I totally get the worry about enamel—my kid’s dentist actually pointed out that some pastes are a bit too abrasive for little teeth. They recommended sticking with something less gritty, but didn’t have strong opinions on creamy vs gel. Texture does seem to matter for comfort though.
Interesting your dentist wasn’t too fussed about creamy vs gel. I’ve actually noticed gels feel a bit “slippery” to me, like they don’t coat my teeth as well as the creamier ones. Anyone else get that sensation, or is it just in my head? Also, has anyone tried those “enamel repair” pastes? I can’t tell if they’re legit or just marketing hype...
Creamy pastes seem to work better for my kid—she says the gel ones just slide right off her teeth and she’s never sure if she’s brushed enough. I’ve actually wondered if that “slippery” feeling means it’s not cleaning as well, or if it just feels different. About those enamel repair pastes: we tried one after her dentist recommended it post-braces, but honestly, I can’t say we noticed a huge difference. Maybe it takes longer, or maybe it’s more about prevention than repair?
“she says the gel ones just slide right off her teeth and she’s never sure if she’s brushed enough.”
That’s actually a common complaint with gels—creamy pastes tend to have more “body,” so they stick around longer and make it easier to feel where you’ve brushed. The slippery feeling doesn’t mean it’s not cleaning, but it can make it harder to judge coverage. As for enamel repair, you’re right—it’s mostly about prevention. These pastes can help remineralize early spots, but visible results are rare unless there’s active damage. It’s a slow process, and sometimes you just don’t notice much change day-to-day.
I get what you’re saying about the gel types, but honestly, I’ve had almost the opposite experience. I like that slick feeling because it makes my teeth feel cleaner, and I don’t get all that leftover paste gunk in my mouth. It’s true that it’s harder to see where you’ve brushed, but I just go by the clock—like, two minutes and I’m good.
About enamel repair, I’ve actually noticed a difference since switching to one of those “repair” gels. My sensitivity went down after a few weeks, so maybe it’s not just about stopping new damage but helping with old spots too? Could be placebo, but it felt real enough for me.
I do miss the gritty stuff sometimes though. There’s something satisfying about feeling like you’re scrubbing everything off... even if it’s just in your head.