Published 24 September 2024, 05:02 on 20min Online, by Malin Mueller
The advice to avoid toothpaste when brushing your teeth keeps circulating on social media. A dentist explains why this is not a good idea.
Anyone who uses toothpaste for their oral hygiene is not doing their teeth any favours - at least that's what various creators on YouTube, Tiktok and Instagram keep claiming. The creamy mixture is said to make you scrub your teeth less thoroughly because the mint flavour alone makes them feel fresh.
The glycerine contained in toothpastes is also said to make teeth feel smoother and cleaner than they actually are. Many people also advise against the fluoride contained in toothpaste. Instead, they advertise dry brushing, i.e. brushing your teeth dry. Sounds strange? Dentist Hannah Selzner explains why this is right.
Hannah Selzner is a dentist at Zahnarztzentrum.ch in Zug and a medical consultant at Swissdent.
Ms Selzner, don't we really need toothpaste when brushing our teeth?
Yes, we absolutely do. It's not just for the fresh, minty flavour. Toothpaste contains a variety of active ingredients. In addition to fluorides, which harden the tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay, other ingredients ensure particularly thorough cleaning or that plaque is removed from the tooth surface. If we do without toothpaste, the risk of diseases and problems with our teeth increases.
What is it about glycerine that makes teeth appear smoother and cleaner than they are?
This is the first time I've heard this. The glycerine is in the toothpaste to prevent the product from drying out or hardening. Because it binds moisture, it keeps the toothpaste smooth.
Suppose the toothpaste was forgotten at home on a weekend trip: Is brushing without toothpaste a makeshift solution?
It's at least better than not brushing at all. If you have a mouthwash with you, you can use it to support your oral hygiene - it also contains active ingredients to protect your teeth and remove plaque. However, if you brush your teeth this way, you will never achieve the same effect as someone who uses toothpaste.
What if you forget to brush your teeth the other way round?
If only the toothpaste has made it into your luggage, you can try to spread it over the surface of your teeth as well as possible with your finger to protect your teeth from disease. Of course, this doesn't work as well as with a toothbrush. It makes it easier to remove plaque and clean the tooth surface so that the active ingredients can reach the tooth well.
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