What’s the difference between toothpaste priced at 5 and 25? The truth might shock you

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From the age of 3 to 80, people should brush their teeth twice a day, and toothpaste is an essential household item. There is a vast array of toothpastes available on the market, with various functions and flavors that can be overwhelming. Their prices range from two or three yuan to dozens or even hundreds of yuan. So, which toothpaste is the best? 　　Life Times has invited authoritative dental experts to guide you step by step in choosing the toothpaste that is best suited for you. 　　Experts interviewed: Xiang Jianqiang, Executive Vice President of the China Oral Care Products Industry Association; Ding Xiaoyi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Stomatological Association; Wang Weijian, Professor in the Department of Preventive Dentistry at Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology; Ouyang Yong, Deputy Director of the Department of Oral Prevention at Guanghua Stomatological Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. The Beijing Consumers Association conducted comparative tests on 64 types of toothpaste products manufactured by 28 companies in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and other cities, including regular toothpaste, fluoride-containing toothpaste, and toothpaste made from traditional Chinese herbs. The prices of these products ranged from 1 yuan to 23 yuan. The experimental results show that although these toothpastes vary in price, there is no significant difference in product quality. 　　Some media outlets also consulted Li Xiaojun, the head of the Periodontics Department at Zhejiang Stomatological Hospital, bringing two types of toothpaste: one was a domestic toothpaste priced at around 10 yuan, and the other was an imported toothpaste priced at around 40 yuan. Li Xiaojun said there is no difference between the two in terms of ingredients and efficacy. 　　The main component of toothpastes available on the market today is an abrasive; the rest consists of humectants, thickeners, and foaming agents and similar substances. 　　The price difference is mainly due to the brand and the additional features claimed. Additional functions such as whitening, hemostasis, and anti-allergy can affect the price, but they are not sufficient to have a direct impact on oral health. 　　Experts believe that in the past, toothpastes had relatively simple functions, with 90% being ordinary products; nowadays, 90% of them are functional products. The primary function of toothpaste is to clean the mouth; effects such as whitening, cavity prevention, desensitization, and stopping bleeding are secondary. If the mouth is in good health, ordinary toothpaste is sufficient. 　　A comprehensive look at 5 types of functional toothpastes 1 Whitening toothpastes These contain special \"abrasive particles\" that can remove stains such as those caused by smoking or tea from the surface of the teeth; however, they are ineffective against deep-seated intrinsic stains like those caused by tetracycline or fluorosis. 　　If the friction particles are large and hard, long-term use can also lead to tooth wear. 　　There are also whitening toothpastes containing blue paste; the blue foam only provides a temporary \"visual effect\" of whitening. 　　2　Acid-resistant toothpaste: Its mechanism is to form a protective layer on the surface of the teeth, thereby enhancing the disease resistance of the periodontal tissues. However, it should be stopped using once the symptoms improve, as otherwise it will disrupt the microbial balance in the mouth. 　　3　 Anti-inflammatory toothpaste: Antibacterial agents are added to regular toothpaste, and long-term use can lead to an imbalance in the bacteria in the mouth; therefore, it is advisable to replace it after using one tube. 　　4 Desensitizing toothpastes: Contain desensitizing ingredients such as fluoride and strontium chloride; they provide some relief only for mild dentin sensitivity. If no improvement is seen after using them for a period of time, use should be discontinued. 　　5　　Mouthfreshening toothpastes: The freshness of breath comes from thorough brushing that removes plaque and harmful bacteria, rather than from the fragrance of the toothpaste itself; therefore, the scent of the toothpaste is not that important. 　　The toothpaste that’s best for you looks like this. Most people should choose fluoride-containing toothpaste; it is the best option for the general population. Tests have shown that brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste reduces the risk of tooth decay by 40%. 　　It is worth noting that teenagers and the elderly can use it more frequently, while preschool children should use it with caution and need parental assistance to avoid accidentally swallowing toothpaste, as this could lead to excessive fluoride intake over time. 　　Choose those with small particles to prevent tooth damage. When selecting toothpaste, pay attention to the quality of the abrasive used. Those containing aluminum hydroxide and calcium hydrogen phosphate are better; silica is next in quality, while calcium carbonate is of the lowest quality. 　　Furthermore, particles of various abrasives come in different sizes; those that are smaller cause less damage to the tooth surface. 　　Achieve point 4 for healthy teeth: 1. Brush your teeth once in the morning and once in the evening. Keep the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth, and it’s best to brush in circular motions; each brushing session should last at least 2 minutes. 　　Under no circumstances should you brush your teeth in a back-and-forth motion, as this will damage the protective layer on the tooth surface and cause sensitivity. 　　2　Buy small tubes of toothpaste; especially those that have already been opened, it’s best to use them up within one or two months. Furthermore, trying to use toothpastes with different effects and brands can yield various benefits. 　　3 A one-centimeter amount of toothpaste is sufficient. The \"Guidelines for Oral Health of Chinese Residents\" recommend using one centimeter of toothpaste each time, and brushing carefully every tooth. 　　Especially with fluoride toothpaste, just a amount the size of a pea should be used each time, as otherwise it can make teeth brittle. 　　4 It’s more effective not to wet the toothpaste. When brushing their teeth, most people *inhabitually wet the toothbrush first before applying toothpaste. Experts believe that it is not advisable to wet the toothbrush before brushing, as this easily leads to foaming, giving people the illusion that their teeth have been cleaned. 　　Toothpaste does not use foam to clean teeth; instead, it relies on its cleaning ingredients and the friction between the toothbrush and the teeth. The finer the friction and the longer the time, the cleaner it will be brushed.