Calling dentists & dental nurses: Is fancy toothpaste a rip-off?

[BrainInAJar]

Hey all,

Per a previous thread, I'm trying to cut down on the amount I spend on toiletries.

I have always bought that Pronamel toothpaste as it claims to reharden enamel.

Am I being had? Would I be as well off with any toothpaste as long as it contains flouride?

Thanks

Interested in this! My dentist recommended Corsodyl as I had an area at the back that bled a few times. I started on Corsodyl toothpaste and mouthwash (also got a Corsodyl toothbrush) and have had no bleeding since so will keep using them.

Any toothpaste as long as it has fluoride , with the exception if you are prescribed high fluoride tooth paste by your dentist.
Also some people can be sensitive to sls in toothpastes and should avoid those.
corsodyl should only be used for short term use as
a it causes staining
b you can become allergic to it
c there is some evidence to say bacteria can become resistant.

Gums mainly bleed because you are not cleaning effectively , so it's probably paying more attention to cleaning that is helping rather than the mouthwash etc.

Our dentist prescribes toothpaste for our family. Can't remember what sort it is offhand though.

My dentist told me to stop using Colgate Advanced Deep Clean. I thought it was great as I could really feel the difference versus against a cheaper ordinary toothpaste. But, it is mildly abrasive and this was apparently causing gum erosion - to be fair I had noticed some sensitivity. I now use an inexpensive Macleans number and the sensitivity has stopped. But I don't know if my teeth are any cleaner. The Macleans does contain fluoride.

Thanks everyone.

That's interesting, @TheTecknician I have sensitive teeth and I wonder if using the "gentle whitening" version of Dentyl is making it worse. Albeit it's specifically marketed for sensitive teeth!

No whitening toothpaste actually whitens , in the U.K. and Europe they are not allowed to put in sufficient percentage to whiten.

All "whitening" toothpastes do is rub off any stain , they do not whiten teeth.

Anything which rubs off stain will also wear away enamel making teeth more sensitive. Whitening toothpaste is a waste of money and makes sensitivity worse.

What about those 24 hour toothpaste.
Can they cause sensitivity?

I asked my dentist about this and they said that as long as it has the correct amount of fluoride in it, any toothpaste is fine and that your brushing technique is more important than the toothpaste you use. I use tescos cheapest toothpaste, think its about 50p a tube and my teeth and gums are clean and healthy.

The only sensitive toothpaste that works for me (and my dentist recommended) is the sensodyne repair and protect which apparently has some patented ingredient in (novomain or something)

I use that and a prescription one

If they are not whitening toothpastes then probably not. But the idea that any toothpaste will give 24 hour protection is , frankly, rubbish.
Toothpaste marketing is a triumph of style over substance apart from

sensitive toothpastes , they have ingredients in that will help sensitivity if you rub in at night and leave on

high fluoride prescription toothpastes prescribed by your dentist

biomin toothpastes which actually have science behind their anti decay claims

sls free tooth pastes as some people are sensitive to sls and benzoates

unflavoured , non foaming toothpastes like Oranurse which are good for those who find flavoured toothpastes and the sensations of foam difficult.

Different sensitive toothpastes work for different people so keep trying different ones. However the main thing is to address what has caused the sensitivity eg tooth wear, exposed roots , grinding etc

Yes that and Rapid Repair. I was sceptical but they do work although could be psychological I guess.

Orajel works really well for sensitivity, much better than the cheaper ones

Sorry Rapid Relief.

I think investing in some dental floss and an electric toothbrush has helped my teeth massively. I don't have any fillings but was getting some bleeding from my gums on brushing which has gone away now. My toothbrush also lets me know when I've spent 30 secs on each quarter by buzzing. It cost £30 and has probably saved 10 times that in avoided treatment

Great question op.

I am using a hydroxyapatite toothpaste that costs £14
I do wonder if it’s beneficial or if I’m just wasting my money. I would love to know.

I used Biomin F for some time and I felt my teeth were better for it. At the time I was seeing a revolving door or dentists at the practice so didn’t really have one that had seen my teeth and could confirm it worked, but the last one basically said it was a waste of money so I went back to my corsodyl.

Now wondering if I should return to Biomin. I have incredibly crumbly teeth due to a medical issue so I’m happy to spend more of it actually works.

I've read good stuff about that, very popular in Japan

Biomin is a type of hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
There is good scientific evidence to say that these toothpastes work , though probably no better than high fluoride toothpastes.

I’m using Boka hydroxyapatite toothpaste. Biomin seems to be a similar price.
I had seen an American dentist saying Risewell was the best brand but, at £22, that’s a step too far! I just have never seen a uk dentist recommend it, but maybe it’s because they are American made and the way the dental industry works over there. I’m fortunate enough to still have a (not exactly brilliant or accessible) NHS dentist.

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There is very little difference in a hydroxyapatite tooth paste and a high fluoride toothpaste prescribed by a dentist in terms of decay protection and repair.. There is certainly absolutely no evidence to say one hydroxyapatite toothpaste is better than another.

I have made my own toothpaste with added 60 nano hydroxyapatite powder by Natural Answer Products. Very happy with the results.