Quip is a subscription model toothbrush and toothpaste manufacturer that is shaking up the market. Since dollar shave club revolutionised the razor market, it was only a matter of time before someone applied the same success to the toothbrush world.
Quip differentiates itself from its competitors by delivering brush head, battery and toothpaste refill direct to your door every three months. This means you can concentrate on looking after your oral hygiene instead of buying dental products.
As you will be receiving Quip toothpaste every 3 months on the refill plan, the most important question is does it work? As a dentist who has been reviewing dental products for over 4 years, I feel qualified to answer this question in detail. So should you opt in or out of the Quip toothpaste?
Psst… just before we get started, I have teamed up with Quip to give Dentistryblogger readers a special discount coupon that is automatically added to your shopping cart. Just use the link below.
Quip Toothpaste Review by a Dentist
Product Name: Quip Toothpaste
Product Description: Quip Toothpaste is a solid all-round toothpaste that provides good protection against cavities and plaque. It is also sodium lauryl sulphate free and friendly to vegans. It does not contain any specialist ingredients for sensitivity.
Offer price: from $5
Quip Toothpaste Review Summary
This toothpaste is a great addition to the Quip dental product line up. The real selling point of the Quip toothpaste is that it is delivered directly to your door. This saves you time and means you will never be without toothpaste.
Overall
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Cavity Protection - 80
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Gum Protection - 60
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Sensitivity - 60
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Enamel Loss - 80
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Taste and Breath - 100
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Value for Money - 100
Pros
- Delivered to your door every 3 months
- Contains Xylitol and Fluoride
- Lovely Peppermint taste
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphate Free
- Vegan-Friendly
Cons
- No specialist sensitivity ingredient
- Only 1200ppm Fluoride concentration
1) Cavity Protection – Quip Toothpaste Review
Quip mint anticavity toothpaste does protect your teeth against tooth decay. It contains both fluoride and xylitol. These ingredients work together to protect your teeth against cavities.
Fluoride works in three ways:
- Strengthening your teeth by forming a substance known as fluorapatite
- Helps the enamel of the tooth remineralize by attracting ions to the damaged area
- Inhibits growth of decay forming bacteria
The Fluoride concentration is low at 1200ppm however this is offset by the addition of Xylitol. Many kinds of toothpaste only contain fluoride OR xylitol. To have a toothpaste that contains both is fantastic.
Children 2 years old and above can use Quip Toothpaste. Always make sure to check the manufacturer’s guidelines before using toothpaste on a child.
2) Gum Protection – Quip Toothpaste Review
Quip toothpaste does not really have any active ingredients that make it good against gum disease. It does have a tiny concentration of hydrogen peroxide but this is mainly used as a buffer.
Any toothpaste that removes plaque from the teeth, will reduce your chances of getting gum disease. Quip anti-cavity mint toothpaste does not have any special ingredients that directly combat gum disease. Its gum protection is average.
If you are looking for a toothpaste with good gum protection, take a look at Plaque HD, Colgate total or Oral-B Pro Expert.
3) Sensitivity – Quip Toothpaste Review
Quip toothpaste does have fluoride in it, which makes it decent against sensitivity. It also seems to have a low abrasivity which helps reduce sensitivity and toothbrush abrasion.
Other than fluoride the Quip toothpaste does not have any active ingredients against dentine hypersensitivity. If you are looking for a specialist sensitive toothpaste then there are better toothpastes out there namely:
- Colgate pro sensitive relief that contains arginine
- Sensodyne repair and protect that contains Novamin
4) Enamel Loss – Quip Toothpaste Review
Although I cannot find a published abrasivity score for Quip toothpaste, it does feel quite smooth to me and not overly aggressive. The fluoride will help remineralise the enamel when it is damaged.
Quip Toothpaste will be decent at preventing enamel loss, however, I cannot give it full marks as I do not know the exact abrasivity.
5) Taste, Texture, Breath, and Colour – Quip Toothpaste Review
Quip toothpaste has quite a strong peppermint taste, which I personally think is nice. The texture is quite smooth and it does make my breath smell nice in the morning and evening.
It is white in colour due to the titanium dioxide. Most toothpaste is white in colour and I prefer it. When the Quip toothpaste is used to brush your teeth it lathes up well and gives a squeaky clean feeling afterwards.
6) Value for Money – Quip Toothpaste Review
The main way people will be paying for their Quip toothpaste is through their refill plan. For $10 every 3 months, you will get a brush head, a AAA battery and 3 month supply of toothpaste. This price is inclusive of delivery even if you live abroad. This represents fantastic value for money
If you were to buy the Quip toothpaste separately it would be $5 per tube and you would have to pay for delivery. I definitely would not recommend doing this.
