Top toothpaste brands don’t protect against decay and sensitivity

Worse, they contribute to tooth surface loss, which was evident even in the five days the toothpastes were tested.

None of the nine toothpastes – which were marketed as either being for sensitive teeth or preventing cavities and erosion – lived up to their manufacturers’ claims when they were tested by a group of researchers at the University of Bern in Switzerland.

Essentially, they didn’t prevent enamel surface loss, which can lead to hypersensitivity and erosion, the researchers found. Instead, they noted that all were causing some degree of progressive tooth surface loss.

People who are worried about teeth sensitivity and erosion should look to change their diet, and eat more natural foods, the researchers say. “Dental erosion is multi-factorial. It has to do with brushing, and, above all, with diet. Food and drink are increasingly acidic as a result of industrial processing,” said lead researcher Samira Helena Joao-Souza.

Using a toothbrush that is too hard and abrasive can also damage the teeth, she added.

(Source: Scientific Reports, 2017; 7: doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18154-8)

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