Toothpaste can "promote tooth growth" and "fill tooth cavities"? National Medical Products Administration: Don't believe it!

Recently, some so-called toothpaste products sold on the market claim to have the effects of "promoting teeth growth in children", "repairing tooth cavities", "closing tooth gaps", "stabilizing loose teeth", and even "regenerating teeth". In response to this, the State Food and Drug Administration issued a document on July 5 titled "Toothpaste is not a magic tool for "promoting tooth growth" or "filling tooth cavities"," pointing out that toothpaste is not a medicine, cannot treat diseases, and does not have the above-mentioned effects.

The main raw material of toothpaste is abrasive. When brushing teeth, the abrasive in toothpaste rubs on the surface of teeth through the bristles of the toothbrush to achieve the effect of cleaning and removing tooth stains. With the innovation of toothpaste technology, adding corresponding functional ingredients to ordinary toothpaste can make the toothpaste have corresponding functions, such as adding fluoride can play a certain anti-caries effect.

"But it should be noted that no toothpaste can cure oral diseases," the State Food and Drug Administration emphasized.

People only have two sets of teeth in their lifetime - deciduous teeth and permanent teeth. Generally, deciduous teeth begin to erupt at around 6 months of age, and all deciduous teeth erupt at around 2.5 to 3 years old. At around 6 years old, deciduous teeth begin to fall out physiologically, and permanent teeth replace them. At around 12 years old, all deciduous teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, forming the permanent dentition.

The National Medical Products Administration pointed out that no matter what the cause of permanent tooth loss or damage, they cannot be regenerated. There is no scientific evidence that brushing teeth with toothpaste can affect the eruption of deciduous teeth, let alone regenerate permanent teeth after they fall out.

For the common oral disease - dental caries (i.e. dental caries), many people hope that their teeth can regenerate after dental caries (cavities). In this regard, the State Food and Drug Administration reminds that in the early stages of dental caries, the enamel surface begins to demineralize, and the development of dental caries is irreversible.

"Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste can enhance your teeth's resistance to caries, but it cannot reverse the progression of caries. Moreover, long-term gum disease leads to the destruction of gum tissue, which in turn causes loose teeth, requiring professional oral examination, diagnosis and treatment. The so-called "repairing cavities," "closing gaps between teeth," and "stabilizing loose teeth" by brushing your teeth with toothpaste has no scientific basis," the State Food and Drug Administration pointed out.

The State Food and Drug Administration reminds that oral diseases such as caries should be prevented first. It is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene and eating habits, have regular oral examinations, choose toothpaste products rationally, and do not believe in false claims that toothpaste can treat oral diseases.

Source: Guangming Daily Omnimedia reporter Chen Haibo

Editor: Wang Zimo

Editor: Chang Ying, Wu Yaqi, Wang Yuanfang