Do You Really Need to Use Toothpaste?

Toothpaste makes your mouth feel minty fresh when you need it most, whether you’ve just woken up with a bad case of morning breath or eaten a giant bowl of garlicky pasta. But while toothpaste may cover up those unpleasant odors, some argue that it’s actually not essential for maintaining good oral hygiene. There are dentists out there who claim that you can keep your teeth perfectly healthy without using any toothpaste at all. If you’re wondering why and whether you can stop using toothpaste, here’s what you should know.

It’s Mainly About Brushing

The single most important thing you can do to maintain good oral hygiene is to brush your teeth. This physical scrubbing is more important than using toothpaste or water, as the simple act of brushing is good enough to dislodge most plaque and food residue. Of course, something is refreshing about walking out of the bathroom with a minty mouth, but some would argue that sensation is largely superficial. That being said, there are some people for whom toothpaste burns their mouth or tastes terrible. If you’re one of those people, you can still get a good enough clean if you brush twice daily for two minutes each time, even without toothpaste.

The Importance of Using Fluoride

While people will continue to argue over whether or not toothpaste is important, nearly everyone can agree on how essential it is to use fluoride. Fluoride helps remineralize teeth, coats them with acid-resistant protective layers, and prevents oral bacteria from forming and multiplying. There’s also a direct correlation between the use of fluoride and developing fewer cavities, as those who never use fluoride are more susceptible to this common dental affliction.

Most people get fluoride by using fluoridated toothpaste, but that’s not the only way. An excellent alternative is fluoridated mouthwash, which coats the teeth with fluoride every time you swish it around. This would theoretically suggest that fluoride toothpastes aren’t necessary so long as you use fluoride mouthwash, but that belief isn’t backed by a study, so it’s best to proceed with some level of skepticism.

Toothpaste Is Expensive

Dental health aside, there’s a financial reason to stop using toothpaste. Between 2022 and 2023, the cost of a single tube of toothpaste increased by a whopping 45% on average, which reflects the general inflation that so many Americans are suffering from. While that increase only amounts to about a dollar per tube, that money can add up if you’re on a tight budget or trying to provide toothpaste for a large family.

Why You Should Keep Using Toothpaste

At the end of the day, the belief that you can stop using toothpaste isn’t backed by any reputable scientific study. Remember that even if toothpaste is “useless,” as the arguments suggest, it will still not harm you if you keep using it. In fact, if anything, it will help, as most dentists still recommend using toothpaste, assuming it doesn’t burn your mouth or isn’t cost-prohibitive.

According to a recent study, the development of toothpaste over time correlates with a stark decrease in cavities and other dental affiliations — whether that’s more because of the fluoride many toothpastes contain is up for debate. But many toothpastes also contain helpful ingredients, such as abrasive substances to tackle plaque and phosphates to provide extra minerals. Also, toothpaste will make your mouth smell better before that hot date or important work meeting, so don’t give up on it. For more information about how to brush your teeth properly, consult our helpful guide.

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