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.
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.
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.
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.
Alex Bratic Dental Care is conveniently located on City Road at Beenleigh. We are close to transport and our onsite parking is free and very easy to access.
For all Health Fund Members our HICAPS facility enables payments to be processed at the time of the appointment, which means members, are only required to pay the difference between the charged fee & the Health Fund Rebate (gap fee).
Contact us on (07) 3287 2627 or simply book your appointment online.