Ask the Colgate experts a question
We've collected some of the most frequently asked questions to Colgate.
Please click on the questions below to reveal the answer.
Question: How do I prevent bad breath?
Answer: Bad breath can have many causes such as smoking, gum disease, foods and drinks or gastric reflux. Thorough daily cleaning including brushing the tongue is the best defence against bad breath. Choose a brush with a tongue cleaner such as Colgate 360. Use sugar free gum to freshen your breath but avoid mints as these can cause tooth decay is used frequently. If bad breath persists see your dental professional to help identify the cause and find solutions.
Question: How do I keep my teeth white?
Answer: There is increased interest in tooth whitening and many whitening products are available. Some products work by removing the stains that build up on the outside of teeth from smoking or drinking tea, coffee or red wine. This is the kind of stain that most whitening toothpastes remove. Other products contain peroxide and lighten the colour of the tooth itself. New whitening products are becoming available in pharmacies and supermarkets. For best result consult your dental professional.
Question: Why do my gums bleed when I brush or floss my teeth?
Answer: This can happen in the early stages of gingivitis which is an inflammation of the gums. It is very common ad most people will have at least mild temporary inflammation on some part of their gums at sometime. Attention to brushing and flossing can reverse this. Make sure you brush thoroughly twice a day and use floss and rinse to reduce plaque build up along the gums that causes the inflammation.
Question: Why do I get cavities?
Answer: Tooth decay is the result of loss of minerals from enamel and dentine. A white spot on the tooth near the gums may be an early sign of loss of minerals. At the early stage minerals can be replaced with the help of fluoride. If minerals continue to be lost, a hole (cavity) forms in the tooth and a filling is needed to repair the damage.
Fluoride protection against tooth decay is required throughout life. Using fluoride toothpaste twice a day is one of the most proven ways to prevent decay. Fluoride makes teeth more resistant to the acids produced after eating or drinking. Studies have shown that brushing twice a day with fluoride paste is more effective in preventing tooth decay than brushing only once a day.
Question: Why do I need to floss if I brush regularly?
Answer: Floss is the best tool to clean between the teeth where a toothbrush can't reach. If flossing proves difficult, aids such as floss holders, interdental brushes and tooth picks may help.
Question: Why do children need different toothpaste?
Answer: Children under the age of 6 tend to swallow rather than spit out excess toothpaste, therefore they need to use a low fluoride toothpaste such as Colgate Sparkling Mint Gel 2-6. This contains 400ppm fluoride whereas most adult toothpastes can vary from 1000ppm - 1450 ppm. Colgate's children's toothpastes were developed with leading dental professionals for use in children under 6 and in line with the ADA guidelines. After the age of 6, children should use a toothpaste with more fluoride such as Colgate Sparkling Mint Gel 6+ which contains 1000ppm. Only a pea sized amount is necessary and all toothpaste should be stored out of reach of children.
Ask your own question:
