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Do you find more expensive toothpastes worth the cost?
- Thread starter agkm800
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Yes, I have. To be honest, I haven't used either Colgate or Crest on a regular basis in decades (except occasionally in a convenient travel pack when I am over-nighting somewhere).
Instead, I use natural, or organic toothpaste, and have done so for the best part of two decades; actually, I find the US company 'Tom's of Maine' to be very good. 'Green People' also do pretty good quality natural toothpaste, and I have used 'Aloe Dent', too.
I use Tom's too. It doesn't make my mouth feel like it has been chemically abraded.
To be honest I can't recall how much my toothpaste costs, but I was under the impression it wasn't too different from any of the others.
I don't really care, as I don't seem to be able to tell a difference, apart from flavour. And the problems only develop long term, apart from bad breath of course, so it will be hard to tell the quality difference anyway. I use way more time picking the right toothbrush.
From right when I was a little kid, I used to get mouth ulcers (canker sores for the Americans). They were painful, would take a week to heal, and significantly affect my quality of life. My parents would tell me I got them because I wasn't eating my vegetables. That might have been true when I was a kid, but as an adult I've always tried to be a healthy eater and made sure that I eat lots of veggies. But the ulcers kept coming.
Then, once when I was in my early thirties, I got a severe ear infection, and it hurt like &^%#$! when I swallowed. I visited an ENT doctor. The doctor looked in my ear, but didn't see anything. Then he looked in my mouth, and told me there was no ear infection, just a mouth ulcer at the very back of my mouth, on the right side.
So, I asked Google what causes mouth ulcers. Google pointed me to a study by scientists in Sweden which indicated that toothpastes containing SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) could increase the frequency of mouth ulcers. I checked the toothpaste that I was using, and it did contain SLS. So I went to my local drugstore, and I looked for an SLS-free toothpaste. I couldn't find a single one! This was about five years ago when I was living in India.
So I looked for SLS-free toothpastes on Amazon. I found a six-pack of "Clean and Gentle" by Tom's of Maine, that was certified SLS-free. I ordered it online. The toothpaste cost about $20, and the international shipping and customs came to an additional $70. I felt quite stupid paying nearly a $100 dollars for toothpaste, but I bit the bullet and ordered it.
Since I switched to SLS-free toothpastes, I have not had a single mouth ulcer in the past five years! Best lifestyle change I've ever made.
Of course, YMMV. The Swedish study I read, showed that SLS causes a ~40% increase in the frequency of mouth ulcers. But I didn't have access to their raw data. It could be that SLS could cause mouth ulcers in some unfortunate sensitive folks (like me), and make no difference to other people. I'm just sharing my experience here.
Then, once when I was in my early thirties, I got a severe ear infection, and it hurt like &^%#$! when I swallowed. I visited an ENT doctor. The doctor looked in my ear, but didn't see anything. Then he looked in my mouth, and told me there was no ear infection, just a mouth ulcer at the very back of my mouth, on the right side.
So, I asked Google what causes mouth ulcers. Google pointed me to a study by scientists in Sweden which indicated that toothpastes containing SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) could increase the frequency of mouth ulcers. I checked the toothpaste that I was using, and it did contain SLS. So I went to my local drugstore, and I looked for an SLS-free toothpaste. I couldn't find a single one! This was about five years ago when I was living in India.
So I looked for SLS-free toothpastes on Amazon. I found a six-pack of "Clean and Gentle" by Tom's of Maine, that was certified SLS-free. I ordered it online. The toothpaste cost about $20, and the international shipping and customs came to an additional $70. I felt quite stupid paying nearly a $100 dollars for toothpaste, but I bit the bullet and ordered it.
Since I switched to SLS-free toothpastes, I have not had a single mouth ulcer in the past five years! Best lifestyle change I've ever made.
Of course, YMMV. The Swedish study I read, showed that SLS causes a ~40% increase in the frequency of mouth ulcers. But I didn't have access to their raw data. It could be that SLS could cause mouth ulcers in some unfortunate sensitive folks (like me), and make no difference to other people. I'm just sharing my experience here.
A pleb like me only use peasant brand (Colgate and Crest) toothpaste. I don't see the point in paying more unless they keep my teeth a lot cleaner.
