To think that Tesco toothpaste at 30p is just as good as more expensive products?

[NewName123]

It has the same amount of Fluoride in it and tastes nice?

And Tesco value mushy peas are the best.

tesco toothpaste used to cost 17p a tube, shocking stealth inflation!

and LOVE that a dentist has confirmed that whitening toothpastes are a con. Shout it out!

I dunno, I've tried the cheap/basics supermarket ones and my teeth felt still as though they had plaque on after but that may be psychological (I can feel plaquey bits with my tongue iyswim, not through teeth as obviously they don't have nerves in the enamel). I get colgate for 69p in poundstretcher though so don't think it's much difference in price so may as well use the brand. If there wasn't a £stretcher near my work I'd not bother probably. I'm meant to use sensodyne and dentist gave me free stuff but it's too expensive usually and I don't really like the taste, plus don't often eat ice cream or things so not too fussed about sensitivity. If you like the basics and it's go tthe same fluoride, I think go for it.

Ooh hazchem that's a great idea actually wrt sensodyne, I might try that.

As long as it contains the recommended flouride levels for adults then value toothpastes are fine

I am going to have to try this, I suffer with a small amount of swelling of my lip after brushing with certain tooth pastes, and tingling / burning.
So after reading this I will give the cheap toothpaste a go. Thanks OP x

Fudge the other thing to do to help (cheaply) with sensitivity is to use mouth wash at a different time to when you brush your teeth so you get an extra coating of fluride.

it is the brush that removes the plaque not the toothpaste

firm toothbrushes can damage gums and cause erosion of enamel especially if combined with a scrubbing type technique medium is what most people should use

mouthwash should be used as directed as most need to be used when you have just brushed teeth so they work on clean surfaces they do not penetrate plaque so if you use 6 hours later it is largely just wasted

I go for 'bunny friendly' too.

teacup my dentist told me not to use mouthwash straight after brushing as it destroys the chemicals left by the toothpaste to destroy plaque. I'm confused now!

teacup Oh that is interesting about the mouth wash. I was told to do the mouthwash at a different time when I was a patient at Kings. I always feel a bit guilty if I don't manage to use it at non brushing times

My DS prefers the Tesco one over the Colgate.
I like Tesco mushy peas too as the colour in them are natural opposed to the E numbers in some of them that make me feel funny.

We are a household where everyone has individual preferences for toothpaste and brushes. I go for cheapy cheap in both, despite sensitivity and have no problems. DH doesn't have sensitive teeth but he does have a sensitive mouth so can't tolerate a lot of the toothpastes. Its Macleans or nothing for him. DS2 likes a small brush and a very fresh taste.

Aside from that its defintitely supermarket own brands all the way (apart from tea and washing up liquid).

it depends on brand of mouthwash, but mouthwash can not get under plaque, however it also depends on what mouthwash is being used for too,

to be honest you could get your teeth perfectly clean with no toothpaste at all but then there would be no fluoride

Thanks teacup I'll feel less guilty about using it straight after brushing. I find even with flossing , timed brushing with an electric toothbrush and ID brushes I still need mouthwash for my teeth to be clean.

I'm a definite fan of cheaper stuff... why pay more if it does the same thing/works the same/tastes the same (or sometimes better).

A bit OT but, Smart Price crisps contain 3 ingredients... Walker's contain too many to read.

I must say... I've never gone to my dentist and had him say "your teeth aren't clean enough", and I use mid range toothpaste and a manual brush!

some peoples teeth are not clean enough obviously but for a lot of people they mean the minty zing tingling which is why milder flavoured toothpastes are generaly perceived in urveys to clean teeth less well hence in my opiion the overwhelming harsh minty taste, i'm a dentist and i hate mint and think nearly all toothpastes taste and smell horrible

your mouth smelling of mint disguises nothing when i look inside it might work on your workmates etc

I'm not after a minty zing. Just trying to keep my plaque scores under 10%. :)

Another dentist here who cannot stand mint. Especially spearmint boak

Those people who use listerine just before they come in to see me? It makes me heave.

The cheap stuff doesn't work for my sensitive teeth. I can only use sensodyne or Colgate pro sensitive both of which are nearly a fiver

When I was having loads of afternoon appointments I bumped into my hygienist in the toilet. I was brushing my teeth as I'd had lunch. She said she had loads of patients that didn't bother because they were seeing her for a cleaning.

MrsBungle try just rubbing on your teeth. It works really well and means the tubes last for ages.

Ooh thanks haz I shall try that.

I can't stand mint. Have to fork out for lemon or lime or cinnamon toothpaste. America has loads of choice, why don't we?!
Was using peppa pig for a bit as it has the same amount of fluoride in as adult toothpaste

Nope, I use the 30p tesco stuff, and the 19p toothbrushes and they do the job just as well. 32 yrs and no fillings, so they can't be that bad. Not that I'm bragging or anything.

Is it true some toothpastes have ground glass in them to act as an abrasive ?