Best toothpaste for you

Toothpaste is an integral part of dental care. The best toothpaste contains at the very least:

• Fluoride to prevent gum disease, teeth staining, and plaque build-up that leads to tooth decay. Toothpaste should contain at least 1,000 parts per million fluoride to be effective for adults. A reduced concentration is required for children depending on their stage of development.

• An abrasive that aids in the removal of dental plaque and stains from the surfaces of teeth. The strength of a toothpaste’s abrasivity is quantified by relative dentin abrasivity (RDA). A toothpaste with very low RDA may not be effective enough for tooth cleaning, while a high RDA could cause low levels of enamel erosion. Professional dental associations from around the world recommend that toothpaste should have an RDA of 250 or less to be “safe for a lifetime of use”. 

• Surfactants like sodium lauryl sulphate create foam during brushing to aid the removal of food particles and plaque buildup.

Toothpaste also contains minty ingredients to freshen the breath and ingredients to improve the texture – a minor yet important factor that can help encourage daily brushing.

With the range of options on the Australian market, it may seem daunting to pick the best toothpaste, especially if you have long-term dental or general health concerns. Your dentist can guide the selection process based on your specific concerns. For instance,

• Patients with tooth sensitivity may choose toothpaste with desensitising ingredients such as potassium nitrate. These ingredients either soothe nerves or create a barrier to ensure nerves are not triggered by stimuli like cold. Toothpaste for sensitivity does work!

• Patients at high risk of tooth decay may opt for toothpaste with high-concentration fluoride (up to 5000 parts per million) under the instruction of the dentist. There are, however, other effective ingredients besides high-concentration fluoride. For patients who are at particularly high risk of tooth decay and tooth sensitivity, toothpaste alone may not be enough. Products like GC Tooth Mousse which contains calcium and phosphate derived from cow’s milk provide added protection. Calcium and phosphate are the building blocks of bone and teeth. Unfortunately, these products are not lactose-free nor are they vegan-friendly.

• Patients who are prone to tooth staining could opt for toothpastes with ingredients with mild bleaching action that acts against existing stains, or toothpastes which prevent staining.

Last but not least, herbal toothpaste and fluoride-free toothpaste provide an alternative for those who choose not to have fluoride in their toothpaste. As there is not enough clinical evidence to know their impact on the strength of teeth, patients who opt for these toothpaste will require regular dental check-ups and x-rays to ensure their teeth remain decay-free.