“Tooth gels are better than toothpastes”, “You need to brush your teeth five times a day”, “The more paste on your toothbrush, the better your teeth will be cleaned” - such statements that we come across on the Internet and hear from friends often confuse us. sense and force them to follow their lead.
When visiting the dentist, patients often ask questions about toothpaste and brushes. Which toothpaste is better? What brushes should you use? How often should you brush your teeth? It is not surprising, because brushing your teeth is one of the simplest and at the same time most effective ways to care for the oral cavity and prevent various diseases of the teeth and gums. Your dentist can tell you how to brush your teeth properly and which toothpaste to choose in each case. And also dispel common myths and stereotypes about the technique of brushing teeth, about the choice of toothpaste and brush.
What do patients ask most often? And what do dentists say? We present the 10 most popular questions during an appointment with a specialist.
Question No. 1. Is it true that whitening toothpastes are harmful to teeth?
True, if you use cheap, highly abrasive pastes. The abrasive particles they contain scratch tooth enamel like scouring powder scratching a kitchen stove. There are five levels of paste abrasiveness in total. On the packaging it is marked with the index RDA (Radioactive Dentin Abrasion) and indicates the particle size.
When choosing a whitening paste for adults, you should know that its optimal level of abrasiveness is RDA 70-120. Among such pastes, LACALUT White (abrasiveness index - RDA 120), SPLAT whitening Plus, SILCA Arctic White (abrasivity index - RDA 85), PRESIDENT White have proven themselves well. Pastes with a high level of abrasiveness (120-160) should be used to clean pigmented enamel no more than twice a week. Dentists use a range of pastes, for example, PRESIDENT White Plus.”
Question No. 2. Are toothpastes that contain antiseptics safe?
Not if you use such pastes constantly. As a rule, pastes containing antiseptics (triclosan, chlorhexidine, hexitidine) are prescribed for inflammatory gum diseases. You should brush your teeth with such pastes for no more than two weeks in a row. With their frequent use, antiseptics, designed to destroy only harmful bacteria, can smoothly switch to useful ones: a certain balance between microorganisms is disturbed, resulting in painful processes.
Toothpastes containing antiseptics as the main components, for example, Lacalut Aktiv, PresiDENT Active, SPLAT Professional ACTIVE, Elmex Aronal, Blend-a-med Pro-Expert Gum Protection, are considered harmless, but for their correct use, consultation with your doctor is necessary.
Sensational whitening
Another representative of the lightening line is “Sensational Whitening” or “Sensational Whitening”. Reviews of the Rox whitening toothpaste in a black box resemble laudatory odes: “No one whitens teeth better than her!”, “Whitening without a dentist!”, “Pearly teeth without difficulty.” The list of enthusiastic epithets goes on and on. Consumers like its low price, gentle and effective whitening, and the pleasant taste of delicate mint. What is the secret of this paste? In a multi-stage cleaning system and enamel polishing or in a protiolytic enzyme of plant origin and protection against dental diseases? Be that as it may, happy consumers of Rox black toothpaste note in their reviews that the natural whiteness of teeth is restored in a short time, they acquire an attractive shine, tartar dissolves and disappears completely, and gum inflammation goes away without a trace.
Question No. 3 What is better: toothpastes or gels?
According to experts, both clean teeth equally well. And besides the taste and structure (gel pastes are more transparent than regular ones due to the absence of calcium carbonate and titanium dioxide in them, which give the paste a white color), there are no significant differences between them. So whether to use toothpaste or gel is a matter of everyone’s taste! Among the most popular among patients are such dental gels as Colgate Total 12 Pro-Clean Gel, Splat Liquium-gel, Weleda paste-gel, LACALUT fluor Gel.”
Question No. 4. Is it true that toothpastes with healthy additives clean your teeth better?
Yes, if we are talking about extracts of medicinal plants such as sage, chamomile, St. John's wort, which have beneficial properties. For example, Forest Balsam paste with the addition of sage or St. John's wort does an excellent job.
However, those pastes that contain additives, such as sea salt (Dentalys paste), can cause an allergic reaction and even increased tooth sensitivity. Such pastes must be used according to the doctor’s recommendations, as a rule, no more than 1-2 times a week.”
Non-mint flavors
In reviews of Rox toothpaste, there are descriptions of products with non-standard tastes. The issue of breath freshness is solved here not with the help of a mint-menthol flavor, but with the help of aromatic trails. The list of such pastes is as follows:
- “Forest Noon” with raspberry flavor. Suitable for those who are tired of the sharp tastes of pastes. Can be used by adults and children from 4 years of age. From the manufacturer's promises: lightening of enamel, strengthening of hard tissues, prevention of caries, long-term cleanliness and freshness, prevention of darkening, elimination of bleeding, normalization of microflora.
- “Cloud of tenderness. Rose". The paste is the color of baked milk, its taste is exquisite, it can remind you of walking on clouds of tenderness (if you know what they smell like), or as if you “ate dessert” (Bulgarian rose jam?) It treats your teeth very carefully, solves the problem of caries prevention , relieve sensitivity, freshen breath.
- The mango-banana “Viennese dessert” described above.
- “Jasmine Flower” with the taste of green tea with jasmine. Despite the manufacturer’s assurances about the beneficial properties and qualities of the paste, users did not like it; reviews of it were very negative, from “rotten flowers” to “there is a black sheep in the family.” Although the pasta still has a few loyal admirers.
