...to be so confused by toothpaste

[5Foot5]

Or at least why there has to be so many, many varieties.

I just nipped in to the supermarket to but some more toothpaste, usual brand (comes in a red box). It suddenly struck me as I was dithering over which one to get, how many choices there are and how impossible it is to know what distinguishes them all from each and which to get.

Just taking my usual brand as an example (also begins with a 'C') I counted no fewer than 17 different options with names that all seemed to be some permutation of "Total", "Advanced", "Whitening", "Sensitive" or "Fresh" together with the odd maverick variation like "Gel" or "Stripe". I mean can someone tell me what the actual difference is between "Total Whitening", "Advanced Whitening", "Total Advanced Whitening" and "Deep Clean Whitening"?

I can feel a letter to the manufacturers coming on!

And that is just one brans; the others all seemed to have many varieties to but to a lesser degree.

Does anyone know why?

Teacup, thank you for that post.

I work in a lab testing how well toothpastes kill bacteria. Yes, the triclosan is v effective at killing bacteria especially those associated with gingivitis/periodontal disease and halitosis. Unfortunately many manufacturers started throwing triclosan into everything and marketing it as "antimicrobial" this has quite rightly been controversial! And I mean everything: socks, chopping boards, dishcloths etc

Fluoride isn't antibacterial; rather it can reverse the early of caries (decay) via re-mineralisation.

The toothpastes that contain arginine or bicarb work because they raise the ph of plaque so exert an ecological effect. Bacteria ferment sugars to acid so these toothpastes help keep the ph high. This is because other types of bacteria metabolise bicarb and arg to ammonia.

A bit of a monopoly then, Boombooms?

Ingredients - Colgate Total

Aqua, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Sorbitol, PVM/MA Copolymer, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Aroma, CI 77891, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Fluoride, Carrageenan, Triclosan, Sodium Saccharin, Limonene

Yuk!

Exactly Mintyy.

How can you tell if you're brushing correctly then and is there a good guide as to how to brush properly?

I get really bad unpleasant breath/mouth taste even after brushing and it's getting me down. Maybe my brushing technique is wrong but how would I know?

Ladypete you could try tooth powder? Lush sell some weird chalky things which you chew up and then use with a brush and water, or at least they used to, I didn't like them though. Or children's toothpaste is usually vv mild.

Your dentist can advise Bertie if you have a lot of tartar and need to see the hygienist regularly who needs to scrape your teeth a lot then there is a problem with technique

spot on teacup

bertie are you brushing your tongue and sides of the mouth as well?
that's where lots of bacteria can hide (and cause smell)

I am a toothpaste snob and always buy the brand you allude to OP. Not because I doubt the quality or effectiveness of others, more I like the taste and texture.

iwantsun I don't get the 'yuck' comment. There's nothing harmful in that ingredient list.

A mouthwash might help your breath Bertie

Bertie bad breath is also linked to food intolerances/allergies, so get checked out at the dentist but also the doctor. There are quite a few non-dental problems that can cause bad breath.

You clearly don't understand what the ingredients are Myrtle several other posters have spotted issues with the ingredients in toothpaste already

Um, no, I do understand what the ingredients are. They are not harmful. Some people might want to avoid triclosan or SLS for particular reasons, but that does not make them harmful. I avoid sulfates in my shampoo because it makes my scalp itch, but SLS is a perfectly safe thing to have in shampoo, toothpaste etc. A personal reaction to something does not make that thing generally harmful.

Actually excess choice isn't necessarily helpful. There's a great TED talk about this. She said when Head and Shoulders dropped the number of products in their range their sales actually went up!

I buy Colgate in the stand up tubes so I don't argue with DH about squeezing from the middle!

Myrtle thank you, I will have a look next time I'm in the supermarket. I've tried a few own brand ones and found they had a powdery texture, but so do lots of the Colgate ones. I'm so fussy about toothpaste.

I can't see any good in using triclosan toothpaste if nothing else because of the harm it does to the environment and because I don't really think using antibacterial things willy nilly is a good idea. But I'm sure triclosan isn't that great for health either.

I've never had any fillings or tooth problems, apart from a tooth that came through with an enamel problem. And my brushing technique has often left a lot to be desired. My electric toothbrush has really transformed my technique. That and a pre-chemo hygienist visit. I never want to have to go through that again!

Ah sorry lots of new posts since I started typing, that triclosan comment wasn't directed at you Myrtle only the first couple of lines! :)

Triclosan is safe then Myrtle?

maybe one of you dental experts can give an opinion re mouthwash?
was advised to use corsodyl for 3 months following last check up I actually got a cheaper one with the same ingredient (chlor something)
anyway, I find the taste vile AND it distorts my taste sensation for hours, I find it really unpleasant, plus it actually stained my teeth
Is there really any point in using that over another mouthwash?

and thanks for the Cochrane link!

triclosan is something I try to avoid (be it toothpaste or other products), that already limits the choice quite a bit.

we sometimes take disclosing tablet, nicely shows the dc where to concentrate on when brushing.

Shalli do you mean chlorhexidine?

shall
you can use mouthwash before brushing the teeth, maybe that helps.

Are you having some of these side effects Shalli?

Temporary taste disturbance.
Burning sensation on the tongue.
Non-permanent staining of the tongue.
Brown staining of the teeth.
Peeling of the inside of the mouth.