaste. Blamed in part on the old Crest ad that showed a whole line of toothpaste covering the length of the brush. Their recommendation was that anyone beyond a small pea was a waste. We converted and the small traveling size lasts a long time.
I just used part of one travel size toothpaste on a three week trip to Asia. I had an extra one along just in case.
Yo prefiero el Licor del Polo. Tiene un sabor maravilloso.
I should have added that I enjoy the adventure of seeking out new toothpaste wherever we go. And I do know to use only a dab the size of a small pea on the brush.
I like the suggestion of the Licor Del Polo and will look for that.
For fun, you can see if anywhere carries the Italian brand Marvin (which they do also produce in travel sizes!). Awesome toothpaste and super fantastic packsging (sometimes it's the small things in life!). They make great stocking stuffers too.
If you're ever in the UK and if you fancy a unique tasting toothpaste then look out for Euthymol.
Here's a brief article from an American's view (obsession on it): http://nymag.com/strategist/article/euthymol-toothpaste-review.html
Personally I haven't used it since my childhood but I might buy some to surprise the kids now that I've remembered it.
Interesting! A toothpaste that tastes like Fernet Branca is intriguing, but I am afraid the bright pink color would put me off.
A friend ran out of her US toothpaste at the end of her trip in Europe and bought a European brand to use. She had a bad physical reaction to it, swollen lips included. The airline would not let her board her flight home until the swelling went away.
Kim, you're so right about the small things! I love Italian tissues. About 8 years ago I bought a package of tissues in Italy - I don't remember the name, but the individual packets showed a boy whose hair was the leafy part of a tree. Best tissues ever. On our most recent trip to Italy, I tried to find that brand and couldn't, but in Venice I did find another brand that is just about as good. Way better than any tissues I've ever bought in the States. And once in Florence I bought DH some shaving cream that he has reminisced about for years. He loved it.
Purchased a local brand in Portugal without without a lot of attention. Surprised to find it had a licorice flavor. Actually it was pretty good since I like licorice.
@ Lola:
I'm sure I speak for many of us, especially Frank, when I tell you we're all relieved that you use only a pea-size amount of toothpaste.
Why doesn't Rick address this part of European trip planning??
Interesting! A toothpaste that tastes like Fernet Branca is intriguing, but I am afraid the bright pink color would put me off.
It is quite a bright pink and difficult to know if it's the toothpaste or whether your gums are bleeding when you spit it out.
Even though you like to pick out European toothpaste, etc. I will share this hint for others reading this post.
I always just bring two tubes of travel size toothpaste, but it’s important to open up the tubes before you leave. The tubes can hold more than the original fill quantity. Just squeeze out the air, place the opening tightly against the opening of your regular toothpaste and squeeze more into the tube.
I have used the same travel tubes repeatedly using this method, and the amount when filled full will give me a solid three weeks of toothpaste, brushing 2-3 times a day.
Oh...don't do that. Shopping locally is part of the travel adventure.
Although, there is this......https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/i-m-afraid-of-my-romanian-toothpaste
Thank you for posting your toothpaste thread!! Omg that made me laugh out loud