A good toothpaste should not only ensure fresh breath and radiantly white teeth, but above all it should also guarantee reliable protection against tooth decay. It is all the more surprising that in the large toothpaste test Stiftung Warentest , eight out of 21 pastes failed because of poor caries prevention.
There are three types of toothpaste
If you stand in front of the toothpaste shelf, you usually have three types of toothpaste to choose from. Universal toothpaste, sensitive toothpaste and toothpaste with a white claim. Universal toothpastes offer the standard care for normal teeth, so to speak. They usually promise positive effects for teeth and gums and, above all, protection against tooth decay. The active ingredient fluoride, which has been proven to prevent tooth decay, is therefore very important. Sensitive toothpastes , on the other hand, are aimed specifically at people with sensitive teeth. Therefore, they should be particularly gentle and have low to very low abrasion. All those toothpastes that give hope for whiter teeth are considered whitening toothpastes .
Eight times deficient for universal toothpastes
With their many talents, universal toothpastes are, so to speak, the all-rounders among toothpastes. Their most important function: protection against tooth decay. This is mainly ensured the ingredient fluoride , which is why toothpastes should contain the highest possible concentration of it. However, the investigation Stiftung Warentest has now shown that there is often far too little of this trace element in toothpaste:
A total of eight out of 21 toothpastes failed because of poor caries prophylaxis with “insufficient” . This includes expensive (organic) products such as “Mint Toothpaste Forte” from Dr. Hauschka, the “Droste Laux Toothpaste with Epiphany Gifts” or the “Complete Care Fluoridfrei” from Lavera.
Only seven creams were rated ” very good” . These include, for example, Colgate’s “Total plus healthy freshness” and Logodent’s “all-round protection toothpaste with fluoride”. With the “Eurodent herbal triple precaution” from Aldi Süd and the “Eurodent herbal caries protection” from Aldi Nord, two inexpensive brands are among the front runners.
What does fluoride do?
Tooth decay is caused plaque, i.e. bacterial film on the teeth. These plaque bacteria usually feed on the sugars in our food. They form acids that dissolve minerals from the tooth enamel and thus damage it. A toothpaste containing fluoride counteracts this. Fluoride helps the tooth surface to return minerals. It also makes the teeth more resistant to acids, which prevents tooth decay. Toothpastes with amine fluoride, stannous fluoride or sodium fluoride are particularly suitable for caries prophylaxis. Here you can filter the toothpastes tested Stiftung Warentest according to the type of fluoride >>Toothpastes that deliberately do without fluoride were rated as unsatisfactory.
What helps people who are afraid of the dentist?
Specially trained dentists use hypnosis or acupuncture, among other things, to counteract the fear of dental treatment. Others try to allay fears of needles with soothing music or scents like lavender and orange.
How can the dentist encourage the patient?
At many dental clinics, the doctors work with clickers that they put into the patient’s hands. He can then interrupt the treatment with a clicker if it gets too much for him – and has the good feeling of remaining in control of the procedure.
What does general anesthesia bring?
General anesthesia should only be used if no other therapy is effective. Anxiolytics such as “Dormicum” make the patient eligible for emergency treatment, but do not change the causes of the fear.
Why is nitrous oxide making a comeback?
Laughing gas only slightly dampens consciousness, is exhaled quickly and is therefore easier to control than anesthetics in the blood. Disadvantage: It sometimes causes dizziness and nausea.
Does psychotherapy help against dental anxiety?
Yes. The success rate is 70 percent. It is treated with a mix of information about the procedure, muscle relaxation according to Jacobson, desensitization and a review of the reasons behind the fear. Three sessions are often enough.