# Are there real differences between various toothpastes or are they largely the same thing that are marketed differently? **URL:** \ **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:** 4
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/61 "2024-05-08T12:40:48Z")
> [@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. In the short run, it would make your teeth beautifully white, but in the long run, it would damage the enamel. So, we switched back to the store brands. Eggshells are calcium carbonate. Yes, abrasive. It’s in a lot of toothpastes, especially ‘whitener’ types. ---
**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 15, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/62 "2024-05-15T22:24:28Z")
FWIW I was at my dentist again yesterday and, because of this thread, I asked her what toothpaste to get. She said anything with fluoride is fine. The rest is marketing. I asked her about different types of fluoride, twice, and she said it didn’t matter. Just use a fluoride toothpaste and do not rinse your mouth after brushing (just spit out what you can). Her only caveats were that gum detoxify may have some use in some cases and something like Sensodyne is good for sensitive teeth. Other than that, use whatever you like as long as it has fluoride. She did give me a prescription for a higher fluoride content toothpaste but it is not a directive…only if I want to use it. I have not used it yet but the directions are to use it only before bed (presumably so it has the most time on your teeth before eating or drinking something). The other times I brush I would use “normal” toothpaste. ETA: I do not have the sensitivity and mouth sores some have described here so my dentist was not considering that for me. ---
**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 18, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/63 "2024-05-18T22:33:25Z")
Based on this thread I was looking for toothpaste without SLS, because the foaming makes me gag. I knew I could order some online, but hadn’t gotten around to it, because I didn’t have anything else to buy. I was at Target and found toothpaste “Made By Dentists” that claimed to be sulfate free, but _with_ fluoride. It does not have SLS, and does not foam. So now I can use the recommended “pea” sized amount of toothpaste, without any problems. There were two varieties at Target: whitening and enamel building. The enamel building had potassium nitrate (anti sensitivity) as an additional active ingredient over just the sodium fluoride of the whitening version. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/64 "2024-05-19T02:22:48Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > There were two varieties at Target: whitening and enamel building. Would you be so kind as to PM me the brand of those toothpastes? I’d sure like to have some without SLS, with fluoride. Thank you. ---
**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 19, 2024, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/65 "2024-05-19T02:23:26Z")
I use Verve ---
**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 19, 2024, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/66 "2024-05-19T02:30:30Z")
I’ve always used less than a pea-sized dollop. Seems to work fine. ---
**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 19, 2024, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/67 "2024-05-19T02:32:21Z")
I use more than pea sized. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/68 "2024-05-19T03:01:03Z")
Dr. Bronner’s toothpaste does not have SLS in it, and a couple of varieties of Sensodyne also do not contain SLS. The Bronner’s stuff does not have flouride in it. I can’t stand brushing my teeth and _not_ rinsing all that gunk out, so I brush with Dr. Bronner’s, rinse a couple of times with water, then rinse with a non-alcohol flouride mouthwash – right now Tom’s of Maine because it was on sale, but usually Listerine. Afterwards I wait half an hour before drinking or eating anything. My dentist is happy with this routine using these specific products. Dr. Bronner’s makes a very pleasant cinnamon flavored toothpaste, as well as a spearmint paste that is much milder flavored than most mint pastes. ---
**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 19, 2024, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/69 "2024-05-19T03:06:10Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > I use more than pea sized You’re just wasting it. Toothpaste commercials used to show people squeezing out a whole toothbrush-worth and then some, so that we’d go through a tube faster. You only need a pea-sized amount. Any more is throwing away your money. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/70 "2024-05-19T03:06:36Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > > [@echoreply](#): > > > > There were two varieties at Target: whitening and enamel building. > > Would you be so kind as to PM me the brand of those toothpastes? Screw that. @echoreply mind giving a shout-out to the non-SLS stuff? I’m a non-fan of the artificial “but it FEELS clean!” foaming. > [@SuntanLotion](#): > > I use more than pea sized. May I ask why? ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/71 "2024-05-19T03:28:54Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > May I ask why? I can’t speak for @SuntanLotion but in my own case, it’s because I want to brush my teeth, not just a tooth. I’m a big fan of vanilla toothpaste and there is not nearly enough of it out there. I have to order it online and it’s way more expensive than a tube of regular Crest. Speaking of regular, I do not recommend “Regular” as a flavor because it isn’t one. It’s the absence of flavor, a deep void from which flavor will never emerge. Regular-flavored toothpaste is ennui in a tube. I want to call it gross but it isn’t even offensive except in how inoffensive it tries to be. It’s just… there. I am tired of mint but I’ll take mint over regular any day. ---
**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 19, 2024, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/72 "2024-05-19T03:48:03Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > d sure like to have some without SLS, with fluoride > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > mind giving a shout-out to the non-SLS stuff? The brand is “[Made By Dentists](https://www.madebydentists.com/).” At the moment some of the tooth pastes are on sale at Target. I don’t know if they’re in any other retail store. > **[Made by Dentists : Target](https://www.target.com/b/made-by-dentists/-/N-q643lermep2)** > > Shop Target for a wide assortment of Made by Dentists. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. Free standard shipping with $35 orders. Expect More. Pay Less. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/73 "2024-05-19T04:35:43Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > At the moment some of the tooth pastes are on sale at Target Thank you. I see a visit to Target in my near future. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/74 "2024-05-19T07:15:08Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > The brand is “[Made By Dentists](https://www.madebydentists.com/).” Thank you, although the marketing appears to target feral children who may need rabies shots in addition to dental cavity prevention. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/75 "2024-05-19T20:32:07Z")
I use a brand called Biorepair, which contains hydroxyapatite which they claim is similar to tooth enamel and leaves a layer of the stuff on your teeth after brushing that will repair micro cavities. I’m aware that there are insufficient third-party studies to back up that claim, so perhaps I’m a sucker falling for marketing puffs, but I’ll give it a go. Interestingly, to chip in on the debate above, the chemicals in that paste don’t work with fluoride, so the product doesn’t contain it. I know, however, that fluoride toothpaste is good for you, so I’m alternating between that stuff and a conventional brand with fluoride in it. ---
**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 20, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/76 "2024-05-20T19:17:56Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Just added it to my Amazon cart. I’ve been using it for almost two weeks and I think non-SLS is fantastic. ---
**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 20, 2024, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/77 "2024-05-20T19:18:39Z")
I usually just go for a good flavor. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/78 "2024-05-21T01:58:40Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Would you be so kind as to PM me the brand of those toothpastes? I’d sure like to have some without SLS, with fluoride. Biotene. ---
**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 21, 2024, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/79 "2024-05-21T02:02:23Z")
BTW, most mouthwashes also have SLS. One needs to pay attention there as well. I like Tooth and Gums Tonic. > **[Amazon.com: Dental Herb Company - Tooth & Gums Tonic (18 oz.) Mouthwash :...](https://www.amazon.com/Dental-Herb-Company-Tooth-Bottle/dp/B01C5YB7LE)** > > Buy Dental Herb Company - Tooth & Gums Tonic (18 oz.) Mouthwash on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders Verve Ultra SLS Free Toothpaste > **[Amazon.com : Verve Ultra SLS-Free Toothpaste with Fluoride, 4.5 oz. (Pack of 4)...](https://www.amazon.com/Verve-Ultra-SLS-Free-Toothpaste-Fluoride/dp/B00DZ3BBZ2)** > > Verve, premium toothpaste without Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, is enriched with anti-oxidants, including vitamin E , and formulated for everyday use. Verve's gentle whitening, fluoride formulation fights cavities, and effectively cleans and removes surface... ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/80 "2024-05-21T04:30:16Z")
I had a period of increased tooth decay. My dentist recommended a high fluoride toothpaste. It’s supposed to be bought through a dentist’s office Rx only. Clinpro 5000 1.1% Sodium fluoride $16 but a tube lasts almost a year. It’s helped stabilize a couple spots the dentist is watching. They aren’t bad enough to fill. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182.md?page=5)