There are a multitude of toothpastes available claiming to have advantages over other brands and designed to achieve different results. The active ingredient in toothpaste is fluoride. For most people a 1000 p.p.m. fluoride concentration is ideal. Virtually all toothpastes from most major companies such as Colgate, Oral-B and Macleans will use this concentration. Any of these products are satisfactory.
Specialty toothpastes
- Children’s toothpaste
Fluoride is fantastic in small amounts. But you can have too much of a good thing. Small children tend to swallow a larger portion of their toothpaste. For this reason, children under 6 should use a children’s strength toothpaste of 500 p.p.m. of fluoride. Again, major companies produce a “Junior Toothpaste”, at this concentration.
- High Fluoride toothpaste
We are not all equally susceptible to tooth decay. For patients whose teeth decay easily I recommend high fluoride toothpaste. The higher fluoride concentration strengthens the tooth enamel & can actually reverse early tooth decay.
What We Recommend
I recommend Neutrafluor 5000. As the name suggests, it is 5000 p.p.m. (Parts per million) fluoride, which is five times the regular concentration. These products are only effective if used on an ongoing basis. A single tube is not going to provide a long-term benefit.
We supply & sell Neutrafluor 5000 toothpaste to at cost price. Otherwise, Neutrafluor toothpaste can only be purchased at pharmacies (it is not available at supermarkets). It can be found in the “Pharmacist Only” section & you will be required to provide your name & address to buy it.
I cannot emphasise enough the importance of a good daily oral home care routine. Hopefully with the selection of the right toothpaste together with a good brushing technique optimal dental health can be achieved.
Next week I will comment on a few other types of specialty toothpastes- Desensitising, Herbal & Whitening toothpastes.
