You use (or at least you should be using) toothpaste twice a day, every day. Over the years, you’ll have used toothpaste many thousands of times and probably tried hundreds of different products. Hence, you probably also think you know everything there is to know about this everyday household staple.
Nevertheless, evidence would seem to suggest otherwise.
Even now, there’s extraordinary volume of contradictory and misleading information doing the rounds online. As is the case with most things, people have a habit of being quite vocal when it comes to their opinions and beliefs regarding toothpaste. The problem being that opinions and beliefs often have little to no factual evidence behind them.
So with this in mind, we thought we’d take a look at just a handful of common myths about toothpaste. Don’t feel too bad if you bought into any of the following – you’re certainly not in the minority:
Myth: You Don’t Really Need Toothpaste
Right off the bat, there are millions of people worldwide who genuinely believe you don’t need toothpaste. Some have come to believe it exists simply to make money for its manufacturers, while others are convinced it does more harm than good. For a variety of reasons, completely abstaining for toothpaste entirely is a more common habit than you’d think.
Unfortunately, it’s also a bad habit. Toothpaste is packed with the kinds of active ingredients and essential minerals you need to keep your mouth in the best possible condition for life. There’s a direct correlation between effective use of toothpaste and long-lasting oral health – a scientific fact, not an opinion.
Myth: All Toothpastes Are the Same
Among those who use toothpaste regularly, there’s widespread belief that all toothpastes are essentially the same. Shy of a few flavourings and ingredients that don’t really make any difference, they believe the basic formula is identical across the board.
While most toothpastes share at least some similarities, there are enormous differences in the formulation of different toothpastes. Which is one of the reasons why not every toothpaste is suitable for every purpose. In terms of both the presence and quality of certain key ingredients, all toothpastes are most certainly not the same. Ask your dentist if unsure which toothpaste best-suits your needs.
Myth: Sensitive Toothpaste Doesn’t Really Work
There’s a reason why millions of people with sensitive teeth believe sensitive toothpastes doesn’t work. That being, they use them for a short period of time, go back to their prior toothpaste and begin experiencing sensitivity once again.
Sensitive toothpastes can be incredibly effective, but only when used continuously. In addition, it’s also advisable to use a dentist-recommended sensitive mouthwash, in order to maximise the effectiveness of the toothpaste. Most toothpastes aren’t designed to deal with sensitivity, which is why the problem comes back when you stop using sensitive products.
Myth: Whitening Pastes Can Transform Your Smile
Don’t ever be fooled into thinking a whitening toothpaste can do the same job as a high-quality teeth whitening treatment. Irrespective of what you’ve seen in those dangerously misleading ads, there isn’t a toothpaste in the world that can make a massive difference to the whiteness of your teeth. Whitening toothpastes are simply designed to help combat and prevent surface stains, which may accumulate over time and result in discolouration.
Whitening toothpastes cannot and do not contain the aggressive and intensive chemicals needed to extract deep-set stains from your teeth. So when you see pearly-whites being displayed on the packaging, you can rest assured they haven’t been achieved exclusively through use of this particular paste. Gauge your expectations realistically, or prepare for a disappointing outcome.
Myth: Expensive Pastes Are Better
Generally speaking, toothpastes that are practically given away aren’t usually the most effective. To create a super-premium toothpaste recommended by dentists is a time consuming and expensive process. As is the use of high-quality ingredients, which is why some toothpastes cost more than others.
However, when it comes to those ridiculously overpriced pastes that promise more than they can deliver, you’re better off holding on to your money. There’s a general price range for quality toothpastes in most markets worldwide, within which you’ll find all the best products recommended by dentists. Unless your dentist specifically recommends an extremely expensive toothpaste, you’ll probably be wasting your money if you give it a go.
Myth: More Paste = A Better Clean
Most people know that dentists recommend using a quantity of toothpaste that’s around the size of a pea. Nevertheless, most people also use exponentially more toothpaste than this, every time they brush. It’s usually a case of false logic, which tells you that more paste must result in a more effective clean.
In reality, using too much paste simply increases the likelihood of various residues being left in your mouth after rinsing. The kinds of residues that can do more harm than good when they stick around long-term. Therefore, using too much toothpaste is simply a waste of money and isn’t doing your oral health any favours.
Myth: Kids Can Use Adult Toothpaste Just Fine
There are certain adult toothpastes that can be used by children of a certain age. Nevertheless, there are also special toothpastes on the market that have been specifically formulated for younger children. Kids’ toothpastes exist for a reason and carry the full recommendation of dentists.
Toothpastes for kids are designed to both make the brushing process as pleasant as possible and reduce the potential harm if the paste is swallowed. Young mouth and bodies need very different care to the those of adults, so it’s up to you to make sure it’s provided.
Myth: Natural Pastes Are More Effective
Last but not least, nobody can realistically say that natural toothpastes are more effective or otherwise than standard toothpastes. The reason being that it all comes down to the manufacturer, the formulation of the toothpaste, the quality of the ingredients and so on.
Nevertheless, it’s worth remembering that quite a lot of natural toothpastes on the market don’t contain any fluoride. Without which, you’re at significantly greater risk of tooth decay and cavities.
