[bumby]

Some toothpaste can be a net-negative, like those with abrasives. It's actually the mechanical aspect of brushing that does most of the hygiene. Frothing and minty taste of toothpaste are mostly marketing. Maybe there's a case for fluoride, but there are other sources like tap water (and that's a whole digression of it's own).

[Sohcahtoa82]

> Some toothpaste can be a net-negative, like those with abrasives

Yup. Those toothpastes with extra whitening are wreaking havoc. It's effectively liquid sandpaper.

> Frothing and minty taste of toothpaste are mostly marketing

The frothing, sure. The mint? I mean, I like some kind of flavoring. Mint is nice.

> Maybe there's a case for fluoride, but there are other sources like tap water (and that's a whole digression of it's own).

There's definitely a case for the fluoride. Your tap water isn't enough.

[bumby]

>The mint? I mean, I like some kind of flavoring. Mint is nice.

I’m saying it’s a subjective nice, it’s not adding to the hygienic effect of toothpaste. Its was added to feel clean, not because it actually does any cleaning.

Fluoride works, but the concentration in toothpaste is usually too low to be effective.

[cactusplant7374]

Mostly marketing or people actually enjoy these things and they encourage good oral hygiene?

[bumby]

I guess, yes, from a behavioral change standpoint they’re effective, even if they don’t objectively contribute to hygiene themselves.

[mauvehaus]

Those of us on well water don't get fluoride in our drinking water.

[bumby]

Hopefully you get it from a dentist visit because unless you use a prescription toothpaste, it probably doesn’t have much effect.

[mauvehaus]

How does the effectiveness compare of a twice yearly dosing at the dentist vs constant low-level exposure via municipal water?

My (very) lay understanding is that the constant low level fluoride was what's important for long-term dental health.