Duraphat

What is Duraphat toothpaste?

Duraphat toothpaste is a fluoride toothpaste designed to prevent tooth decay, dental caries, and cavities. This minty fresh toothpaste contains higher levels of fluoride than regular toothpaste, making it ideal for those who are more vulnerable to tooth decay. Use this toothpaste after every meal to clean and protect your teeth from plaque acids, giving your teeth time to strengthen and remineralise their protective enamel.

How to use this fluoride toothpaste

Apply a 2cm ribbon of Duraphat toothpaste to your toothbrush and brush just as you would with any other toothpaste. Brush three times a day, once after every meal. Spit out any excess foam and don’t swallow it. Brush for 2 minutes at a time, taking care to brush all of your teeth and gums. Food and drink can interfere with this toothpaste and make it less effective, so be sure to brush after you’ve finished eating.

How long should you use Duraphat toothpaste for?

Your doctor will decide how long you need to use Duraphat toothpaste for, so you should follow their instructions carefully. For example, they may want to check how your treatment is going before they decide whether you need to continue it. If you’re unsure whether you should still be using this medication, you should ask your doctor for advice.

How will Duraphat fluoride toothpaste help prevent tooth decay?

Duraphat fluoride toothpaste contains high levels of sodium fluoride, an ingredient which is used to help prevent tooth decay. It works by strengthening your tooth enamel, helping it to promote remineralisation of the tooth’s surface and preventing dental caries in the process. It’s clinically proven to help prevent dental caries, with statistics showing that 5000pm fluoride toothpaste can result in a 76% reduction in root carious lesions, making this toothpaste ideal for those who are at particular risk of tooth decay.

Will I need 2800 or 5000 ppm fluoride toothpaste?

Duraphat toothpaste is available in 2800ppm and 5000ppm strengths, with the 5000ppm product containing more sodium fluoride than the 2800ppm version. During your consultation, your doctor will decide which strength of toothpaste will be right for you, depending on the current state of your teeth and how great your risk of tooth decay is. Another thing to consider is the age of the patient, Duraphat 2800ppm toothpaste can be used by children aged 10 and over, whereas the 5000ppm strength can only be used in people over 16.

What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay, which is also known as dental caries or cavities, is what happens when the hard surface (enamel) of your teeth is worn away, forming holes. Cavities are usually caused by plaque, which is the sticky white film that develops on your teeth during the day. Plaque is full of bacteria which create acids that damage your tooth enamel, and if it’s not cleaned away regularly it can wear away at your teeth, creating dental caries. This is why a thorough daily dental care routine is so important, as brushing and flossing help to remove plaque from the surface of your teeth, giving it less chance to attack the tooth and cause lasting damage.

Is this toothpaste suitable for sensitive teeth?

Tooth sensitivity happens when the enamel on your teeth wears down, exposing the sensitive dentin beneath. Duraphat toothpaste encourages the remineralisation of teeth, meaning it can help to strengthen your tooth enamel and the exposed dentine too. Although this product is designed to prevent dental caries, this effect of strengthening the surface of the tooth can also help to ease sensitivity. If you’re suffering from severe sensitivity, you may want to ask your doctor or dentist whether a high fluoride toothpaste could help you.

Can I use this product at the same time as my regular medication?

At this time, Duraphat isn’t known to interact with any other medications, so you should be able to use it alongside your other treatments. However, you should let your doctor know about any medications you’re taking, even if they haven’t been prescribed, during your consultation. Your doctor will need to consider whether this treatment will be right for you and taking your other medications into account is a big part of this process.

Can I use this product if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding you should tell your doctor about this during your initial consultation. Duraphat toothpaste may not be the right treatment for you at this time and your doctor will need to take this into consideration before they consider writing a prescription. We recommend speaking to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication during your pregnancy or while breastfeeding, as they will help you to choose the safest treatment for you and your baby.

Is this toothpaste made by Colgate?

Duraphat toothpaste is manufactured by Colgate, which you may know as a leading dental and oral care brand. Unlike other Colgate products, you can’t buy this Duraphat toothpaste in the supermarket, but that doesn’t mean you should expect anything less than the excellent quality you’ve come to expect from this brand. 

When should this product not be used?

Duraphat 5000ppm toothpaste is not suitable for use in children under the age of 16, Duraphat 2800ppm toothpaste is not suitable for use in children under 10. Do not use this product if you are allergic to sodium fluoride or any of the other listed ingredients. This product contains sodium benzoate which is a mild irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, so keep this in mind while using this product. This product has a high fluoride content so you should not use any other products which contain fluoride or fluoridated water or salt at the same time as this toothpaste.

Does Colgate Duraphat toothpaste have side effects?

Like all medications, Colgate Duraphat toothpaste can have side effects, although not everyone will experience them. These include:

• Rare cases of allergic reaction showing symptoms such as a rash, itching, swelling, and redness

• Burning oral sensation

If you experience these or any other side effects you should speak to your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist. If any side effects become severe you should seek immediate medical assistance. For more information about reporting the side effects of medication, please see the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.

Do I need a prescription for Duraphat?

You do need a prescription for Duraphat in the UK. Our healthcare professionals can provide prescriptions if they think this treatment would be right for you and your condition. When you click the button which reads “Start Consultation” at the top of this page, you’ll see a short questionnaire set up by our healthcare team which is designed to help them understand your medical needs. Just like an in-person consultation with your GP, our doctors will assess your answers to their questions and write a prescription for the treatment they think will be best for you. You’ll then be able to pay for your medication and we’ll send it out to you quickly and in discreet packaging.

How to store this product

Store in a cool, dry place which is below 25 degrees C. Do not use this product if the expiry date printed on the original packaging has passed. If the toothpaste becomes discoloured or looks like it’s deteriorated you should ask your pharmacist for advice. Keep out of sight and reach of children.