Are patients using too much toothpaste?
Recent media coverage has renewed attention on a longstanding issue in patient oral hygiene habits: excessive toothpaste use during brushing. Despite ongoing professional guidance, many patients continue to associate a large amount of toothpaste with effective cleaning — an assumption that dental professionals say warrants continued education.
While fluoride remains essential in caries prevention, experts noted that brushing technique and mechanical plaque removal are more critical to oral health outcomes than the volume of toothpaste used. Excess toothpaste can contribute to over-foaming, which may mask early signs of gingival inflammation and give patients a false sense of thorough cleaning.
Fridus van der Weijden, D.D.S., a noted researcher in periodontology, commented on the role of surfactants in creating an illusion of cleanliness.
“Toothpastes have surfactants, which makes your teeth feel smooth, so you have an almost immediate sensation that you’ve cleaned your teeth when probably you haven’t done a good job,” he said.
Dental professionals are encouraged to continue educating patients on proper brushing habits, recognizing that even common routines are often performed incorrectly.
Read more: TODAY
The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.