You may have seen the small square stamp on your tube of toothpaste or on the label of your favorite mouthwash. It’s the seal of approval from the American Dental Association, and it means that the product you’re about to buy has passed rigorous testing to ensure it’s safe and effective in doing what it says it does. While it’s not surprising to see it on your toothpaste or favorite mouthwash, there are other items on the market that have also earned the ADA seal that you may not think would. Here’s a look at some of the odd ones.
Brita Filtered Water Bottles
This one earns the seal from the ADA thanks to its water filtration capabilities. More specifically, it earns the seal because it does not remove fluoride from water. Although it has been a topic of debate since it came into existence, community water fluoridation is endorsed by dentists and the ADA as a beneficial public health measure that helps fight tooth decay. Since this bottle filters out other impurities in tap water, but leaves the fluoride, it gets the stamp.
Icebreakers Ice Cubes Gum
Made and distributed by the Hershey corporation, this package of Ice Breakers Ice Cubes gum also bears the ADA seal. 
It’s actually one of several sugar-free gums that have been approved based on the ADA’s finding that chewing sugar-free gum like Ice Breakers Ice Cubes stimulates saliva flow, which reduces plaque acids and strengthens teeth. Some even have an extra ingredient called xylitol, which helps clean the mouth of unhealthy bacteria.
KANKA by Blistex Lip Balm
Produced and distributed by Blistex, Inc., this is actually a treatment for canker sores that the ADA found “effective for temporary relief of pain due to mouth sores, when used as directed.” Aside from toothbrushes and toothpaste, the ADA is adamant about testing for effectiveness and safety to make sure your oral health is protected. For a full listing of ADA-approved products, go to www.ada.org.
