# Are there real differences between various toothpastes or are they largely the same thing that are marketed differently?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 6, 2024, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182 "2024-05-06T12:15:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/21 "2024-05-06T14:22:20Z")

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It does, and I do.😁

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**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/22 "2024-05-06T14:37:57Z")

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Toothpastes all taste different. They have different consistencies. They have different ingredient lists. So yes, they are different.

Are they student in a way that matters to you? What are you looking for in a toothpaste?

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**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/23 "2024-05-06T14:41:06Z")

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I specifically excluded things like flavoring and gel versus paste and so on since those are mostly personal preference. I am curious if (say) “tartar control” or “gum detoxify” really do anything different than your basic fluoride toothpaste? There are so many “whitening” versions I can’t begin to asses one over another.

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**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/24 "2024-05-06T14:47:29Z")

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> [@mbh](#):
>
> Late 1970s or early 1980s, we bought toothpaste from a neighbor who sold Amway. My mom told the dentist how well it worked. The dentist told her that the active ingredient was powdered eggshells. -

Did it taste like chicken?

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**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/25 "2024-05-06T15:03:26Z")

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> [@Whack-a-Mole](#):
>
> I specifically excluded things like flavoring and gel versus paste and so on since those are mostly personal preference.

Sorry, i missed that.

> [@Whack-a-Mole](#):
>
> I am curious if (say) “tartar control” or “gum detoxify” really do anything different than your basic fluoride toothpaste?

I think the ones for “sensitive teeth” really are different. But i dunno about the aspects you are interested in.

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/26 "2024-05-06T15:53:58Z")

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There seems to be some difference between stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and sodium monofluorophosphate. When my dentist told me to start using a tartar control formula, I noticed that ALL the brands labeled Tartar Control had stannous fluoride, even when the regular formulation had sodium fluoride.

Otherwise, there are differences in ho much polishing compound (i.e. grittiness) one type will have, and what if any bleaching agents it might use. But as far as active ingredients go, that’s the only real difference I’ve ever really been able to find.

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**Author:** ![raspberry\_hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/27 "2024-05-06T16:25:42Z")

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Wow, my kid and I are prone to canker sores and I had no idea this was a thing. This may be a life-changer for us!

(I have found out that eating asparagus helps a bunch – that was a tip my childhood dentist’s receptionist told me!)

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/28 "2024-05-06T16:29:32Z")

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> [@raspberry\_hunter](#):
>
> Wow, my kid and I are prone to canker sores and I had no idea this was a thing. This may be a life-changer for us!

I have been evangelizing about this for decades and it will very very likely be life changing. There are a number of sls free toothpastes available. I use one called Verve Ultra.

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**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/29 "2024-05-06T16:41:23Z")

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I’ll keep that sls in mind. I get canker sores once a year or two so it’s not frequent, but still.

Years ago I talked to my dentist and said I keep a toothbrush in my car. Occasionally, with a bottle of water, I’ll … and this may seem gross but when we were in the field during my service years we did similar things… I’ll sip some water and hold it and brush my teeth, then swallow it. Then rinse again and swallow that water. Hey, I like my teeth clean. My dentist said that if I wanted to use some toothpaste and did not mind swallowing it, to use Tom’s of Maine toothpaste.

That was quite a few years ago and I wonder if that is still valid.

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/30 "2024-05-06T16:45:07Z")

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There are a few varieties of Tom’s toothpaste

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**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/31 "2024-05-06T17:01:00Z")

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Many years ago Consumers Report did extensive testing on toothpastes. One thing I recall from the study is that many brands were too abrasive. They tested abrasiveness by scrubbing clear plastic lenses and then analyzing the results. Ultra Brite was the least abrasive . I switched to it and have been using it ever since.

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**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/32 "2024-05-06T17:56:10Z")

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> [@hajario](#):
>
> There are a number of sls free toothpastes available. I use one called Verve Ultra.

I use a Dutch brand called **[Zendium.](https://www.amazon.de/Zendium-Complete-Protection-Proteinen-Zahnpasta/dp/B07CHLBWCK/)** I can find it on the shelf when I go to Germany, but it’s not sold anywhere here in Luxembourg, as far as I can tell.

