They’re definitely real, as long as you’re buying a product from a country that requires accurate labeling. Afaik, there’s no common fake HPA toothpastes you can buy at a store, even via amazon. Could be, but I haven’t run across it.
Effective? It seems to be. However, not all dental groups have given it support yet. That doesn’t mean it isn’t effective, it just means they don’t consider it a done deal, or haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Of equal import, it doesn’t seem to be more effective than sodium fluoride, and doesn’t have some of the extra benefit of stannous fluoride. Plus, it’s topical only. It won’t hurt you if swallowed, it just doesn’t do anything. Fluoride can be taken up via the digestive tract, HAP just breaks down in the stomach.
My take, after talking to my dentist and reading up, is that it isn’t worth paying extra for unless you have some specific reason you can’t use fluoride. If you can get it at the same price as your current toothpaste, fine. If you can’t, then it likely isn’t going to give you enough benefit to merit the extra at all
I really like it. I doubt it’s better than fluoride for caries prevention, just the same. But I do think it’s better than Sensodyne for reducing temperature sensitivity.
My anecdotal theory is that HPA must fill in micro gaps like Sensodyne to reduce sensitivity without yellowing my teeth.
The HPA toothpastes also typically don’t have SLS or as many irritating Ingredients like mint. I have fun flavours like orange, clove, or cinnamon. Mint is highly irritating, and I have noticed that since removing minty pastes, my lips don’t dry as much, and I need less lip chap. My gums and cheeks are less irritated too.
It almost feels like a conspiracy that most brand-name toothpastes contain something as irritating as mint just to sell more lip chap.
Lots of HPA toothpastes also use xylitol. Which can make the bacteria in your mouth lose the ability to create acids and adhere to your teeth over time. Your mouth stays cleaner longer and is less likely to feel “fuzzy”.
So I think the HPA toothpastes are more improved by what they don’t have, irritants, and use more modern ingredients than traditional toothpastes. For me it results in teeth that stay cleaner and smooth longer, fun flavours, low irritation and reducing sensitivity.
I’ve tried Remin, David’s, and a few others I can’t remember.
That all tracks for sure. Especially the xylitol part, some dentists will recommend it, particularly for people that have medical issues that play havoc with salivary ph or amounts.
I have tried it, because of the sensitivity stuff, but didn’t find it any different from stannous fluoride or potassium nitrate. I’ve also tried the phosphosilicate, “novamin”, with similar results for sensitivity.
Stannous fluoride ended up giving me the best results overall for my gums and other issues, so I’ve stuck with it for a while now. But they all seem to be effective, and safe under normal usage. So it isn’t like anyone can go wrong with them.
That’s a pretty good summary. It seems the most effective solution is just ditching the manual toothbrush for an automatic, that is going to brush much more effectively.
I remember reading a study from decades ago stating that electric toothbrushes are only more effective if you are a drinker. The impression it gave was that even while drunk the electric actuation made up for sloppily doing your teeth 😅.
I think I’ve been using an electric toothbrush for so long that I’m not good at using a manual anymore.
I also discovered that I press too hard and the electric toothbrushes that warn me when I apply too much pressure has been helpful in preventing gum recession from over brushing.
My dental health had also been improved by a portable waterpik. I add a little bit of mouth wash to it so the machine doesn’t fill with mould. I still floss every time, but the waterpik gets out food I’d never get out otherwise. I struggled with bleeding gums before that.
They’re definitely real, as long as you’re buying a product from a country that requires accurate labeling. Afaik, there’s no common fake HPA toothpastes you can buy at a store, even via amazon. Could be, but I haven’t run across it.
Effective? It seems to be. However, not all dental groups have given it support yet. That doesn’t mean it isn’t effective, it just means they don’t consider it a done deal, or haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Of equal import, it doesn’t seem to be more effective than sodium fluoride, and doesn’t have some of the extra benefit of stannous fluoride. Plus, it’s topical only. It won’t hurt you if swallowed, it just doesn’t do anything. Fluoride can be taken up via the digestive tract, HAP just breaks down in the stomach.
My take, after talking to my dentist and reading up, is that it isn’t worth paying extra for unless you have some specific reason you can’t use fluoride. If you can get it at the same price as your current toothpaste, fine. If you can’t, then it likely isn’t going to give you enough benefit to merit the extra at all
I really like it. I doubt it’s better than fluoride for caries prevention, just the same. But I do think it’s better than Sensodyne for reducing temperature sensitivity.
My anecdotal theory is that HPA must fill in micro gaps like Sensodyne to reduce sensitivity without yellowing my teeth.
The HPA toothpastes also typically don’t have SLS or as many irritating Ingredients like mint. I have fun flavours like orange, clove, or cinnamon. Mint is highly irritating, and I have noticed that since removing minty pastes, my lips don’t dry as much, and I need less lip chap. My gums and cheeks are less irritated too. It almost feels like a conspiracy that most brand-name toothpastes contain something as irritating as mint just to sell more lip chap.
Lots of HPA toothpastes also use xylitol. Which can make the bacteria in your mouth lose the ability to create acids and adhere to your teeth over time. Your mouth stays cleaner longer and is less likely to feel “fuzzy”.
So I think the HPA toothpastes are more improved by what they don’t have, irritants, and use more modern ingredients than traditional toothpastes. For me it results in teeth that stay cleaner and smooth longer, fun flavours, low irritation and reducing sensitivity.
I’ve tried Remin, David’s, and a few others I can’t remember.
That all tracks for sure. Especially the xylitol part, some dentists will recommend it, particularly for people that have medical issues that play havoc with salivary ph or amounts.
I have tried it, because of the sensitivity stuff, but didn’t find it any different from stannous fluoride or potassium nitrate. I’ve also tried the phosphosilicate, “novamin”, with similar results for sensitivity.
Stannous fluoride ended up giving me the best results overall for my gums and other issues, so I’ve stuck with it for a while now. But they all seem to be effective, and safe under normal usage. So it isn’t like anyone can go wrong with them.
That’s a pretty good summary. It seems the most effective solution is just ditching the manual toothbrush for an automatic, that is going to brush much more effectively.
I remember reading a study from decades ago stating that electric toothbrushes are only more effective if you are a drinker. The impression it gave was that even while drunk the electric actuation made up for sloppily doing your teeth 😅.
I think I’ve been using an electric toothbrush for so long that I’m not good at using a manual anymore.
I also discovered that I press too hard and the electric toothbrushes that warn me when I apply too much pressure has been helpful in preventing gum recession from over brushing.
My dental health had also been improved by a portable waterpik. I add a little bit of mouth wash to it so the machine doesn’t fill with mould. I still floss every time, but the waterpik gets out food I’d never get out otherwise. I struggled with bleeding gums before that.
That’s essentially what my dentist said :)