Five Wrong Ways to Use Toothpaste Can Harm Your Health
Using Too Much Toothpaste May Induce Oral Cancer
Several active ingredients in toothpaste are concerning. The chemical "Sodium Lauryl Sulfate," widely used in toothpaste, is believed to potentially cause gastrointestinal diseases and liver poisoning; it can also make the oral cavity more prone to ulcers and oral cancer. The abrasives in toothpaste are also thought to damage gums, making them more susceptible to harm. Therefore, do not squeeze too much toothpaste when brushing.
Improper Use of Fluoride Toothpaste Can Cause Dental Fluorosis
Today, the cavity-prevention effects of fluoride toothpaste are widely known, and when it comes to oral care, fluoride toothpaste is often the first thing that comes to mind. However, experts point out that while fluoride toothpaste is effective in preventing cavities, it also has side effects, and improper use can lead to dental fluorosis. The line between fluoride's cavity-preventing effects and its toxicity is very narrow. Excessive fluoride intake can cause spots on teeth, which is dental fluorosis, and most patients are children. This is because children have imperfect swallowing control and are more likely to accidentally swallow fluoride toothpaste while brushing, leading to increased fluoride intake. Because toothpaste generally comes with no usage instructions, target users, or dosage guidelines, it's common for both adults and children to share the same kind of toothpaste, and there's also the phenomenon, as seen in TV commercials, of squeezing toothpaste until the brush is full.
Experts remind consumers that when using fluoride toothpaste, it's best not to use more than 1 centimeter per application. Children should preferably not use fluoride toothpaste, or use it cautiously under parental guidance. At the same time, fluoride is a highly toxic substance; excessive absorption by the human body can cause fluorosis. National regulations stipulate that the free fluoride in fluoridated toothpaste should be between 400-1200 PPM. It is especially important to note that children aged 3-4 and under should not use fluoride toothpaste, as 1/8 to 1/4 of the toothpaste may be swallowed by them.
Using the Same Toothpaste in the Morning and Night is Detrimental to Oral Health
Dental experts have suggested that toothpaste products should be alternated according to seasonal and physical changes, and one should not continuously use the same brand or product with the same function. In advanced countries in Europe and America, more than 80% of consumers use separate toothpastes for morning and night, and they also have the habit of regular dental check-ups. Research shows that most oral problems are caused by bacteria. The saliva secreted by the human body has a natural antibacterial function. However, saliva secretion during the day is 3-4 times that at night, making it easier to inhibit bacterial growth. When a person is asleep, the salivary glands secrete insufficiently, the mouth becomes dry, leading to oral acidification, which fails to inhibit bacterial reproduction, thereby causing various oral problems.
Medicated Toothpaste Should Not Be Used Long-Term
Currently, a wide variety of medicated toothpastes for desensitization, anti-inflammatory care, and halitosis/bleeding control have emerged, with their advertising campaigns everywhere. Many people have come to see medicated toothpaste as a panacea for preventing and treating oral diseases, using it regardless of whether they have dental problems. This practice is inappropriate. Bacteria in the mouth are divided into two categories: pathogenic and non-pathogenic. They restrain each other, maintaining an "ecological balance" in the oral cavity. Long-term use of strong bactericidal medicated toothpaste not only causes pathogenic bacteria in the mouth to develop drug resistance, but also inhibits and kills the normal flora in the mouth while suppressing and killing pathogenic bacteria. This disrupts the "ecological balance" in the mouth, leading to new oral diseases and infections.
In addition, some medicated toothpastes contain alkaloids and highly irritating substances. Long-term use can damage the delicate mucous membranes in the mouth, and due to continuous stimulation, it can cause inflammation of the gums, mouth, and tongue, leading to gingivitis, stomatitis, glossitis, etc. People with allergic asthma and cough may experience coughing, gastrointestinal discomfort, and other issues due to the irritating odor of medicated toothpaste. Some medicated toothpastes also contain coloring agents, and long-term use can stain tooth surfaces, causing teeth to lose their luster and affecting their appearance.
Expert's Friendly Reminder: For people with oral diseases, it is best to alternate between fluoride toothpaste and medicated toothpaste. For example, for middle-aged and elderly patients who have both cavities and periodontal disease, it is better to use a fluoridated product and a Chinese herbal product in the morning and evening. For patients whose teeth are sensitive to cold and heat, it is best to choose an anti-dentin hypersensitivity, anti-acid product to use in conjunction with a regular fluoridated product.
Children Should Not Use High-Foaming Toothpaste
Children should not use high-foaming toothpaste. Toothpaste is divided into three types: high-foam, medium-foam, and low-foam. The amount of foam depends on its soap content. High-foam toothpaste has a higher soap content and can easily irritate the oral mucosa in the mouth.
Related Content Expansion: Measures to Prevent Oral Cancer
1. Avoid unnecessary prolonged exposure to light to prevent lip cancer.
2. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
3. Patients with dentures should seek medical attention promptly if they experience pain or inflammation in the tissues under the denture. Strive for early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment of cancer, and adhere to regular check-ups.
4. Maintain a balanced diet with a mix of coarse and fine grains, reasonable nutrition, and avoid drinking or eating excessively hot water and food to prevent irritation of oral tissues.
5. Extract any residual roots or crowns of teeth (unrestorable teeth), wear well-fitting dentures that do not irritate tissues.
6. Develop good oral hygiene habits, brush teeth regularly. Pay attention to balanced nutrition, strive to quit smoking and alcohol, treat residual roots and crowns promptly, and remove irritating factors.