“Does toothpaste kill bacteria in your mouth?”

Toothpaste does not kill bacteria in the mouth. You could brush with soap and water and get the same effect. It just tastes better with your test.

Toothpastes does not directly kill bacteria in your mouth. There are over 700 species of bacteria in your mouth. Some good and some bad. The antimicrobial I’m tooth weaken the bacteria from sticks to the heath plaque layer around your tooth and your teeth themselves. Once weakened, your regular oral hygiene routine (brushing, flossing and rinsing) will whisk the bad bacteria away leaving a clean surface for the good bacteria an healthy plaque layer to protect your teeth.

Thank you for your question.

Wynatte Chu, DDS

Not really.

Yes, toothpaste can help remove plaque which is bacterial, but it is not really antibacterial. Use a good mouthwash like Listerine also.