Does It Matter What Toothpaste You Use?

In this poll, we asked dentists: Does it matter what type of toothpaste you use?

Consumers take note! Most dentists say that which type of toothpaste you use makes a difference to your oral health. Two-thirds of the dentists in our poll responded, "Yes; thanks to modern technology, some toothpastes are more effective than others." The remaining 35% replied, "No; any toothpaste you buy today will clean your teeth perfectly well."

There was little difference between general dentists and specialists on the issue. 67% of general dentists agreed on brand and ingredients importance, while 61% of specialists said yes.

Location was somewhat correlated with dentists' opinions about toothpaste. Rural dentists were least likely to believe that it matters which type of toothpaste you use.

Gender differences were fairly significant. As the sample of female dentists was not large, this result may not be statistically significant. On the other hand, it could indicate a fundamental difference between male and female dentists in how they respond to marketing and/or technology.

This may suggest that women are more likely than men to choose cosmetic dentistry as their area of specialty.

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