In today’s society, there are many variations of toothpaste available to consumers, and finding the right one can be a daunting task. Every individual has different needs when it comes to oral health and dental hygiene, so find the most suitable product is important.
Many of us are familiar with the traditional white paste toothpastes that have been around since the invention of toothpaste. However, there is a new option on the market known as gel toothpaste. Both types of toothpaste offer similar benefits to our oral health, but differ greatly in their appearance, texture and composition. Each also has its own set of advantages and disadvantages when it comes to cleaning and caring for our teeth.
In the rest of this article, we will explore the difference between the two types of toothpaste and give you tips on selecting the toothpaste that is best suited for your individual needs.
Similarities Between Gel and Paste
In terms of ingredients, both types of toothpaste contain many of the same ingredients including water, abrasives, flavouring agents, as well as fluoride, the all-important ingredient that strengthens the tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay.
Both the gel and paste toothpaste are also available in a variety of flavors and formulations to cater to different preferences and needs. For example, both types of toothpaste may be available in varieties for sensitive teeth, whitening, or cavity protection. They may also both contain additional ingredients such as baking soda or essential oils to enhance their effectiveness or taste.
Differences Between Gel and Paste
Both work well to improve your oral health, but are several notable differences between the two. One of the most noticeable difference is the appearance of the two. The gel toothpaste is clear or translucent while the paste toothpaste is opaque. This is primarily due to the fact that the former contains more humectants, which is a substance that retains moisture and prevent dryness. With a high concentration of humectant, gel toothpaste maintains a gel-like texture whereas paste toothpaste as a denser consistency.
The second difference between the two is the texture. Gel toothpaste has a smoother consistency which makes it easier to spread evenly over the teeth and gums. On the other hand, paste toothpaste has a thick and gritty consistency which makes it more effective at scrubbing away stains and plaque on the surface of the teeth enamel; the grittiness of the paste toothpaste is attributed to the presence of abrasive agents such as magnesium carbonate and dehydrated silica gels.
Thirdly, the two type of toothpaste different in the taste. Toothpaste in its paste form contains a higher concentration of flavoring agents to add a mintier after taste. Sorbitol and saccharin are two of the most commonly used flavoring agents in toothpaste.
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Last but not least, paste toothpaste produces more foam as compared to gel toothpaste. This is due to the fact that the former has a higher concentration of surfactant, a foaming agent that provides the foamy action and allows the toothpaste to coat the teeth; Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the most commonly used foaming agent in toothpaste products.
As seen, a gel based toothpaste has less abrasive agents, flavoring agents, and foams less. This makes it a better option for children as well as people who suffer from enamel defect or dentin hypersensitivity.
Which Is More Effective?
Most people believe that the paste form is more effective at improving your oral health as it has a grittier texture and produces more foam than its gel counterpart. This is not true at all.
In general, a toothpaste with a higher concentration of abrasive agents would be more effective at removing surface stains. However, that does not determine if a toothpaste is better or more effective at removing surface stains or keeping your teeth healthy. A gel toothpaste can clean as well as its paste form as it ultimately depends on good, proper brushing technique to do its job of improving one’s oral health.
There is not such thing as a more effective toothpaste but only a more effective brushing technique.
Which Should You Choose?
The choosing of a gel or paste toothpaste is nothing more than personal preference; some prefer the foaming action of the paste while others prefer the less minty and less foamy gel toothpaste.
Over the paste few decades, many have grown accustomed to a paste based toothpaste as the foaming action and grittiness of it gives a false sense of security and cleanliness. However, as mentioned above, both types of toothpaste can do equally well at improving your oral health.
If you are someone who is suffering from sensitive teeth, a gel toothpaste would be a preferred option as it contains less abrasives and surfactant, making it a less irritating product than the paste. If you are indifferent between the two and are more concern with the price, just pick the one on sale!
To conclude, both gel and paste toothpaste have their pros and cons. Gel is less of a traditional toothpaste due to the lack of grittiness and and foaminess. Both types of toothpaste are equally effective at cleaning teeth, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Regardless of whether you choose gel or paste toothpaste, it is important to use it properly and regularly to maintain good oral health, including brushing twice a day for at least two minutes each time, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.
