Tab or Toothpaste?

Published: April 19, 2022, 7 a.m.

With climate change being the issue it is, many people are seeking alternative packaging for health products that reduces their environmental footprint. One of these alternatives is toothpaste in tablet form. Today’s episode is centered around a listener's question of whether she should be using Bite tablets or Wellnesse toothpaste. We dive into the topic with Dr. B's appreciation for both brands, and why he is so grateful for the options that boutique brands are providing us with. We next move on to the pros and cons of tablets, such as the ingredients commonly used, whether or not they are broken down enough by chewing to impact our oral microbiome, and why they are sometimes more practical than toothpaste itself. We next hear about the pros and cons of toothpaste! Dr. B describes the necessary evils of toothpastes, why he prefers hydroxyapatite-based products, and why the premixing in a tube is potentially an advantage. So, to make an informed decision on your tooth-cleaning product, tune in today!


Key Points From This Episode:

  • An introduction to today’s topic, and why Dr. B had to go through his shed [0:00:19]
  • Today’s question: Which is better, Bite tablet or Wellenesse? [0:02:13]
  • The brands behind these two products, and Dr. B’s thoughts on their ethics [0:03:23]
  • Why Dr. B likes the concept of a tablet toothpaste, and the pros and cons [0:05:36]
  • The other ingredients that concern Dr. B, and the benefits of hydroxyapatite [0:10:25]
  • Why Dr. B doesn’t like products that foam too much [0:11:20]
  • Dr. B’s major concern around the Bite tablet: does chewing it break down the ingredients enough to thin the biofilm? [0:12:25]
  • The best aspect of the Bite tablet: the convenience [0:16:30]
  • Why necessary evils of toothpaste are still in use, and how boutique companies avoid them [0:18:05]
  • Testing toothpaste on your skin before using it in your mouth [0:23:53]
  • Comparing toothpaste to a tablet: the benefits of premixing [0:24:59]
  • A summary of Dr. B’s answer, and why he prefers toothpaste [0:26:08]
  • Why neither tablet nor toothpaste would be necessary if we had the perfect diet [0:27:59]
  • Dr. B’s appreciation for both Bite and Wellnesse as brands [0:29:36]
  • Why Dr. B is not against glycerin in toothpaste [0:31:08]


How to Submit Your Question:

Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/askthedentist 


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Why I Recommend You Wash Your Hands With Your Toothpaste

Bite 

Wellnesse Toothpastes

Ask the Dentist: DIY Probiotic Toothpaste

Ask the Dentist: DIY Kids’ Toothpaste

RiseWell Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

Boka Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

Assorted Articles from Ask the Dentist on Hydroxyapatite

Ask the Denti

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