What Your Patients are Saying About: AP24 Toothpaste
If you're on social media at all, you've probably seen the posts- the ones with amazing whitening results after a few days of using a new unnamed toothpaste. Let's dig in a bit more on this new product that so many people were talking about and selling through social media.
1. AP 24 toothpaste is from a company called Nuskin, a multilevel marketing company that sells different skin care products. People sign up to be a distributor of the products then do their own promoting of them. That is definitely why it grew so fast on social media since individuals would make their own claims and take their own photos and it caught on to others.
2. If you're wondering what's the deal with the toothpaste and if it actually will live up to it's claims, look at the ingredients. Here is a breakout of each ingredient and what it is used for:
Sodium Monofluorophosphate- fluoride to help protect enamel
Water- prevents drying of product
Hydrated Silica- tasteless, white, gelatinous substance that has a slight abrasiveness
Sorbitol- sugar substitute for flavor
Alumina- slight abrasive
Glycerin- prevents drying of product, can contribute to a flavor-extending effect, helps with preservation
Tetrasodium- tarter control agent removing calcium and magnesium from saliva
Pyrophosphate- emulsifier and thickening agent
PEG-12- mild abrasive, prevent water loss and acts as a stabilizer for the product
Dimethicone- antifoaming agent
Poloxamer 338- surfactant
Poloxamer 407- surfactant
Cellulose Gum- thickener
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- foaming agent
Flavor (Aroma)- taste
Sodium Saccharin- artificial sweetener for taste
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)- coloring to make the product white
As you can see, there isn't an actual whitening ingredient in this paste like a baking soda or a hydrogen peroxide. So the whitening claims are a little fishy to me.
3. From the Nuskin fact sheet, the AP24 toothpaste as an RDA of 70-80. Studies have shown that toothpastes under an RDA value of 250 are acceptable to use. Based on the abrasiveness, this toothpaste is safe to use.
4. The paste is very similar to other over the counter toothpastes but has a higher $20 price tag. We've had patient's swear by it and it has helped their gingivitis because they will use it! One patient reported that since they spent $20 on a toothpaste, they were definitely going to use it all. Hey, whatever to help our patients keep up with their home care!
Since social media isn't going anywhere anytime soon, a new dental fad will probably pop up in a few months. And when you see it, don't be shy to dig a little deeper on the claims that are being made. Doing a little research will help you become the best hygienist and be able to accurately educate your patients on safe and healthy oral hygiene practices.
Have you tried the AP24 toothpaste? What was your experience? What have you patients been saying about it?