One question I have about the Supersmile toothpaste is about the baking soda. I saw where someone else had also asked you about that. There is conflicting info on the web about whether you should use baking soda or not on veneers due to scratching.
You mention that there is no risk of that with the Supersmile. What makes it safe to use even though it has the baking soda? Is it just small amounts of the baking soda? Right now I’m just using Colgate total but would like to order the Supersmile to prevent stains from forming.
I’m torn on what to do. My cosmetic dentist doesn’t seem to be familiar with Supersmile but advises against using anything with baking soda. It seems to be a great product and you have listed a lot of other cosmetic dentist’s recommendations about it. Just want to make sure I make the right decision.
– Monica from Maryland
Monica,
This is one of the problems with the Internet – you get all kinds of information, good and bad.
I followed the links you provided, and tracked down some of their sources. There is not really a conflict here. They are quoting sources saying that straight baking soda is abrasive. That is true. But these sources are also saying that toothpastes that contain baking soda are fine. The one comment that said not to use toothpaste with baking soda on porcelain veneers was citing the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, but I looked at that original article and it said nothing about baking soda.
With one exception – this one dentist from Nebraska who has tips for taking care of veneers:
On his CARE TIPS list, he tells you to use a toothpaste with baking soda: “Use non-abrasive toothpaste or toothpaste with baking soda.”
But on his DO NOT list he says not to use a toothpaste with baking soda: Do NOT use abrasive tooth pastes such as ones with baking soda or “smoker’s” toothpaste.
So his information is contradictory. This is a case of someone with a website who either isn’t an expert or hasn’t proofread the content carefully enough.
Straight baking soda, in powder form, is abrasive. However, when the baking soda is dissolved in a toothpaste, it is no longer abrasive. One of the benefits of baking soda is that it is a buffer that fights the acids created by decay-producing bacteria.
Go with the experts. You have all these expert cosmetic dentists recommending Supersmile. Here’s the complete list of Supersmile testimonials. They don’t mention it, but Drs. Jeff Morley, George Freedman, and Jeff Golub-Evans are all past presidents of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. And then, as you can see, they also quote me. You may want to print that out and show it to your dentist and bring him or her up to speed on this.
Dr. Hall
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About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.
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