Which Toothpaste?

Our Burton dentist takes a look at the wide selection of toothpastes now available

Anybody who watches TV can’t help but have noticed the seemingly increasing range of toothpastes that are being marketed. It appears that there is a different toothpaste for every possible problem. The question though is do they work?

In today’s blog, we take a look at some of the different types of these toothpastes that are advertised and offer our advice.

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening toothpastes are perhaps the most widely advertised, and why not? It makes sense that most people would like to have their teeth as white as possible and brushing with a whitening toothpaste seems to be a win-win situation. The reality though is that these toothpastes are only allowed, in law, to contain a very limited amount of hydrogen peroxide, the whitening active ingredient. This is very low in whitening toothpastes. Compare that with the much higher amounts that dentists are allowed to use and it is not hard to see which is most effective. Our verdict, harmless but don’t expect great results.

Gum disease

It is good news that people are now more aware of the problems that gum disease can cause. There are now some very good gum disease toothpastes on the market which contain active ingredients which help to minimise the bacteria which contribute to gum problems. Our verdict; worth buying but remember that you do still need to see the hygienist as well on an ongoing basis.

Sensitivity

Teeth sensitivity is usually caused by damaged or worn enamel. No toothpaste to date has been shown to restore the enamel of your teeth effectively and it is therefore likely that these toothpastes contain an ingredient that helps desensitise the teeth. Our verdict; useful to ease discomfort but any damaged enamel would need to be assessed to determine how best it might be restored.

Charcoal toothpaste

One of the more ‘trendy’ toothpastes but one that has attracted a lot of attention; it is claimed that these toothpastes whiten the teeth. The reality is that they may remove some surface staining but will not affect the darker inner part of the tooth. Any stain removal is likely to be due to the abrasive nature of charcoal which may well wear down the enamel on your teeth if used over-zealously. Our verdict; be cautious with these toothpastes as it is not proven whether they are more effective than standard versions. They could also be more abrasive so take care if you try them.

Which to buy?

Most well known brands of toothpaste are fairly effective if you brush your teeth correctly. Of course, all dentists will have their own preferences, but our advice would be to a) make sure it contains fluoride and b) don’t be tempted by gimmicks; they rarely work and may even cause harm.

If you need any professional dental advice in the Burton area, please call Mike Allen’s Dental Practice on 01283 845345.