> [@hajario](#):
>
> There are a few varieties of Tom’s toothpaste

Back when I lived in the US, I used Tom’s because they were SLS free. But then I discovered, the hard way, that they quietly sold their souls to the devil — uh, I mean, changed their formula. At the time I quit using them, all but two or three of their flavors had added SLS, and one of them was the gross-hippie “charcoal” toothpaste that tasted like burnt ass and made my mouth black. Grrr.

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**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/33 "2024-05-06T18:03:45Z")

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> [@hajario](#):
>
> It’s a mild detergent that makes toothpaste foamy.

I don’t have trouble with canker sores, but I hate the foaming. I’ll have to try some SLS free toothpaste.

Looking at Verve, I see it is vegan. Does that mean it uses something other than diatoms for abrasion?

I also dislike strong mint flavor, mostly because I associate it with foaming toothpaste. Are there any SLS free ones that aren’t too strongly flavored? A long time ago I found a tea flavored toothpaste. I can’t remember what brand that was, and I don’t think it exists anymore.

> [@Bullitt](#):
>
> My dentist said that if I wanted to use some toothpaste and did not mind swallowing it, to use Tom’s of Maine toothpaste.

That is probably because the Tom’s is fluoride free, so it should be safe to swallow. Children’s toothpaste from other brands is also often fluoride free for the same reason. Once kids are old enough to spit they should switch to fluoride full varieties.

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**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/34 "2024-05-06T18:06:02Z")

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> [@Cervaise](#):
>
> But then I discovered, the hard way, that they quietly sold their souls to the devil — uh, I mean, changed their formula.

They sold their soul in 2006 to Colgate-Palmolive,

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**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/35 "2024-05-06T18:40:12Z")

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The LD-50 dose of sodium monofluorophosphate for rats is 570 mg/kg. There doesn’t seem to be a published LD-50 for humans, but extrapolating 570 mg/kg to a 50 kg human, the LD-50 would be about 28 grams. Fluoridated toothpaste typically contains 0.75% sodium monofluorophosphate, so to get 28 grams you’d need to ingest about 3.7 kg (8 pounds) of toothpaste. You are far more likely to ingest a dangerous dose of caffeine by drinking coffee than to ingest a dangerous dose of fluoride by brushing your teeth.

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**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/36 "2024-05-06T18:46:46Z")

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IIRC fluoride as a means to protect teeth was discovered when some mining town in the early days of the US had people getting brown teeth. A doctor investigated and found very high concentrations of fluoride in the water. The people were fine other than having stained teeth from the fluoride despite constantly drinking this water. But, the doctor also noticed that they all had unusually low levels of tooth decay for the time. He put 2-and-2 together and hit on fluoride as a means to prevent tooth decay and found lower levels worked as well and did not stain the teeth.

tl;dr Fluoride is fine in small doses and even beneficial. There’s a reason many cities add it to the water supply. (Just do not watch “Dr. Strangelove”.)

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**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/37 "2024-05-06T18:52:58Z")

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> [@hajario](#):
>
> I have to get it online. I like Verve but there are other options.

Just added it to my Amazon cart.

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/38 "2024-05-06T18:57:37Z")

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Excellent post and to add to it, the fluoride warning is specifically for children under six years old and is probably meant for the situation where a very young child thinks that toothpaste is candy and gulps down an entire tube. Obviously someone under six wouldn’t have the intellect to understand the warning so it’s meant for the adults.

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**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/39 "2024-05-06T19:32:44Z")

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> [@Whack-a-Mole](#):
>
> fluoride as a means to protect teeth was discovered when some mining town in the early days of the US had people getting brown teeth

It was Colorado Springs and was first noticed in 1901\[1\], and the condition was originally called “Colorado Brown Stain.”

[https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/fluoride/the-story-of-fluoridation](https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/fluoride/the-story-of-fluoridation)

* * *

1. I’m sure the residents knew, but first noticed by dentists who didn’t live there

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**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/40 "2024-05-06T20:08:13Z")

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> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> Are they student in a way that matters to you?

What??

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