Caution advised on new toothpaste trends
Australians are being encouraged to exercise caution when considering a switch to alternative toothpastes. This advice comes amidst data revealing the demand for herbal and fluoride-free toothpastes is experiencing significant growth[1] with an increasing number of people making their own via online recipes or via celebrity social media accounts.
While some options are clinically proven to deliver strong results, matching the wrong toothpaste to the wrong mouth can result in a degradation of your oral health, pose dangers to children or just cost you a lot of extra money for little to no extra benefit.
Bupa Dental Head Dentist Dr Cathryn Madden says choosing the best toothpaste for your specific needs can be challenging with supermarket aisles bulging with options and social media feeds filled with information on ‘the next big thing’ for your teeth.
Every mouth is different so don’t automatically think that a new product that suits your favourite celebrity will work for you.
"For example, tooth powders have been shown to be effective in removing stains and plaque but can be overly abrasive, and while fluoride-free toothpaste may have fewer additives, using it may increase your chances of developing cavities.
“Invariably the ideal toothpaste for you should be matched with your age, diet, sensitivity levels and the current state of your teeth and gums. One important thing to note is that if a toothpaste doesn’t contain fluoride, then it provides minimal protection from developing decay,” Dr Madden said.
In light of the growing number of options, information and misinformation people are exposed to, Australians are being encouraged to discuss toothpaste choices with their dentist, particularly ahead of a change in brand or active ingredients.
“Your teeth are way too important to risk an adverse switch. Even swapping out your normal toothpaste and purchasing an alternative for a tube’s worth of time can expose you to over a month of sub-optimal protection… and a lot can happen in your mouth in a month!
“Your friendly local dentist can talk to you about all the ins and outs of regular and alternative toothpaste types and arm you with all the information required to make a decision you can smile about,” Dr Madden said.
Regardless of what toothpaste you use, you can make a healthy choice for the environment by recycling empty tubes at Bupa Dental practices around Australia as part of our Everyday Dental Recycling Program. Once processed, your used oral health products can be repurposed into useful new products like garden furniture and playground equipment.
To find a Bupa Dental practice near you visit here.
[1] https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/herbal-toothpaste-market-3899 / https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/fluoride-free-toothpaste-market
