Toothpaste--Is There A Difference?

Author: Madeline Ellis

Americans brush their teeth almost 200 billion times a year and spend over 1.6 billion dollars on it. There is an entire aisle in your favorite department or grocery store dedicated to toothpastes from many different companies claiming a variety of benefits. But, do they live up to their claims? Is there a difference in them, and how do you choose the one that’s right for you?

First, you need to understand how toothpaste works. Your mouth contains one or more of 500 types of microorganisms. These microorganisms feed on leftover food to create acid and particles called volatile sulfur molecules. Some also create sticky plaque from food residue in your mouth. The acid eats into tooth enamel to produce cavities while volatile sulfur molecules give breath its foul odor.

Toothpaste works, with tooth brushing, to clean teeth and fight plaque bacteria.

• Toothpaste abrasives scrub away plaque, help remove food stains from teeth, and polish tooth surfaces.
• Toothpaste delivers fluoride to the teeth which incorporates itself into tooth enamel weakened by acid.
• Ingredients such as natural Xylitol and artificial triclosan contained in some toothpaste hinder the growth of plaque bacteria.

While each name brand has its own exact formula, most toothpaste contains the same basic ingredients, which are a far cry from those used by the early Egyptians in their dental cream: powdered ashes of oxen hooves, myrrh, burned egg shells, pumice, and water!

Fluoride is perhaps the most important toothpaste ingredient. Fluoride incorporates itself into tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to acids produced by plaque bacteria, as well as acids found in fruit juices, soda, and certain foods. Fluoride was introduced in the 1950’s after tests around the world found that it could dramatically reduce cavities.

Abrasives give toothpaste cleaning power, removing stains and plaque, as well as polishing teeth. Look for toothpaste which is abrasive enough to remove stains and plaque, but not abrasive enough to damage tooth enamel.

Unfortunately, many types of toothpaste are too abrasive and actually strip away tooth enamel which never grows back. Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) was tested in a number of popular toothpaste brands. The least abrasive of those tested was Enamel Saver which scored a 44, Colgate and Crest tested mid-range at 106, and the highest was Close-up at 218. Dentists also recommend that you choose toothpaste that is minimally abrasive.

Detergents create the foaming action which keeps the toothpaste in our mouths. The most commonly used detergent is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) which has been linked to the promotion of canker sores in nearly 20% of the population.

Humectants give toothpaste its texture and keep it from drying out.

Thickeners help to create the texture and thickness of toothpaste.

Preservatives prevent the growth of microorganisms in toothpaste, eliminating the need for refrigeration.

Flavoring agents and sweeteners are added to improve the taste of toothpaste. This is usually necessary due to the bad taste of most detergent additives. Saccharin is a common toothpaste sweetener, and while many people are concerned about its safety, leading researchers say there is ‘no danger’ from ingesting the tiny quantities you might swallow in toothpaste. Sebastian Ciancio, D.D.S., director of the Center for Dental Studies at the State University of New York at Buffalo says, “It would take about three months of brushing to get the amount you’d put in just one cup of coffee.”

Coloring agents provide toothpaste with its pleasing colors.

While ingredients such as baking soda or peroxide may give the sensation of a cleaner mouth, most dentists agree that they do very little to clean teeth. Baking soda toothpastes may actually aggravate tooth sensitivity and high blood pressure in those who are susceptible.

What about whitening toothpastes? While they remove stains and plaque from your teeth, whitening toothpastes do not increase the whiteness of the underlying tooth. It is also important to note that, due to their harsh abrasives, these toothpastes may, over time, strip tooth enamel, causing teeth to become sensitive and making them appear yellow.

Consumer Reports recently tested 41 toothpastes for their whitening ability and found no connection between the manufacturer’s claims and stain-removing ability. Even the seven toothpastes that contain peroxide worked no better overall than other toothpastes at lightening or bleaching out stains.

They did, however, find a toothpaste that stood out as a stain remover: Ultrabrite All in One Advanced Whitening. It was one of the least expensive products tested and was no more abrasive than average.

After wading through a mountain of facts and figures, watching commercials and reading the labels, only one thing rings true when you go about the task of picking toothpaste: generally any toothpaste will work well for you if it contains fluoride.