Choosing the Right Toothpaste: A Guide for Aussies

Toothpaste is a staple in every Australian bathroom, but with so many options, how do you choose the one that’s best for you? From fluoride to xylitol, whitening to sensitivity, and tartar control, this guide breaks down the essentials to help you make an informed choice.

In this article, we'll explore the various components found in toothpaste, guide you on how to choose the right one for your needs and provide our top recommendations.

Fluoride vs. Non-Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride Toothpaste:
Fluoride is one of the most effective ingredients for preventing tooth decay. It strengthens enamel, making teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and sugary foods. Dentists recommend fluoride toothpaste for:

Children and adults to reduce cavities.
People prone to decay, such as those with a high-sugar diet or poor oral hygiene.

Non-Fluoride Toothpaste:
For those who prefer to avoid fluoride, perhaps due to allergies or concerns about overexposure, non-fluoride toothpaste is an alternative. These options may include ingredients like xylitol, a natural sweetener that inhibits the growth of cavity-causing bacteria. Non-fluoride toothpaste is best suited for:

People seeking natural or fluoride-free products.
Young children whose swallowing reflexes aren't fully developed (in low-fluoride formulas).

The Role of Xylitol in Toothpaste

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol often found in toothpaste, especially natural or fluoride-free varieties. It helps prevent cavities by neutralising harmful bacteria in the mouth and reducing plaque formation.

While it doesn’t replace fluoride’s enamel-strengthening benefits, it’s an excellent supplementary ingredient for oral health.

Whitening Toothpaste: Best Active Ingredients

Whitening toothpaste often contains:

Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide: These bleach surface stains for a brighter smile.
Silica or calcium carbonate: Gentle abrasives that polish teeth and remove discolouration.
Sodium hexametaphosphate: Prevents future stains by creating a protective barrier.

While these ingredients are safe for most people, overuse can lead to enamel thinning, so it’s best to follow the product's instructions.

Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive toothpaste contains ingredients like potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, which block nerve pathways in exposed dentin. This makes the toothpaste less harsh on sensitive areas while still effective for general cleaning.

But can people without sensitivity use it? Absolutely! It’s a gentle option for anyone, though they might miss out on stronger whitening or tartar control benefits available in other formulations.

Tartar Control Toothpaste

Tartar, a hardened form of plaque, builds up when plaque isn’t removed regularly. People who struggle with oral hygiene or are prone to plaque buildup are more likely to develop tartar.

Tartar control toothpaste typically contains pyrophosphates or zinc citrate, which help prevent plaque from hardening into tartar. While these formulas don’t remove existing tartar (only a dentist can do that), they’re effective at reducing new buildup.

A Toothpaste That Does It All?

Finding a single toothpaste that combines xylitol, whitening ingredients, tartar control, fluoride, and sensitivity relief is challenging. Most brands focus on specific benefits. However, some come close.

Spry Whitening with Fluoride Toothpaste

This toothpaste is not readily available in Australia; however, it can be purchased online through iHerb or Amazon.

At the top of our list, this is a great all-rounder. It contains Xylitol, which helps inhibit cavity-causing bacteria. 1,000 ppm of Fluoride (the average recommended dose in toothpaste) which helps to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities.

It also contains gentle whitening abrasives like hydrated silica to remove stains.

Grants of Australia Complete Care with Fluoride Natural Toothpaste

Available on the shelves or online in Australia, is Grants of Australia Complete Care With Fluoride.

Another great all-rounder, but with a milder strength compared to Spry. This is a great option if price or availability is a concern since this toothpaste is cheaper and more readily accessible than the Sprys toothpaste mentioned above.

While also containing xylitol, 1,000ppm of fluoride and moderate whitening (containing calcium carbonate), it also contains aloe vera and cardamom to promote a clean, polished and gentle finish.

It does, however, lack the potency of hydrated silica as found in Sprys, or peroxide-based whitening agents found in other toothpastes on the market.

Best toothpaste for whitening

White Glo professional whitening

This toothpaste has quickly become a staple on Australian grocery store shelves, and with good reason.

White Glo professional whitening is a great option for whitening due to advanced micro-polishing agents and peroxide-free brightening ingredients.

It doesn’t contain xylitol however, and it does contain a very high fluoride content - the maximum legally allowed in Australia (1,450 ppm).

Best all-rounder for sensitive teeth

Sensodyne ProNamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste (with Tartar Control)

This is a fantastic all-rounder if you have sensitive teeth but still seek whitening benefits.

Sensodyne ProNamel gentle whitening contains 1,450 ppm fluoride for cavity prevention and zinc citrate, which helps reduce tartar buildup. It is also specifically formulated to relieve tooth sensitivity, making it a good option for sensitive teeth. Another great feature of this toothpaste is that it gently whitens teeth by removing stains.

This particular toothpaste doesn’t include xylitol as an active ingredient. But it can’t have it all, right!?

Final Tips

With these recommendations in mind, you might need to compromise and alternate between different products for a broader range of benefits. It’s also a good idea to consult your dentist for tailored recommendations.

Always choose toothpaste with the Australian Dental Association (ADA) seal for quality assurance.
Avoid abrasive pastes if you have weakened enamel.
Visit your dentist regularly to address specific oral health concerns.

With the right toothpaste, you can take a big step towards maintaining a healthy, radiant smile!