What’s in Your Toothpaste?

When is comes to choosing a toothpaste, there are many options available. So how do you know what type or brand is the best choice for you?

All toothpastes with the ADA seal of approval contain an active ingredient, usually fluoride. Fluoride is a proven way to protect your teeth because of all the things it can do: it helps prevent cavities, lessens tooth sensitivity, and reduces gingival bacteria.

The Types of Fluoride:

The three most common types of fluoride are Sodium Fluoride, Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride, and Stannous Fluoride.

Sodium Fluoride is the most common and gives all of the benefits without any side effects. You’ll find this in toothpaste for both adults and children, and it’s widely considered safe.

Acidulated Phosphate is a stronger fluoride because it can etch into the tooth structure. Most of the time we use it as a semi-annual “treatment” by many dentists – it’s probably what your kids receive when they get a fluoride treatment from a Pediatric Dentist.

Stannous Fluoride has become an increasingly-popular trend for some pharmaceutical companies and focuses on bacteria reduction in the gums. An important thing to note about Stannous fluoride: while it helps in reducing bacteria, one of its side effects is a grey-brown tenacious stain usually mistaken for coffee or tea stains.

This fact is not advertised, so patients are frequently surprised to find that the stains are caused by toothpaste!  Known products that contain the ingredient are “Crest Pro Health”, “Crest Gum Detoxify”, “Parodontax” and a few select “Sensodyne” pastes. We

To find out what type of fluoride is in your toothpaste, always check the active ingredient box before purchase and consult your hygienist to find out which is best for you and your needs.

But wait … what about non-flouride toothpastes?

There’s many out there, but many sources advise against this.

To wit, a 30-year veteran of periodentistry was interviewed at the University of Utah:

“Interviewer: So if two patients identical in every way came in and one was using natural toothpaste and one was using a fluoride toothpaste, what would the differences be?

Dr. Okano: All things being equal, you would see less potential for tooth decay in the individual who was using the fluoride-containing toothpaste.”

Other organizations, such as the American Dental Association and the World Health Organization, also recommend using toothpaste with flouride.

We recommend using ADA-approved toothpastes. But if you insist on using something without flouride, look for any of these active ingredients:

• Xylitol: A natural sweetener, it slows bacterial growth in the mouth which can lead to decay.
• Erythritol: This is a sugar alcohol often used as an artificial food sweetener in “no sugar” foods. It does slow the rate of acid that bacteria produce.
• Hydroxyapatite: This is primarily made of phosphorus and calcium and can help strengthen teeth’s enamel

What about charcoal toothpaste?

Activated charcoal toothpaste: What is it? And is it safe?

Charcoal activated products are on the rise. The trend reaches from health and beauty products, and now to toothpaste – pushed forward by many social media influencers with large followings.

But should you use it?

What exactly is activated charcoal?

The popular additive is typically made from either bone char, coconut shells, peat, petroleum coke, coal, olive pits or sawdust and is created by heating wood or other organic materials above 400 degrees in “an oxygen-starved environment” as the Virginia Cooperative Extension states.

Charcoal is used in a variety of applications:

• The pores trap odors and reduce bad smells in cleaning solutions
• In emergency situations, it can be used to absorb some poisons in the body (by trained professionals)

In some others, such as beauty products, the evidence is inconclusive so far if it actually helps.

Should you use charcoal toothpaste?

Opinions can vary, but we do not recommend it. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a 2021 study that shows nearly no gains for people who used activated charcoal toothpaste vs. a control group of people using more normal toothpaste.

That’s because it:

Is abrasive.

Long-term use can erode enamel – your very teeth! – which increases your chance of cavities and makes teeth weaker and more sensitive.

Doesn’t truly whiten.

Typical teeth whitening goes beneath the surface of your teeth and handles the inner discoloration. Toothpaste only scrubs the surface, so you’re not getting to the root of yellow teeth.

In fact, as the NIH study showed, “After 12- week brushing, no differences were found among the groups in terms of color change.”

Could hurt pregnant or breastfeeding women.

The charcoal, if accidentally swallowed (easy to do, even with trace amounts) can interfere with other medications you might be taking. And it’s still unknown what other effects this could pose.

In addition, the American Dental Association currently does not approve charcoal toothpaste or toothbrushes for use at all – children included.

Ultimately, we recommend to avoid causing your teeth unnecessary abrasions and do not recommend using charcoal toothpaste at this time.

If you’re thinking of whitening your teeth, there are much safer and clinically-proven alternatives – and we’re your local Cherry Creek dentist who’s here to help guide you through the best choices for you, taking the time to talk through any questions, concerns, or fears you may have.

It’s why we do what we do!