February 20, 2018, 10:45 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Toothpaste is important for healthy, strong teeth. However, many of us are overwhelmed by the wide selection available in stores. FITBOOK consulted an expert to find out which ingredients make an effective toothpaste and which should raise alarm bells.
From a medical perspective, one active ingredient in toothpaste is particularly crucial: fluoride. “Tooth enamel needs fluoride to be more resistant to acid,” explains Dr. Kurt Müller, a dentist from Frankfurt am Main, in response to a FITBOOK inquiry. Without an intact protective layer, cavity-causing bacteria would have free rein, making the enamel vulnerable and causing discoloration. Once it is worn down, the sensitive dentin is left unprotected.
There are various fluoride compounds, each with different levels of effectiveness. To supply teeth with minerals and protect them from cavities, a combination of amine fluoride and stannous fluoride is especially recommended. This combination is also said to have antibacterial properties and prevent plaque.
Also of interest: What is included in dental cleaning at the dentist
And yet, even though clinical studies show that formulations without fluoride do not offer cavity prevention—and these also fail at Stiftung Warentest—people still opt for organic pastes explicitly made WITHOUT fluoride. Their concern: fluoride could poison the body and allegedly even cause teeth and bones to crumble. However, our expert can reassure: “Only if you overdose and swallow it is fluoride actually toxic.”
And what should not be included?
Dr. Müller’s warning is more about abrasive agents in whitening products, identifiable by small microbeads that are too aggressive on the enamel. Caution is also advised with essential oils. “Smokers, in particular, often choose toothpaste that tastes like menthol to mask bad breath. However, essential oils are suspected of attacking and, in the worst case, dissolving enamel.”
Feel free to switch more often
Speaking of taste. According to Müller, most consumers stick to a tried-and-true product. However, just as you change your toothbrush, you should feel free to switch toothpaste occasionally. “So it doesn’t get boring on the tongue.”