Toothpaste worthless?

[Jeremy]

I was asking Dr. Reiss about the causes of tooth decay—genetics vs. diet, etc. etc.—when he began explaining why toothpaste is such a bogus product. Any claims that toothpaste makes about preventing decay, whitening teeth, etc., are totally falacious, Dr. Reiss told me, because the F.D.A. can’t and won’t allow the ingredients necessary to perform those chores in an over-the-counter product that children can easily get hold of.

Dental Wisdom, Freakonomics Blog by Stephen J. Dubner.

Does anyone have any real data on the utility of toothpaste? I personally find the Freakonomics guys interesting, but they have been know to go off half-cocked with wrong information.

 

[KingMerv00]

Even if it doesn't stop tooth decay I would use it. Morning breath sucks.

 

[Loss Leader]

After having looked into this issue, it's most likely that the benefit of toothpaste comes more from the abrasive effect than the flouride. In fact, brushing your teeth with a toothbrush without toothpaste may be as effective as brushing with toothpaste.

But it's all better than not brushing at all.

 

[Smart_Cookie]

Yes. The benefit of toothpaste is probably more "cosmetic". (ie. breath feels fresher, teeth feel cleaner). The toothbrush itself is probably all that's needed to remove most gunk.

But...even better...dental floss.

The dental hygenists used to nag about flossing daily. The one finally said, if you have a choice between brushing and flossing, just floss. Once I started flossing and brushing, the difference was obvious. (cuts the time it takes for cleanings in half).

 

[Psi Baba]

But since tooth decay is caused by the acids secreted by the bacteria on the teeth, wouldn't the alkalinity (toothpaste is mostly chalk, with some seaweed and detergent added in) work toward neutralizing the acids?

 

[Loss Leader]

But since tooth decay is caused by the acids secreted by the bacteria on the teeth, wouldn't the alkalinity (toothpaste is mostly chalk, with some seaweed and detergent added in) work toward neutralizing the acids?

By the time they secrete acids in any quantity great enough to harm your teeth, the damage is already done. Brushing and flossing aims to remove the bacteria from the surface of the teeth before plaque can harden.

 

[StewartP]

C'mon, its a no brainer. If it's the brushing that has the benefi, and not the toothpaste, then brush.

Now try brushing without toothpaste.

Not such a pleasant experience is it?

So buy the paste you like best and/or is the cheapest and get on with it.

And now you have the added bonus that every time a toothpaste advert comes on the TV you can tell everyone about how its all bogus.

 

[Ladewig]

I followed my dentist's advice to use a fluoride rinse before brushing. After swishing it around for over 60 seconds, I find a lot of the stuff has been removed and I have fresh breath. At that point I either floss, brush with toothpase, or brush without toothpaste.

 

[Iamme]

Dental Wisdom, Freakonomics Blog by Stephen J. Dubner.

Does anyone have any real data on the utility of toothpaste? I personally find the Freakonomics guys interesting, but they have been know to go off half-cocked with wrong information.

I have religiously brushed my teeth for years, up and down and sideways, getting every nook and cranny...and sloshing out my mouth, repeatedly with hot water , over and over. And what do I have to show for it? A bunch of missing molars that are or have just mysteriously getting/got cavities and falling apart. One tooth that decayed had a sizeable chunk that came off and I was able to look at it and I discovered that there was almost no enamel before it got to the pulp! I am considering the possibility I have a genetic flaw where I was born with thin enamel. Maybe? My dad now has dentures and my grandpa did at a relatively early age...and they claim I take after my grandpa.

Now whether or not toothpaste does any good for people with normal healthy teeth, in warding off cavities? Well, it's bound to do SOME good just by virtue you are cleaning your teeth with...(get ready)...BEACH SAND!!!!!!!! It contains silica, you know.

 

[Dava]

I don't know about cavities, but brushing (with or without the paste) would keep plaque in check. I'm more concerned with gingivitis than cavities, myself.

As an aside, if these products don't do the things they claim they do, then what's up with the ADA? Don't they review these claims?

 

[Loss Leader]

I should add that a new toothpaste ingredient, liquid calcium, looks to have promise in adding enamel and strengthening teeth. It's available in some Arm & Hammer toothpastes. The data is still incomplete but it may be the first real advance in toothcare in decades.

BTW, 36 years old and never had a cavity. Brush but don't floss, see my dentist twice a year.

 

[Iamme]

I should add that a new toothpaste ingredient, liquid calcium, looks to have promise in adding enamel and strengthening teeth. It's available in some Arm & Hammer toothpastes. The data is still incomplete but it may be the first real advance in toothcare in decades.

BTW, 36 years old and never had a cavity. Brush but don't floss, see my dentist twice a year.

Are you male or female? If female, have you had any children? My mom had no cavities up until 21, and after she had me she had a mouthful. The dentist said having a child depleted her calcium reserves. So watch it (if you are female).

