Down In The Mouth Kootenai County Inmates Lose Toothpaste Privileges

A new toothpaste policy at the Kootenai County Jail has left a bad taste in the mouths of some inmates.

Last week, jail officials stopped providing toothpaste. Instead, they offer inmates baking soda to clean their teeth.

Jail officials said they switched to the powder to save taxpayers money and to prevent damage to the jail, as well as because it’s more healthful for the inmates.

But some inmates are unhappy with the change.

“It’s too abrasive,” said inmate Andre Laurent. “I’m not going to use it because it will make my teeth worse.”

“You have no way to get rid of that taste in your mouth,” said another inmate who didn’t want to give his name for fear of reprisal.

In the past, inmates could buy a tube of toothpaste from the jail commissary. Those with no money were provided small tubes at county expense.

One reason for the change is that some inmates have squirted toothpaste into the air vents in their cells, Lt. Jeraldine Riggs said.

When jail officials wanted the heating and cooling system checked, the contractor told them they would have to remove the toothpaste before the project could be completed, she said.

Laurent, convicted of felony aggravated assault, insisted the inmates squirted toothpaste into the vents because the air coming in was too cold. He said the cold air gave him several ear infections.

“They keep this place so cold, everybody’s walking around with blankets around them,” he said.

Riggs said the temperature in the jail is kept between 68 and 72 degrees.

The Ada County Jail has run into similar problems with toothpaste. Deputy Donald Lukasik said inmates in one section of the jail used their toothpaste as a glue to hang pictures on the walls.

For a time, the jail staff decided to let those inmates merely use water and a brush to clean their teeth. But they recently started giving them a toothpaste powder similar to baking soda, Lukasik said.

At the Kootenai County jail, a certified nurse makes baking soda available to the inmates four times a day.

“It was just a way to solve two or three problems all in one and a way to still provide them with basic hygiene,” Riggs said.

“Actually if you brushed your teeth with a plain toothbrush and floss you would have teeth just as clean,” said Lori Miller, a dental hygienist. “It’s the bristles that do the work. A breath freshener, that’s all toothpaste generally is.”

Baking soda has been used to clean teeth for many years and has recently shown up in several brands of toothpaste.

Riggs said jail staff also hopes the white powder will save some money.

“Costs are getting out of hand,” she said. “The baking soda is much less expensive than the toothpaste. “