What is Salt Toothpaste?

Dental advancements have created oral hygiene products of every shape and form. Whereas we once had maybe a dozen types of toothpaste from which to choose, and this was mostly just brands, today there are hundreds of different toothpastes lining the shelves at grocery and drug stores.

While most people are already familiar with “whitening” toothpastes, not many have heard of “salt” toothpastes, but they are becoming more and more popular with every passing day. The thought of brushing your teeth with a salt-flavored toothpaste is probably not all that appealing to most, but the truth is you are probably already using a toothpaste that fits into this category.

Salt Toothpaste Ingredients

Much as you may have already surmised, the key ingredient in most salt toothpastes is sodium chloride, commonly referred to as table salt. However, other toothpastes in this category may already be on you bathroom sink. Sodium bicarbonate is also a salt, and it is the key ingredient in what we know as "baking soda" toothpastes.

What some of these toothpastes don’t have is fluoride (which also happens to be a type of salt). Before a toothpaste can get the stamp of approval by the ADA, it MUST have fluoride, so make sure you are label checker if you want an approved toothpaste.

How to Use Salt Toothpastes

The only difference from using a salt toothpaste than a regular fluoride toothpaste is in how it is applied to the brush. For regular fluoride toothpastes, it is recommended that you wet the toothbrush before applying the toothpaste. When using a salt toothpaste, the brush should be left dry, as wetting it may cause the toothpaste to slip off the brush.

Does Salt Toothpaste Help?

In one word… yes. Salt stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth. From our previous postings, you should know saliva products helps prevent bacterial growth in your mouth that can lead to tooth decay. It can also help to reduce gum inflammation, thereby reducing the risk of experiencing symptoms of gingivitis.

Because your teeth may have specific needs, we highly recommend discussing any change from your normal routine with your dentist. He or she will be able to help you pick the best toothpaste for your specific oral care needs.

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