Myeongdong life
Shopping for Korean oral care in Myeongdong: what to put in your basket
Bamboo salt toothpaste, fine-bristle brushes and pocket travel sets. A dentist-friendly shopping list for Seoul’s busiest beauty street.
Myeongdong’s health and beauty stores and convenience stores sell plenty of Korean oral care. Good buys are fluoride toothpaste (look for 불소 and the ppm figure on the box), soft or fine-bristle toothbrushes, compact travel sets, interdental brushes in several sizes and alcohol-free mouthwash. Bamboo salt toothpastes are a popular souvenir; choose one with fluoride if you want cavity protection.
Where to shop
Health and beauty chains line Myeongdong’s main streets, with Olive Young the best known, and almost every corner has a convenience store selling travel-size essentials. Bigger stores give you the widest choice of brushes and interdental brushes.
A dentist-friendly shopping list
- Fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is what protects against cavities. Look for 불소 (bulso) on the box and a figure in ppm; adult toothpastes typically contain around 1,000 ppm or more.
- Bamboo salt toothpaste. A classic Korean souvenir with a salty, herbal taste. Check the label if you want one that also contains fluoride.
- Fine-bristle toothbrushes. Korean brands are known for very fine, tapered bristles that are gentle on the gum line. Choose soft if your gums bleed easily.
- Interdental brushes (치간칫솔) in several sizes. They often clean between back teeth better than floss.
- Alcohol-free mouthwash (무알콜). Pleasant on a long flight, but an extra, not a replacement for brushing.
- Travel sets and toothbrush pouches, the same ones office workers carry. Here is why Koreans brush after lunch.
Korean words on the label
| Korean | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 불소 | bul-so | Fluoride |
| 시린이 | si-rin-i | Sensitive teeth |
| 미백 | mi-baek | Whitening |
| 잇몸 | it-mom | Gums |
| 치간칫솔 | chi-gan-chit-sol | Interdental brush |
| 무알콜 | mu-al-kol | Alcohol-free |
More useful words in our Korean dental phrasebook.
A word on whitening products
Whitening toothpastes can remove some surface stains from coffee and tea, but they do not change the natural shade of your teeth the way professional whitening does. After DIAwhite whitening, skip coloured mouthwashes for 48 hours. If you have veneers or crowns, ask us before using strong whitening products. Here is what to eat after whitening.
Questions people ask
Is Korean toothpaste fluoride?
Many are, but not all. Look for 불소 (fluoride) and the ppm figure on the box.
Where can I buy toothpaste in Myeongdong?
Health and beauty stores such as Olive Young, and convenience stores, are found along Myeongdong’s main streets.
Does whitening toothpaste whiten teeth?
It can remove some surface stains, but it does not change the natural shade of teeth the way professional whitening does.
iUpdated 29 October 2026. Opening hours and prices of places outside the clinic can change; check on the day.