"Rox" is famous for its pastas with unconventional flavors. And it should be noted that reviews of non-mint flavored Rox whitening toothpastes are the most contradictory.
Question No. 5. Does fresh breath always mean clean teeth?
Feeling fresh in your mouth is not an indicator of excellent oral hygiene. But the absence of plaque on the teeth is just convincing proof that the teeth are really clean. And if after brushing your teeth become smooth (you can check this by running your tongue over them), then you can say that the toothpaste has coped with the task.
It is especially important for smokers and coffee or strong tea drinkers to combat pigmented plaque, for example, using REMBRANDT Anti-Tobacco and Coffee toothpaste, which effectively breaks down plaque on the surface of the teeth.”
What can be replaced: what are the alternatives?
If you are interested in products that are more budget-friendly and similar in their mode of action, then you can consider Protefix or Fittydent. Their cost starts from 140 rubles. For thrifty consumers, “President” (PresiDENT) is also suitable - it is produced in tubes of 50 ml rather than 40, however, its cost is slightly higher - from 200 rubles.
For those who are interested in a longer retention period for dentures than Rox, it is recommended to consider a product from the LACALUT brand - the manufacturer claims that it can provide up to 24 hours of reliable retention of dentures in the mouth.
Question No. 6. Is it possible to whiten teeth with toothpaste in a few days?
No. No toothpaste will make your teeth perfectly white. Unscrupulous manufacturers attract the attention of consumers with sophisticated advertising campaigns, and for greater “effect” they add coarse abrasives or peroxides to their products, which not only remove plaque from teeth, but also harm the enamel.
If the desire to have a snow-white smile is very great, you can get closer to your cherished goal! Professional teeth cleaning and whitening in a dental setting will help achieve the desired result.”
Question No. 7. Can children use adult toothpaste?
No, because the fluoride contained in the toothpaste is good for teeth, but swallowing it is harmful. And small children, sometimes unknowingly, swallow up to 35% of toothpaste while brushing.
Therefore, special children's toothpaste is produced for children with a low fluoride content (up to 500 ppm), and to make brushing teeth seem more pleasant to the baby, special flavoring additives are added (the taste of berries, chewing gum, etc.).
Parents should remember that children under 6 years of age should brush their teeth under their supervision to prevent the child from swallowing the toothpaste. To get acquainted with children’s toothpaste, you can choose products from brands such as ROCS kids, Splat junior, Colgate, LACALUT or Silca.”
Exclusivity of the composition
The main secret of the effectiveness of the ROKS dental product is the unique MINERALIN complex it contains . This biologically active combination is patented and consists of unique ingredients.
Natural proteolytic enzyme bromelain
This substance is extracted from the trunk of the pineapple tree. It is useful because it breaks down plaque protein and leaves no chance for new ones to form. Thanks to bromelain, microbes do not linger in the oral cavity.
The feeling of extraordinary cleanliness of seemingly polished teeth is the merit of this enzyme. Bromelain cleanses delicately but powerfully, so a paste with such an enzyme does not require a lot of abrasive components and is suitable even for problem teeth with sensitive gums.
Another function of this miracle substance is whitening. Bromelain easily destroys the pigment structure without damaging tooth enamel.
Calcium glycerophosphate
This mineral supplement containing phosphorus and calcium is a building material for teeth.
On the one hand, it compensates for their deficiency, and on the other hand, it serves as a thickener, antioxidant and stabilizer of paste consistency.
Calcium salt restores tooth enamel after cleansing and whitening. It neutralizes the slightest damage from abrasive particles and strengthens dental tissues.
Xylitol
Essentially, it is a carbohydrate-containing, polyhydric alcohol that is friendly to teeth. It is called the “cavity killer.” Xylitol stops the development of pathogenic cariogenic bacteria.
It has the ability to restore the acid-base environment of the oral cavity, which manifests itself in fresh breath. It also serves as a catalyst in the process of teeth absorbing calcium and other structural elements from toothpaste.
Magnesium chloride
Its other name is magnesium salt of hydrochloric acid. It is this inorganic compound that makes teeth strong and resistant to decay.
Alkalinizing the oral cavity, it has a beneficial effect on the gums. Magnesium chloride strengthens them and relieves gingivitis.
In addition to Mineralin, the product may include:
- glycerin, which envelops the teeth and protects them with a film . It remains on the teeth for up to 20 mouth rinses. Glycerin also protects gums, prevents staining of enamel and gives toothpaste a gel-like texture;
- propylene glycol is absolutely safe and is often used as a food additive . In the ROX paste it serves as a uniform binding element and adds viscosity to it;
- polyethylene base substance with emulsifier function. Does not have an abrasive effect;
- Urea peroxide, its formula allows the release of oxygen by reacting with saliva . This active reaction product penetrates the hard tissues of the tooth, significantly lightening their natural pigment;
- tromethamine is a medicinal component with an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. It softens the effect of active ingredients, soothes the oral cavity and normalizes its microflora. Tromethamine is included in the list of the most vital drugs for humans;
- Hydrogen peroxide, like carbamide peroxide, interacts with saliva and releases oxygen. It is more harmful to enamel, but at low concentrations it is safe. In ROKS paste its content is no more than 3%;
- Fragrance performs a purely aesthetic function - it aromatizes, making the process of cleaning teeth very pleasant . It does not create fresh breath.
