I’m not a super organized or brand conscious shopper in general. A lot of my purchases come down to 1) notice an end cap sale for some product 2) remember that my supply of that product is running low 3) buy some of the product off that end cap pretty much regardless of exactly what brand/flavor/version/whatever it is.
Last night the current tube of toothpaste was used up, but I’d picked some up a few weeks earlier, so no problem. I pull it out of the supply closet and we’re back in business. This morning I was breaking down the box it came in to put into the cardboard recycling bin, and just idly started skimming the text.
It front panel says “Crest PRO-HEALTH ADVANCED” DEEP CLEAN MINT. And lists a whole row of things it will accomplish for me: cavities/gingivitis/acid erosion/sensitivity/plaque/tartar/whitening/freshens breath. Hmmm. Presumably it works against the first six, but promotes the last two? Strange wording, but okay.
The first side panel has a graphic again showing a caduceus (bet I spelled that wrong) with lines leading to the same assortment of benefits. And a boxed list of all the same benefits with the ADA seal. They’re really insistent they’ll do all this stuff.
The other side panel again repeats the name and flavor and the same 8 benefits. (Did I mention they were serious about it?) And that ADA seal and the number of ounces in the tube and a couple of boasts about their patented technology.
The back panel has the usual lists – active ingredients, a zillion inactive ingredients, instructions to brush twice a day, keep out of kids hands, yadda yadda yadda.
And what really caught my eye: a warning not to use the toothpaste for more than four weeks!
Say what? Why? Will it make my gums too healthy? Will all my teeth fall out? What am I supposed to do, mark on a calendar when to throw out the remaining toothpaste? Then what? Switch to a different brand? Stop brushing all together??
Can I use Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste longer than 4 weeks?
Yes, Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste can be used for longer than four weeks for prevention of cavities and for control of plaque and gingivitis. Sensitive teeth persisting longer than four weeks may indicate a more serious problem that needs prompt attention from your dentist.
Yes, I was pretty sure it was the sensitive teeth thing that was the reason for the 4 weeks. If you don’t have sensitive teeth, then don’t worry about it. The ingredient that fixes that is almost certainly potassium nitrate. It won’t cause any problems to use indefinitely.
The only potential problem is if you initially don’t have sensitive teeth, start using the paste, and then develop a condition that does cause sensitive teeth, that condition will be covered up and you won’t be complaining to your dentist about it. If you’re really worried about this, you can stop using the paste for a couple weeks or so. If you have developed sensitive teeth, they’ll let you know.
Thanks all! So the problem is that you might be applying an ace bandage to a fracture, instead of getting the proper treatment? I guess that makes sense.
But I think that is a very poorly worded ‘warning.’ It makes it sound as if the toothpaste itself might cause some cumulative damage! Why not “If you still have pain from sensitive teeth after using this toothpaste for four weeks, consult with your dentist”?
If you do develop sensitive teeth and are already using it, you won’t know it until you stop using it. You won’t be telling your dentist about it until then, so the condition (receding gums, for example) will be advancing unchecked. However, once your dentist treats that condition, your teeth will still be sensitive (they don’t know how to unrecede gums) and you’ll still have to use the toothpaste.
Around here, foods have expiration dates because
(1) Retailers demand them for stock rotation.
(2) Purchasers think that anything without a ‘best by’ date is made of plastic and preservatives.
Encouraging people to discard food is, if anything, just a bonus.
Aren’t we talking about the whitening toothpaste? If it has a bleaching agent, I guess I can see why there wpuld beca length of use warning. Can someone with medical/dental training weigh in?
The FDA requires the following warning on packages of toothpastes intended for dentinal hypersensitivity: “Sensitive teeth may indicate a serious problem that may need prompt care by a dentist. See a dentist if the problem persists or worsens.”1 The products work slowly, and as long as 2 to 4 weeks may be required before they begin to work. Therefore, all carry labeling indicating that if the problem persists for more than 4 weeks or worsens, an appointment with a dental professional is indicated. The patient should check the formula for the hypersensitivity product to ensure that it also contains fluoride, as some do not. If not, the patient may need to use a fluoridated toothpaste as well.
I vaguely recall seeing something on a toothpaste manufacturer’s website saying that the 4-week limitation is simply an FDA requirement, and the product is safe to use beyond that point. I can’t find that now, though.
Actually, there is a fix for gums that have receded, it’s basically a sort of skin graft, which means a trip to an oral surgeon, some pain, some money, and some time to recover. I’ve known a couple people who had it done. Not fun, but if you need it, it can be done. Pretty much reserved for serious cases, not just the beginning of the process.
The actual warning on my tube of Crest Pro Health reads: “When using this product do not use for sensitivity longer than four weeks unless recommended by a dentist.”