Is expensive toothpaste really better than the cheap stuff?

Image credit: Bruno/ Germany from Pixabay

Buying toothpaste can be a bit of a nightmare because there are so many options available. Most people just pick a brand they like the look of and stick with it, without really thinking about whether it’s the best option or not. The price of toothpaste ranges a lot, but are the expensive ones really any better or is it just fancy packaging? Some people assume that there is no difference, but that isn’t actually the case. In fact, if you want to take care of your family’s dental health, you need to start paying attention to the toothpaste you buy. Here are some of the key things to look out for. ​​

Ignore Packaging And Buzzwords 
Toothpaste packets always have lots of fancy pictures and buzzwords to make it look like they’re better than the other options. Often, they’ll say things like ‘7 in 1’ toothpaste and list all sorts of benefits. But if you consider these things, they’re often a stretch and it just amounts to cleaning your teeth and gums. For example, eliminating bacteria and preventing bad breath are basically the same thing because the bad breath is caused by bacteria. So, ignore all of that stuff and look closer at what is actually in it and what the benefits are. 

Check The Ingredients 
When you are comparing different brands, always look at the ingredients in the toothpaste. The main thing you should be looking for is fluoride because that is what will clean and protect your teeth, especially if your family has a sweet tooth. There are a lot of herbal brands that market themselves as natural alternatives that are better for you, but they don’t contain any fluoride, so avoid these. Ideally, look for toothpaste that has between 1400 and 1500 parts per million. 

Consider Your Specific Needs
When picking a toothpaste, you should consider your specific needs. Do you have a lot of problems with staining? Do you have very sensitive teeth? Different formulations can deal with these specific dental problems, so take this into account when making your decision. If you buy from a specialist dental supplies company instead of the supermarket, you can get a bigger range of medicated toothpaste to help with your dental issues. If you are using the wrong toothpaste for your teeth, you are more likely to experience dental problems in the future. 

Ask Your Dentist
Often, people don’t really know what kind of toothpaste they need and they end up making the wrong choice. For example, whitening toothpaste can be quite abrasive, so if you use this when you have sensitive teeth, you will only make the problem worse. If you don’t really know what you should be looking for, ask your dentist for some advice. They will be able to recommend the right type of toothpaste for your teeth and they will also have a better idea of which brands are good and which ones aren’t. 

If you just pick the cheapest toothpaste every time, you could be causing yourself more problems. So, consider all of these factors and be prepared to pay a bit more for the good stuff.