Toothpaste makes your mouth feel minty fresh when you need it most, whether you’ve just woken up with a bad case of morning breath or eaten a giant bowl of garlicky pasta. But while toothpaste may cover up those unpleasant odors, some argue that it’s actually not essential for maintaining good oral hygiene. There are dentists out there who claim that you can keep your teeth perfectly healthy without using any toothpaste at all. If you’re wondering why and whether you can stop using toothpaste, here’s what you should know.

It’s Mainly About Brushing

The single most important thing you can do to maintain good oral hygiene is to brush your teeth. This physical scrubbing is more important than using toothpaste or water, as the simple act of brushing is good enough to dislodge most plaque and food residue. Of course, something is refreshing about walking out of the bathroom with a minty mouth, but some would argue that sensation is largely superficial. That being said, there are some people for whom toothpaste burns their mouth or tastes terrible. If you’re one of those people, you can still get a good enough clean if you brush twice daily for two minutes each time, even without toothpaste.

The Importance of Using Fluoride

While people will continue to argue over whether or not toothpaste is important, nearly everyone can agree on how essential it is to use fluoride. Fluoride helps remineralize teeth, coats them with acid-resistant protective layers, and prevents oral bacteria from forming and multiplying. There’s also a direct correlation between the use of fluoride and developing fewer cavities, as those who never use fluoride are more susceptible to this common dental affliction.

Most people get fluoride by using fluoridated toothpaste, but that’s not the only way. An excellent alternative is fluoridated mouthwash, which coats the teeth with fluoride every time you swish it around. This would theoretically suggest that fluoride toothpastes aren’t necessary so long as you use fluoride mouthwash, but that belief isn’t backed by a study, so it’s best to proceed with some level of skepticism.

Toothpaste Is Expensive

Dental health aside, there’s a financial reason to stop using toothpaste. Between 2022 and 2023, the cost of a single tube of toothpaste increased by a whopping 45% on average, which reflects the general inflation that so many Americans are suffering from. While that increase only amounts to about a dollar per tube, that money can add up if you’re on a tight budget or trying to provide toothpaste for a large family.

Why You Should Keep Using Toothpaste

At the end of the day, the belief that you can stop using toothpaste isn’t backed by any reputable scientific study. Remember that even if toothpaste is “useless,” as the arguments suggest, it will still not harm you if you keep using it. In fact, if anything, it will help, as most dentists still recommend using toothpaste, assuming it doesn’t burn your mouth or isn’t cost-prohibitive.

According to a recent study, the development of toothpaste over time correlates with a stark decrease in cavities and other dental affiliations — whether that’s more because of the fluoride many toothpastes contain is up for debate. But many toothpastes also contain helpful ingredients, such as abrasive substances to tackle plaque and phosphates to provide extra minerals. Also, toothpaste will make your mouth smell better before that hot date or important work meeting, so don’t give up on it. For more information about how to brush your teeth properly, consult our helpful guide.

Featured image credit: Ridofranz/ iStock

From fine wine to a pair of well-worn blue jeans, it’s said that things get better with age. But unlike a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that can improve just by sitting there, we humans need to stay active as we get older to stay fit and healthy. Even if you visit the gym regularly and follow a strict diet, it can be challenging to determine how well you’re aging. Thankfully, you can do a quick fitness test from the comfort of your home, and it only takes five seconds of your valuable time. This test requires no special equipment or anyone to guide you — just an open space and a few moments to spare.

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The Sit-To-Stand Test

The “sit-to-stand test” isn’t a panacea by any means, but rather an indirect measure of one’s personal fitness backed by a 2012 research study. To begin, stand upright in an open space. Then sit cross-legged on the floor before returning to a standing position. While this may sound easy, the trick is to avoid using your hands, forearms, or other parts of your upper body and torso to help you stand up. Your leg and core muscles are the only muscles you’re supposed to rely on.

Scoring the Test

Give yourself 10 imaginary points at the start of the test. Then subtract one point every time you use your arms, torso, hips, or even your knees to help you get from a standing position to a sitting position and vice versa. If you can sit down and stand back up without assistance, then you score a perfect 10. If you’re unable to sit down or stand back up at all, then your score is zero.

According to Dr. Natalie Azar — a medical contributor to NBC News — achieving a score of eight or higher is ideal. However, she acknowledges that some people may not be able to perform the test due to a recent injury or genetic musculoskeletal limitations, although those individuals may be extremely fit. All this is to say that there are flaws within the test that fail to account for certain circumstances, so your score shouldn’t be taken as gospel. Instead, look at your score as a potential indicator of personal fitness rather than an indisputable fact.

The Science Behind This Test

According to the aforementioned 2012 study, a successful sit-to-stand test may indicate stronger cardiovascular health, high-quality core strength, and more desirable levels of balance and flexibility. The study also determined that the test was a solid indicator of an increased risk of mortality for participants between the ages of 51 and 80. Again, it’s important to note that this test is far from a sure science but something that we can make reasonable assumptions about based on the results.

How To Achieve a Higher Score

If you didn’t score as high as you hoped, there are methods for improving your core strength and flexibility that anyone can do from home. Bridges are among the best core exercises — especially for older adults. In order to perform a bridge, lay flat on your back and lift your butt high off the ground. Then contract all of your core muscles before returning to your original position. Repeat several times for as long as you’re able. While you can do bridges on any floor or carpet, we recommend grabbing a yoga mat for added comfort and stability.

To improve your flexibility, plenty of low-impact exercises like yoga and pilates are ideal for people of any age. Another wonderful exercise is swimming, as it helps lengthen the muscles without putting pressure on your joints. Before heading to the pool, we suggest picking up a pair of solid goggles and a comfortable silicone cap that can help keep your hair dry.