I only buy the more expensive "for sensitive teeth" stuff for the missus because the regular stuff is too harsh for her. Same reason I spring for more expensive TP, since she doesn't like wiping with sandpaper. I would happily use the manly store brand TP that doesn't take sh-- off nobody.
I only buy the more expensive "for sensitive teeth" stuff for the missus because the regular stuff is too harsh for her. Same reason I spring for more expensive TP, since she doesn't like wiping with sandpaper.
I would happily use the manly store brand TP that doesn't take sh-- off nobody.
From right when I was a little kid, I used to get mouth ulcers (canker sores for the Americans). They were painful, would take a week to heal, and significantly affect my quality of life. My parents would tell me I got them because I wasn't eating my vegetables. That might have been true when I was a kid, but as an adult I've always tried to be a healthy eater and made sure that I eat lots of veggies. But the ulcers kept coming.
Then, once when I was in my early thirties, I got a severe ear infection, and it hurt like &^%#$! when I swallowed. I visited an ENT doctor. The doctor looked in my ear, but didn't see anything. Then he looked in my mouth, and told me there was no ear infection, just a mouth ulcer at the very back of my mouth, on the right side.
So, I asked Google what causes mouth ulcers. Google pointed me to a study by scientists in Sweden which indicated that toothpastes containing SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) could increase the frequency of mouth ulcers. I checked the toothpaste that I was using, and it did contain SLS. So I went to my local drugstore, and I looked for an SLS-free toothpaste. I couldn't find a single one! This was about five years ago when I was living in India.
So I looked for SLS-free toothpastes on Amazon. I found a six-pack of "Clean and Gentle" by Tom's of Maine, that was certified SLS-free. I ordered it online. The toothpaste cost about $20, and the international shipping and customs came to an additional $70. I felt quite stupid paying nearly a $100 dollars for toothpaste, but I bit the bullet and ordered it.
Since I switched to SLS-free toothpastes, I have not had a single mouth ulcer in the past five years! Best lifestyle change I've ever made.
Of course, YMMV. The Swedish study I read, showed that SLS causes a ~40% increase in the frequency of mouth ulcers. But I didn't have access to their raw data. It could be that SLS could cause mouth ulcers in some unfortunate sensitive folks (like me), and make no difference to other people. I'm just sharing my experience here.
I get canker sores very rarely-usually one about every 2-3 years.
I generally don't use anything fancy in my toothpaste, but have found that when I do have a canker sore that brushing my teeth with an SLS-containing toothpaste is pure agony. I don't mean just when the brush touches the sore either-just having the toothpaste in my mouth irritates it.
At least here in the United States, the company Sensodyne makes an SLS-free toothpaste that I use when I have a canker sore. I've found that with this particular paste, the only irritation I get when brushing my teeth is when the brush/brush head is in direct contact with the sore and feels no different from anything else(i.e. food) coming into contact with it.
I don't know exactly where the cause and effect relationship lies, but do think from my personal experience that SLS can definitely irritate a sore that is already present.
Agreed. Actually, it is my favourite among the 'healthier' or more natural brands, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to source it - even in the health stores. Other companies seem to be better at marketing (Aloe Dent, for example), but I think Tom's is excellent.
Well, there are areas in your life where small changes might make a difference. Since the 90s, I have become increasingly organic in areas of food and toiletry products; these days my food is (mostly) organic, and the toiletries I use - soaps, shampoos, moisturisers, toothpaste are almost invariably organic as well.
Re toothpaste, my preference was not to put anything containing chemically bizarre ingredients into my mouth.
From right when I was a little kid, I used to get mouth ulcers (canker sores for the Americans). They were painful, would take a week to heal, and significantly affect my quality of life. My parents would tell me I got them because I wasn't eating my vegetables. That might have been true when I was a kid, but as an adult I've always tried to be a healthy eater and made sure that I eat lots of veggies. But the ulcers kept coming.
Then, once when I was in my early thirties, I got a severe ear infection, and it hurt like &^%#$! when I swallowed. I visited an ENT doctor. The doctor looked in my ear, but didn't see anything. Then he looked in my mouth, and told me there was no ear infection, just a mouth ulcer at the very back of my mouth, on the right side.
