• Dentists say that same contains abrasives which scratch teeth/enamel; instead call for fluoride-toothpaste use
• Tooth decay present among 63% preschoolers; 90% 35-44-yr. adults 

Although tooth-whitening toothpastes are becoming more commonly used, they should be avoided entirely as they scratch the teeth, which is significantly harmful to dental health.

Dental experts made this observation during a press briefing held by the Health Ministry’s Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) yesterday (13), where it was stressed that the use of fluoride-containing toothpaste should be promoted among the public, especially given the high rate of tooth decay in Sri Lanka. The HPB’s Community Dental Specialist Dr. Shanika Mututanthri noted that tooth decay is present among around 63% of preschool children and around 90% of adults between the ages of 35 and 44. She explained that tooth decay is a very common condition, and that fluoride is the only substance proven to prevent it, which is why its use must be encouraged. While many countries have increased fluoride use through fluoride-containing toothpaste, water, and milk, she said that in Sri Lanka, the only available method is fluoride-containing toothpaste.

Regarding tooth-whitening toothpaste, she said: “Many tooth-whitening toothpastes contain abrasives that scratch teeth. Although this may make teeth look temporarily whiter, in most cases, what actually happens is that the enamel gets scratched. Tooth-whitening toothpaste should be avoided entirely, and people should focus on keeping their teeth clean rather than worrying about their colour.”

Meanwhile, the Family Health Bureau’s Community Dental Specialist Dr. Nimali Wellappuli said that according to the findings of the last National Oral Health Survey conducted in 2015–2016, around 63% of five-year-old children have early childhood caries. She added that the FHB’s 2023 review (conducted last year) found that around 57.3% of Grade One children have tooth decay.