Is there a difference between toothpastes and, should they be used at all?

Question: an acquaintance of mine operating in the advertising industry says all toothpastes are practically the same, the difference is only in price, advertising and design. Some argue that toothpastes could go without at all, as toothbrush and water are enough to clean teeth, while toothpaste is only meant to freshen your breath. What is your view on this?
Aren’t those toothpastes sold in pharmacies and eco shops better than the cheapest ones sold in supermarkets and Drogas though?

Says dentist Rūta Rastiņa:

Good afternoon. A good and broad question that would require an equally broad answer.

I will start with a culinary comparison, as in the SECTION of DELFI for women, with food supplements. The fine addition of many spice mixes (thyme, rosemary, cumin, oregano, garlic, curry, vanillin, cinnamon, etc.) is what defines the specific purpose of application of each spice mixture. One for fish dishes, another for meat, another for flour dishes, desserts or soups, etc. But all are for improving, highlighting the characteristics of food, right?

What is toothpaste for?

Same with toothpastes. They all share the objective of ensuring oral hygiene, freshening the mouth, removing the lining not only from the teeth but also from the gums, tongue, other mucous membranes, thereby delaying the onset or treatment of caries, gum and mucous membranes.

If oral hygiene is good, sufficient saliva shall be accessed to the hard and soft tissues of the teeth. Saliva is the only biological fluid that hydrates mucous membranes and mineralizes the most solid tissue in the human body — dental tissue — and, first, enamel. By removing the bacterial plaster and inhibiting its occurrence (including the creation of a hard plaster – denture), toothpastes ensure the health of teeth throughout human life.

Grouping of toothpaste could help to understand their particular meaning and disparity from each other. There are:

1. hygienic (prophylactic);
2. medically prophylactic;
3. medicated toothpastes;
4. bleaching pastes, etc. specialty pastes.

There is also a different breakdown of toothpaste. For example, the American dental Association (ADA) divides them as follows:

1. anti-cariotic pastes;
2. anti-cariosa + denture “controlling” pastes;
3. anti-cariosa + tooth sensitivity reducing pastes;
4. anti-cariosa + denture generation + gum inflammation “controlling” pastes;
5. “controlling” pastes for the formation of denture.

All toothpastes are also divided by application:

• for children under 6 G.M.
• teens up to 12 G.W.
• adults.

Prophylactic toothpastes

The idea of prophylactic toothpaste is included in its name – it ensures that diseases are prevented and used on a daily basis. The components in them delay the onset of gum inflammation, caries, create a sense of freshness in the mouth. These pastes also include so-called “family” toothpastes.

FLUORINE

Pastes containing fluorine are particularly important in Latvian circumstances. Fluorine is a mineral element that is active in the crystalline structure of the tooth enamel, reducing the solubility of the enamel and ensuring greater tooth resistance to the effects of factors causing caries. Fluorine as an additive is only required in climatically geographical areas where the amount of fluorine in drinking water is less than 1-1,3 mg/l itre. If the amount of fluorine is significantly lower (as is the case in Latvia), the systematic use of fluorine (in toothpaste, etc. in hygiene products) is the only guaranteed anti-carousel measure that produces a very good result in the population. It’s been proven in the world since the 1950 s. For example, Scandinavians 60 years ago had as high a level of caries as they are now in Latvia. The use of fluorine individually and collectively (in children’s institutions, etc.) has produced an amazing result: the level of caries in the Scandinavian countries is one of the lowest in the world.

Anti-cardial prophylactic pastes contain various fluorine compounds, at higher concentrations in adults of 1100 < microg F/g and at a lower 500 microg F/g, in children. These toothpastes should be taken twice a day for life. In particular, children should not use adult toothpastes with a high FLUORINE content, nor lick, chop or put more paste on the brush than a small pea. Otherwise, tiny snowflake-like spots will appear on the permanent children’s teeth, showing that the tooth has received too much fluorine.

Anti-hearted pastes may contain combinations of different minerals, but do not contain fluorine (e.g. adult toothpaste R.O.C.K.).

Medicated prophylactic (including combined toothpastes) pastes contain additives for the treatment of oral diseases, e.g. weak antimicrobials such as herbs, enzymes, sea salt, vitamins.
These pastes are recommended if there is a slight inflammation of the gums, if it is desirable to slow the formation of the denture if there is caries (ELMEX Anticaries; Colgate GRF; crest cavity Protection, etc.).

Medicated pastes should only be used when recommended by your doctor or hygienist. These pastes contain significantly stronger antimicrobials (triclosan, chlorhexidine, etc.) and are not intended for children or daily use, but only as courses. Examples include Presidident active, Lacalut, Colgate ® Total (with combined effects – anti-caries, anti-blemish and anti-gingivitis (gum inflammation)), etc. New paste Arthrodont (contains 1% Enoxolon) will delight those with periodontal disease as it promises a significant increase in collagen synthesis in the gums.

Natural, homeopathic, ayurvedic spreads

For both prevention and treatment. They are composed exclusively of natural raw materials such as water, calcium carbonate, soda, glycerol, plant extracts. Their colour may not be used to this. They do not contain strong abrasives, synthetic additives, dyes, fragrances, bleaching chemicals, possible irritant compounds (e.g. sodium lauryl sulphate – SLS, tauranol, etc.), whether or not metaphosphates, polyphosphates or pyrophosphates (Ginseng, Tom’s natural toothpaste, Planta Puri purifying toothpaste, Aloe ice, Weleda, etc.).

Some of them contain FLUORINE (an “unnatural” additive) and that is why I would advise friends of nature and all of the “green” adherents, however, to choose these from the entire natural mail group!

There is no compelling evidence in world literature of the specific effects these pastes have on oral health. Whether everyone has homeopathic means – everyone has to feel it.

Bleaching toothpastes

A separate group of toothpastes are so-called whitening toothpastes (Crest extra Whitening, crest Multicare Whitening, Aquafresh Whitening, Colgate Total Plus Whitening, Rembrandt Whitening, etc.). They contain aggressive bleaching agents, hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide. Some bleaching pastes have a low ph (they are acidic) to boost their exposure. Their use without consulting a dentist should not be recommended.

What do I do when choosing toothpaste?

READ what they are for and what their constituents are, what the fluorine concentration is (if the paste contains fluorine).

YOU HAVE TO ASK your hygienist, your dentist.

Pastes and toothbrushes should BE CHANGED.