Why not all toothpastes are created equal  

You only has to walk down the dental care isle at your local supermarket to know the wide variety of toothpastes available. With advanced whitening, advanced clean, advanced fresh, express white, sparkling white, sensitive pro-relief and sensitive multi protection, it’s hard to know where to begin. What are the differences between these toothpastes and other variations? Well, if you’re a bit confused – don’t worry, as we break down in this week’s blog why all toothpastes are not created equal.  

The Ingredients – How They Work 

When most people read a toothpaste label that says teeth whitening, they think it will change the colour of their teeth. However, this is not the case. The ingredients actually work by removing the surface stains caused by coffee, tea, smoking and food. These ingredients are abrasives that polish surface stains and enzymes/chemicals that dissolve surface stains without physically lightening or changing the colour of your teeth.  

The downside of these toothpastes is that long-term use of chemical and physical abrasives can cause gum recession, excessive enamel wear and notching on the roots of teeth. And once the gum tissue recedes, it never grows back. Therefore, the pros and cons of these toothpastes should be thoroughly considered before one decides to brush their teeth with these ingredients long-term. Oftentimes, the benefit received from these toothpastes doesn’t justify the damage caused to teeth and gums. 

It is also similar with tartar control toothpaste. These products don’t actually remove existing tartar but partially inhibit the development of new tartar build though the use of sodium based chemical and abrasives. Like whitening toothpaste additives, tartar control toothpaste additives have been correlated to the thinning of enamel over time.  

 A Better Solution 

At Eden Rise Dental, we care about informing our patients of the long-term effects of whitening and tartar control toothpastes. If you desire a brighter and whiter smile, we recommend that you get professional teeth whitening and book a regular appointment with us to remove tartar build-up. The benefit of professional teeth whitening is that it will actually change the colour of your teeth without damaging your enamel or gum tissue. Regular cleaning of your teeth with also eliminate tartar buildup and keep your teeth and oral tissues health. To book an appointment, please call us on (03) 9702 6111.