So, I asked Google what causes mouth ulcers. Google pointed me to a study by scientists in Sweden which indicated that toothpastes containing SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) could increase the frequency of mouth ulcers. I checked the toothpaste that I was using, and it did contain SLS. So I went to my local drugstore, and I looked for an SLS-free toothpaste. I couldn't find a single one! This was about five years ago when I was living in India.
So I looked for SLS-free toothpastes on Amazon. I found a six-pack of "Clean and Gentle" by Tom's of Maine, that was certified SLS-free. I ordered it online. The toothpaste cost about $20, and the international shipping and customs came to an additional $70. I felt quite stupid paying nearly a $100 dollars for toothpaste, but I bit the bullet and ordered it.
Since I switched to SLS-free toothpastes, I have not had a single mouth ulcer in the past five years! Best lifestyle change I've ever made.
Of course, YMMV. The Swedish study I read, showed that SLS causes a ~40% increase in the frequency of mouth ulcers. But I didn't have access to their raw data. It could be that SLS could cause mouth ulcers in some unfortunate sensitive folks (like me), and make no difference to other people. I'm just sharing my experience here.
Fascinating post.
A pleb like me only use peasant brand (Colgate and Crest) toothpaste. I don't see the point in paying more unless they keep my teeth a lot cleaner.
I only buy the more expensive "for sensitive teeth" stuff for the missus because the regular stuff is too harsh for her. Same reason I spring for more expensive TP, since she doesn't like wiping with sandpaper.
Each to his or her own. Personally, I think paying more money for better quality - more natural, and healthier - products is a worthwhile transaction.
I use Tom's because I got a crazy good deal from Amazon for about 20 tubes...
My sister is an oral surgeon with the somewhat rare DMD (doctor of dental medicine) and MD combination.
I always questions like this, thinking there is some profound difference between toothpaste and toothbrush brands and designs. Her advice with toothpaste is "as long as it has fluoride it doesn't really matter" but personally doesn't like Crest products because They tend to leave your mouth dry, which is not good for your teeth.
Her toothbrush advice is go electric, but the difference between the $8 disposable and $200 Sonicare is really insignificant.
I always questions like this, thinking there is some profound difference between toothpaste and toothbrush brands and designs. Her advice with toothpaste is "as long as it has fluoride it doesn't really matter" but personally doesn't like Crest products because They tend to leave your mouth dry, which is not good for your teeth.
Her toothbrush advice is go electric, but the difference between the $8 disposable and $200 Sonicare is really insignificant.
Indeed. But I still prefer to have some idea of what is in something before I put it in my mouth.
Yesterday, for example, friends called in, and I was able to offer them coffee with biscuits. The ingredient list on the biscuits (extremely good Scottish ones) was mercifully short, and even more mercifully, completely comprehensible. It simply read 'butter, flour, sugar, salt', no weird additives, or chemical compounds lurking there. The word 'organic' (after the word 'butter' or 'sugar') may have appeared.
It is the same with toothpaste; natural ingredients as far as possible are preferred (by me), which come in a language that does not defy comprehension when attempting to decipher it.
We get Sensodyne Pronamel, which I guess[?] would qualify for "mid range" toothpaste
You didn't ask - but I'll volunteer - I go mid range or better on shaving cream. Usually Neutrogena Sensitive (no laughing), but occasionally pick up something more boutique like Duke Cannon Superior or Nancy Boy Signature (seriously, stop laughing...)
That's probably a good policy, though I tend to shove stuff in my mouth with an unknown origin pretty often ...
You didn't ask - but I'll volunteer - I go mid range or better on shaving cream. Usually Neutrogena Sensitive (no laughing), but occasionally pick up something more boutique like Duke Cannon Superior or Nancy Boy Signature (seriously, stop laughing...)
That's probably a good policy, though I tend to shove stuff in my mouth with an unknown origin pretty often ...
I generally try to avoid putting things in my mouth (or on my body) with ingredients that I can't pronounce. Someone else expressed it as 'Don't eat foods your grandmother wouldn't recognise.'
Is Sensodyne Pronamel an expensive toothpaste? I ask because there's probably a £50 per tube toothpaste for the coolest of cool guys. I use Sensodyne because cold things hurt sometimes and it fixes that.
(29 years old, visit dentist twice a year but I have no fillings or anything like that. And I drink plenty of sugary drinks too)
(29 years old, visit dentist twice a year but I have no fillings or anything like that. And I drink plenty of sugary drinks too)