 

[Rob Lister]

My sister in law, a dds, and her husband, also a dds, privately encourage you all to ignore toothpaste, flossing, and regular visits to your denist for at least ten or twenty years. Then visit him where he will overtly 'tsk' you as he pulls all those beyond hope, performs root canals on those that are borderline, fills and/or caps those that actually managed to remain at least somewhat intact, and relutantly gives your mostly toothless self a bill for a few thousand dollars, then tells you what the bridges will cost in order for you to once again eat steak.

 

[joobz]

If you have a dish with food on it, and wipe it down with a rag (no soap), is it clean? Well, mostely, but there will be a resiude.

Soaps helps solublize things that don't come off easy. It's my thought that the soap in toothpaste is there real benefit. Along with extra abrassives in the mix (it's why i like crest and/or baking soda).

I"m guessing you could brush your teeth with dawn and get a similar benefit, but it'd be gross.

I think it'd be interesting to check cavity differences between people who drink bottle/purified water (no Fl) vs. those who drink tap. Just to see if there is a benefit to Fl in tap water.

Crest advance does have a polymer that can coat teeth temporarily. IF this helps, I don't know. But it's not a bad idea.

However, I think the whitening issue is a much more valid scam claim.

 

[Beerina]

But since tooth decay is caused by the acids secreted by the bacteria on the teeth, wouldn't the alkalinity (toothpaste is mostly chalk, with some seaweed and detergent added in) work toward neutralizing the acids?

Except that I'd guess that, since most people only brush at bedtime and/or when they get up, i.e. long since they ate last, that 99% of the damage from food digestion in the mouth is already done, and particles long since washed away.

 

[Loss Leader]

Soaps helps solublize things that don't come off easy. It's my thought that the soap in toothpaste is there real benefit. Along with extra abrassives in the mix (it's why i like crest and/or baking soda).

I"m guessing you could brush your teeth with dawn and get a similar benefit, but it'd be gross.

I think you're mixing up your soaps. Dawn is a detergent - it breaks down grease. It doesn't really work through abrasion; that's your sponge/brillo pad. Comet and certain polishes work by abrasion but they also contain some deadly poisons. The abrasive in toothpaste is hydrated silica which is - wait for it - sand. So brush with sand if you want to experiment. Just don't be surprised if it tastes like sand.

For more on toothpaste, go to www.lethaldose.org

 

[a_unique_person]

I have religiously brushed my teeth for years, up and down and sideways, getting every nook and cranny...and sloshing out my mouth, repeatedly with hot water , over and over. And what do I have to show for it? A bunch of missing molars that are or have just mysteriously getting/got cavities and falling apart. One tooth that decayed had a sizeable chunk that came off and I was able to look at it and I discovered that there was almost no enamel before it got to the pulp! I am considering the possibility I have a genetic flaw where I was born with thin enamel. Maybe? My dad now has dentures and my grandpa did at a relatively early age...and they claim I take after my grandpa.

Now whether or not toothpaste does any good for people with normal healthy teeth, in warding off cavities? Well, it's bound to do SOME good just by virtue you are cleaning your teeth with...(get ready)...BEACH SAND!!!!!!!! It contains silica, you know.

Do you have fluoride in your water?

 

[Scott Haley]

Don't use Dawn

I"m guessing you could brush your teeth with dawn and get a similar benefit, but it'd be gross.

.

If some of that Dawn found its way down your throat, you'd get diarrhea. I suggest that people keep the dish soap out of the mouth, and rinse your dishes well.

--Scott

 

[joobz]

I think you're mixing up your soaps. Dawn is a detergent - it breaks down grease. It doesn't really work through abrasion; that's your sponge/brillo pad. Comet and certain polishes work by abrasion but they also contain some deadly poisons. The abrasive in toothpaste is hydrated silica which is - wait for it - sand. So brush with sand if you want to experiment. Just don't be surprised if it tastes like sand.

For more on toothpaste, go to www.lethaldose.org

I wasn't claiming that the abrasives were the soap. When I said Soap, I meant the surfactants. Whether SLS or SDS or any other amphiphilic molecule they use to attack grease. (it's what causes the foaming when you brush). So I was refering to dawn which uses SLS lauryl and laureth variety for that reason.

The reason I mentioned the abasives is that some toothpastes don't have them (I think collgate is one). they use a polymer bead thickener (Carbopol) to get the consistancy. It doesn't make your teeth feel as smooth and "Puuuurty".

 

[joobz]

If some of that Dawn found its way down your throat, you'd get diarrhea. I suggest that people keep the dish soap out of the mouth, and rinse your dishes well.

--Scott

Part of the reason why you don't swollow toothpaste either. It's got the surfactants as well (just not has high concentration).