Aunt Lin walked into the supermarket next to the community with her shopping basket, and she couldn't help but stop in front of the dazzling toothpaste shelves. Rows of colorful toothpastes in different packages made her feel a little lost.
Just as he was hesitating, a familiar voice came from the side of the shelf next to him: "Isn't this Sister Lin?" You're going to buy toothpaste, too? "It turned out to be Uncle Zhao, an old neighbor for many years, who was also holding two different brands of toothpaste in his hand, and his brows were tightly locked."
Uncle Zhao, you're also in trouble, aren't you? Now there are too many types of toothpaste, and the price ranges from a few dollars to dozens or hundreds, and I don't know how to choose. Aunt Lin sighed and expressed the confusion in her heart.
Uncle Zhao nodded in agreement, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes: "It's not, I also saw the news yesterday that some toothpaste ingredients may not be good for the body, and even have the risk of causing cancer." Health is the most important thing at our age, and it's a shame to choose the wrong thing.
What is the difference between 01.5 yuan and 25 yuan toothpaste?
Ingredients and raw materials: The higher price of 25 yuan toothpaste tends to use better quality raw materials, such as natural plant extracts, precious minerals, etc. These ingredients are often considered to be more beneficial for teeth and oral health, providing additional protection.
On the other hand, $5 toothpaste may use a common ingredient with lower cost, and although it can also complete basic cleaning tasks, it may be less effective in improving oral health.
Additional features: 25 yuan toothpaste is often advertised as having additional features such as whitening, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and hemostasis, and these additional functional ingredients are one of the reasons for its higher price. A 5 yuan toothpaste may only provide basic cleaning functions and rarely emphasize or include these special effects.
Brand vs. Packaging: Branding is also an important factor in price differentials. The price of toothpaste of well-known brands is often higher than that of ordinary brands due to the brand premium, advertising costs and exquisite packaging design.
A $25 toothpaste may have a higher level of trust and recognition from consumers due to a larger brand influence, while a $5 toothpaste may come from a smaller brand or a product with no brand effect.
Market positioning: Price differences reflect different market positioning. The 25 yuan toothpaste is aimed at consumers who pursue a high quality of life and are willing to pay for additional health benefits; The $5 toothpaste, on the other hand, may be aimed at users who are on a budget and are only looking for basic oral hygiene needs.
Psychological factors: Some consumers believe that high price equals high quality, and are willing to pay more to gain psychological satisfaction and trust in the effect of the product. The basic function of toothpaste is to clean the mouth, and the additional benefits of high-priced toothpaste are sometimes more part of commercial marketing and do not necessarily lead to substantial health improvements.
02. Some toothpastes contain ingredients that may be harmful to health
Triclosan: Triclosan is a widely used broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent commonly found in a variety of personal care products such as toothpaste, hand sanitizer, soap, and more. Interfering with the cell wall synthesis of bacteria exerts an antimicrobial effect. Several studies have pointed to the possible health risks of triclosan.
Endocrine disruption: triclosan may interfere with the normal functioning of the body's endocrine system and affect hormone balance, such as thyroid hormone levels, which may cause metabolic abnormalities and neurodevelopmental problems.
Microbial ecological imbalance: Long-term use of triclosan-containing toothpaste may disrupt the balance of the microbial community in the mouth and even the intestines, affecting human immunity and digestive health.
Potential carcinogenicity: Although direct evidence is not sufficient, studies have shown that triclosan is associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly as a byproduct of its possible reaction with other chemicals.
Titanium dioxide: Titanium dioxide is a commonly used food and cosmetic additive, and it is also found in toothpaste, mainly for whitening effects.
Intestinal effects: Animal experiments have shown that long-term intake of high concentrations of nano-sized titanium dioxide may cause intestinal mucosal damage, and some studies have found that about 40% of experimental animals have precancerous lesions of the intestinal mucosa.
Bioaccumulation: Although titanium dioxide is not absorbed in the human body, long-term use of products containing this ingredient may still cause accumulation in the body, and its long-term effects need to be further studied.
Benzalkonium chloride: Benzalkonium chloride is an antimicrobial compound commonly used in disinfectants and some toothpastes to prevent bacterial growth.
Skin and mucosal irritation: Long-term exposure may cause dryness, redness, or irritation of the skin, and in individuals with sensitive oral mucosa, may cause oral inflammation.
Intestinal inflammation and tumor risk: Animal studies have shown that long-term exposure to low-dose benzalkonium chloride may exacerbate colon inflammation and increase the risk of colon tumors, suggesting possible negative effects on gut health.
03. How to choose toothpaste
Check the ingredient list: Prefer toothpastes with simple ingredients that do not contain potentially risky substances. Avoid products containing triclosan, high concentrations of titanium dioxide and benzalkonium chloride. If there are chemicals in the ingredient list that you're not familiar with, consider looking for information or consulting a professional.
Focus on basic needs: Basic toothpaste should contain fluoride. Fluoride strengthens the tooth surface and is an important ingredient in oral hygiene. Make sure that the fluoride content in the toothpaste is moderate, and the recommended fluoride concentration for adult toothpaste is 1000ppm to 1500ppm.
Certification & Brand Credibility: Choose a well-known brand of toothpaste, and pay attention to whether it has been certified by an authoritative organization, such a product has undergone rigorous quality and safety testing.
Avoid unnecessary additives: Try to avoid toothpastes that contain artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners that may cause irritation or discomfort in some people.
Choosing toothpaste is like choosing a partner in life, you don't have to be the most expensive, but you need the most suitable. Let every brushing of teeth not only be a cleaning process, but also a care and investment in your own health.
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