• Question: What's the benefit in using toothpaste when brushing your teeth?

    Asked by soggysheepy to Andrew, Janey P, Kinda, Ravi, SarahJane on 24 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Jane Paget

      Jane Paget answered on 24 Jun 2013:


      The main point of cleaning our teeth is to remove/reduce any bacteria that can cause the tooth to decay /rot or cause disease. This is mostly achieved through the bristles on the tooth brush and removing any excess food still in the mouth that the bacteria can also feed off.

      So brushing along with the natural processes that occur in the mouth is what largely what keeps your teeth clean. Toothpaste can help by adding an additional level of abrasion to the bristles of the toothbrush. This is especially true of toothpastes that claim to cause whitening. However abrasive toothpastes can wear aware the enamel of the tooth if used for longer periods.

      So the main reason to use toothpaste is to freshen breath.

    • Photo: Sarah-Jane Walsh

      Sarah-Jane Walsh answered on 27 Jun 2013:


      Toothpaste can also neutralise acidity in your mouth, if you go to bed after eating something without brushing then your saliva remains acidic and dissolves away your teeth over night!

      Trust me when your older and have acid erosion from eating to many sweets you will be a lot more careful! I’m pretty sure my teeth will have dissolved before i’m 40 eeek…….

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