It’s important to choose a gentle and nourishing cream for your face, shampoo that protects and cares for your hair, and the ‘right’ kind of any other cosmetic product that will be touching your skin. But when it comes to choosing a toothpaste, you should be equally careful – if not even more so. Learn how to find the right toothpaste, with this smart guide.
Is it gentle on your teeth?
Some toothpastes can feel rough on your teeth, others are more gentle. This is mainly due to RDA: relative dentin abrasion index. RDA value depends on the size, quantity and surface structure of the abrasive substances used in toothpastes. Highly abrasive substances are good for cleaning hard surfaces like stainless steel. For teeth, however, gentle means better, as overly abrasive toothpastes can damage the enamel, causing microscratches and gradual tooth decay. The ISO specification states that a toothpaste should not exceed an RDA of 250.
The lowest RDA is between 20 and 70. Anything above 70 is considered medium abrasion, which is also suitable for long-term use – so long as you have strong healthy teeth. An RDA above 150 is borderline harmful, and should only be used if prescribed by your dentist. Anything with an RDA above 250 is forbidden. The ideal number is around 50, which surprisingly, can even be found in effective whitening toothpastes.
How does it clean and support the health of your mouth?
Your toothbrush does most of the actual cleaning, thanks to its mechanical actions. A toothpaste should be a nourishing cocktail to support your teeth and gum health. So what should you look for in a proper toothpaste? Here are the important ingredients that should be definitely on the list:
✅ Fluoride is a natural element that helps remineralise your enamel to keep it strong for longer. This mineral supports overall teeth health because of its ability to reverse early signs of tooth decay and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. It is a naturally occurring element in bones.
✅ Hydroxyapatite is a mineral that already makes up 95% of tooth enamel. As an added ingredient in a toothpaste, it helps to seal the dentin tubules, to reduce pain, and to remineralise teeth. Its positive side-effect is that it also acts as a protective layer around teeth, when used regularly. The result is cleaner and whiter teeth, for longer.
✅ Herbal extracts from echinacea, devil’s claw, pennywort, and extract from bitter orange, all serve as soothing and regenerative remedies for mucous membranes and gums. These powerful herbs have natural abilities in reducinginflammation and supporting healing after treatments and operations.
✅ Xylitol is a form of natural sugar extracted, for example, from birch trees. It inhibits the growth of cavity-causing bacteria and also gives toothpastes a pleasant mild sweet taste.
✅ Vitamin B5 helps to keep your mucous layer moist and also to regenerate cells faster, for healthier gums.
❌ One of the most important harmful ingredients you should watch out for, is SLS — it is not a desirable component in a toothpaste, and can cause damage and irritation to your mouth.
How does it whiten your teeth?
There are at least four different ways a toothpaste can make your teeth whiter: through abrasion, bleaching, enzymatic whitening and optical filtering. Aggressive abrasive whitening is not recommended, as it physically damages your teeth. Bleaching is achieved through a direct application of hydrogen peroxide in higher concentrations (above 30 %). While this can be fast and effective, it can also be very harmful – especially after prolonged use, so it is not recommended to administer such substances directly, whether that’s from toothpastes or bleaching gels. The best way to use the whitening power of hydrogen peroxide in a gentle and safe way, is via enzymatic whitening.
✅ Enzymatic whitening process is achieved through a set of enzymes in your toothpaste, that react with saliva and oxygen to naturally produce low levels of hydrogen peroxide. The levels are low enough to ensure long-term safety for your teeth, yet the combination of these enzymes and other agents work together to help dissolve the organic components that stain your teeth. Overall, it is a soft and gentle process that helps you achieve a brighter smile.
✅ Optical filters work a little like painting: a special inorganic compound sticks to your enamel and reflects a little more of the blue in light that naturally reaches your teeth. As a result, your teeth look whiter. It is perfectly safe and quite effective. If you want to have an instantly brighter smile, it’s the best choice for you, since the optical filter effect is visible right after the first brushing.
Last but not least – do you enjoy brushing your teeth?
The decision you make when choosing toothpaste affects the beauty and freshness of your smile, but more importantly, over time it also affects the overall health of your mouth. A toothpaste is in direct contact with our teeth, gums and tongue at least twice a day, after all.
It is important to choose a toothpaste that makes you feel good when you brush. Why? A toothpaste that is too harsh, or that has an unpleasant taste, will demotivate you from brushing, and may cause you to skip it. Frequent skipping of toothbrushing is a fast track to rapid tooth decay.
🛑 Do not ignore your own sensations. If a toothpaste has an unpleasant taste (too minty, too strong or causing weird aftertaste) – change it. Try to find something you like and that will motivate you to brush regularly.
✅ Long-lasting freshness is one of the key elements when it comes to how much you are likely to enjoy using a toothpaste. Try different types and find one that not only cleans and benefits your oral health, but also leaves you with a fresh feeling and confidence. You should definitely not worry about bad breath right after cleaning your teeth.
✅ Don’t be afraid of the sweet hints in our toothpastes: xylitol is harmless for your teeth and even has the power to destroy certain bacteria. Our toothpastes taste just as nice as juicy fruity desserts, but instead of desserts, they are safe to enjoy right before going to bed.
✅ At Curaprox, we’ve spent months formulating a unique palette of flavours for the ‘Be you’ line, so that everyone can pick an original taste of their own. Mint is not the only flavour in the world of toothpastes. Get your own sixpack (at least in toothpaste flavours 😉) and try some new exciting flavours. A fresher lime, a sweeter berry-like taste, or something completely exotic? You can even have a gin tonic experience before breakfast!.. of course, in the form of a toothpaste. Explore, and have fun!
Be you – your perfect toothpaste for gentle everyday whitening:
✅ Low abrasion index ~ 50 RDA
✅ Fluoride and hydroxyapatite to boost your body’s natural remineralization processes.
✅ Sweet taste safe for teeth thanks to xylitol.
✅ Vitamin B5 and powerful herbal extracts to keep your gums healthy and nourished.
✅ No SLS, microplastics, triclosan, or other potentially harmful ingredients that are often responsible for various dental health issues.
✅ A selection of vibrant flavours that you’ll love.
✅ Natural enzymes that gently restore your teeth to their natural white radiance.
✅ Does not alter the taste of food and drinks after use.