# 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:** 7\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Saffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saffer/32/6440_2.png) [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/81 "2024-05-21T10:02:06Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > My dentist’s concern was fluoride. He never mentioned SLS. Was your dentist concerned because they think fluoride is good, or because they think fluoride is bad? If the latter, consider finding a new dentist. Fluoride works by getting swapped out by calcium in your saliva, and actually can repair enamel over time. If you are concerned that fluoride is poisonous, so is everything else in high enough quantities. Sodium will kill you if you have too much, and will kill you if you do not have enough, for example. ---
**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 21, 2024, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/82 "2024-05-21T12:32:41Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > 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 My dentist just did the same for me but prescribed PreviDent 5000 Booster 1.1% Sodium Flu (what is says on the prescription…I have not gotten it filled yet). Directions says to use only once a day, before bed. Do not rinse mouth after use. ---
**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, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/83 "2024-05-21T12:45:44Z")
I intended to post this early on but couldn’t remember the name of the company until just now. There was a toothpaste brand called Rembrandt that had an sls free variant. It was the best of all of the ones that I have ever tried. Plus the company was headquartered close to me. One day I looked to buy some on Amazon and the price had increased ten fold. I found out that Johnson & Johnson had bought them and canceled the sls free type. Some asshole got wind of it early and cornered the market. What a complete dick move. Anyway, on the subject of canker sores/mouth ulcers, there is a medicine that works very well to reduce the severity when you do get one. It requires a prescription which you can get from a doctor or dentist. Believe it or not, it’s sulfuric acid applied topically with a q-tip. Put it on as soon as one first pops up and you burn those little fuckers away. Each dose is a little kit with the medication in a little vial. I get ten at a time and order more when I run out. Debacterol > **[Debacterol Canker Sore Medication](http://www.debacterol.com/)** > > Debacterol is a topical pharmaceutical that is used in the treatment of ulcerating oral mucosal lesions (canker sores). It has also been successfully used in clinical settings for gingival and medium to severe periodontitis. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/84 "2024-05-21T13:31:45Z")
> [@fedman1](#): > > I’ve noticed Pepsodent has disappeared from stores I wondered where the fellow went. ---
**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, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/85 "2024-05-21T20:57:12Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > My dentist’s concern was fluoride. He never mentioned SLS. Not everyone gets canker sores from SLS. It is just that SLS is useless, and can cause canker sores in many people. ---
**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, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/86 "2024-05-21T20:58:17Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Anyway, on the subject of canker sores/mouth ulcers, there is a medicine that works very well to reduce the severity when you do get one. It requires a prescription which you can get from a doctor or dentist. Believe it or not, it’s sulfuric acid applied topically with a q-tip. Put it on as soon as one first pops up and you burn those little fuckers away. Each dose is a little kit with the medication in a little vial. I get ten at a time and order more when I run out. I used to do that with Hydrogen peroxide. ---
**Author:** ![MeepersC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meepersc/32/12088_2.png) [@MeepersC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeepersC)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-real-differences-between-various-toothpastes-or-are-they-largely-the-same-thing-that-are-marketed-differently/1001182/87 "2024-05-24T03:18:32Z")
Same. I used to get canker sores constantly until I switched to Sensodyne about 10 years ago, which doesn’t have sodium laurel sulfate. I switched because my teeth, especially my front ones, were getting super sensitive. The fact I’ve only had 2 or 3 canker sores since switching is just a bonus. [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=4)