Prestige beauty is a billion-dollar-a-year industry around the world. People want to feel like they’re getting something special, and thus are willing to spend a little more for products they perceive as more luxurious or ‘status.’ With a renewed focus on the smile on places like social media, many luxury brands are getting into the toothpaste and oral healthcare market.
Prestige toothpaste often boasts things you can’t always get from your regular grocery store toothpaste. For example, some brands have inventive flavors like apple cinnamon, vanilla, and even jasmine. For those of us who don’t love mint, these fun flavors can feel like a luxury. Other brands contain different ingredients, such as charcoal, which is said to whiten, and hydroxyapatite, a replacement for fluoride that shows promise in preventing cavities but has not been well-studied.
Unfortunately, in the case of hydroxyapatite and charcoal, therein lies the problem. Some of these ingredients aren’t proven, and may not help teeth. In fact, charcoal has been found to be abrasive to teeth and can actually scratch the enamel.
Other issues with designer pastes is that some don’t contain any cavity preventatives at all, another move dentists caution against. Fluoride has been proven to reduce cavities in numerous studies. It’s also been proven safe in small quantities, and as long as you aren’t swallowing your toothpaste and only using the recommended amount (a pea-sized dollop) you have no need to worry about consuming too much.
As for how designer pastes stack up cost-wise against traditional pastes, designer brands tend to come with a higher price point, too. While most over-the-counter pastes at your local discount store are under five dollars, designer pastes can start at ten dollars and go up from there.
So, what’s the bottom line on designer pastes? Are they worth the investment? Are they good for you?
Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not your paste is worth the investment. The higher price point for a paste that may not protect your teeth may raise a few eyebrows, but for those looking for a natural paste, they may be worth the splurge. If you are at all concerned or have questions about your paste, speak to Dr. Abelar, and check the tube for the ADA seal of approval.