Overall- Quip Toothpaste Review
A solid 80 out of 100 for the Quip toothpaste. This is a good toothpaste that provides a decent level of cavity and plaque protection. It is not the best toothpaste on the market however it will be good enough for the vast majority of people.
The real strong points for the toothpaste is the combination of fluoride and xylitol, the taste and the value for money. If you are looking for a toothpaste with special ingredients for gums and sensitivity, I would look elsewhere.
Quip toothpaste ingredients
Sodium Fluoride – Quip Toothpaste Review
The new updated Quip mint anticavity toothpaste now contains an increased amount of fluoride in the form of sodium fluoride 0.23% (0.12% w/v fluoride ion). What does this gobbledygook mean?
Fluoride in the correct concentration has many benefits for the teeth. It prevents against cavities, strengthens teeth and aids against sensitivity. Normally toothpaste has fluoride concentrations between 1000 parts per million (ppm) and 1500ppm. The higher the fluoride concentration is in this range, the more it protects against cavities and sensitivity.
Quip toothpaste contains 0.12% w/v fluoride ion which converts into 1200ppm fluoride concentration. This is about the middle of the road for fluoride concentration. In the UK I recommend my patients to look for a toothpaste that contains 1450ppm fluoride concentration.
Xylitol – Quip Toothpaste Review
The Quip mint anticavity toothpaste also contains xylitol. This excites me as it is currently one of the only kind of toothpaste on the market to contain fluoride and xylitol. Usually, toothpaste contains either fluoride or xylitol.
Xylitol is believed to have an anti-cavity effect, helping to prevent against tooth decay. The evidence base supporting Xylitol is much less robust than fluoride however there are some studies that do show a link between xylitol and a reduced amount of tooth decay.
The largest study done on Xylitol (which was performed by Cochrane) did reveal “some low-quality evidence to suggest that fluoride toothpaste containing xylitol may be more effective than fluoride only containing toothpaste for preventing caries”. This means that the slight reduction in fluoride concentration (1200ppm) may be made up for by the addition of Xylitol.
Xylitol also acts a flavor enhancer and a sweetener, as well as it’s anticavity properties.
Hydrated Silica – Quip Toothpaste Review
Hydrated silica is a fine abrasive gel which helps the Quip toothpaste remove plaque. It is both odourless and tasteless.
I usually like to find out the abrasiveness of a toothpaste however could not find a published Relative Dentine Abrasiveness (RDA) value. All I can say is that the Quip toothpaste does feel quite smooth and is likely less aggressive than whitening toothpastes.
Sorbitol – Quip Toothpaste Review
Sorbitol is added to Quip mint anticavity toothpaste for two reasons. First of all, sorbitol is a sweetener that does not lead to tooth decay.
The second reason is that it helps relieve dry mouth by being able to draw in water. This moisturises the mouth.
Glycerin – Quip Toothpaste Review
Glycerin is added to Quip anticavity toothpaste to ensure that the toothpaste remains moist. Without Glycerin, the toothpaste would be a dried up crumbly mess.
It has had a bad rap in the past, with some websites saying that glycerin coats teeth and leads to tooth decay and sensitivity. As with most rumours, this is factually incorrect and has very poor research to back it up.
I continue to use Glycerin based toothpastes on my own teeth and will continue to do so until someone comes up with a decent clinical study.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate – Quip Toothpaste Review
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a foaming agent which shares its initials with Sodium Laureth Sulphate and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, although the two are not the same.
Many products contain Sodium Laureth Sulphate and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. It is known to be good at cleaning however a skin irritant. The reason for this is that some people can become sensitized to sulphate over time. The other concern with Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is that it is sometimes contaminated with 1,4 dioxane which is a known carcinogen.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate does not contain sulphates. Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is not expected to be irritating or sensitizing. It can be contaminated with Nitrosamine which is potentially carcinogenic.
Quip toothpaste does not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS).
Cellulose Gum – Quip Toothpaste Review
Cellulose gum is used as a thickening agent and improves the texture of Quip Toothpaste. There has been some reports of allergy to cellulose gum however it is extremely rare. This is mainly because cellulose gum is not absorbed or digested.
The Quip toothpaste does have a nice texture to it so they have added the right amount of cellulose gum.
Sodium Saccharin – Quip Toothpaste Review
Saccharin is an artificial sweetener and is used as a flavour enhancer in Quip Toothpaste. It used to be called a potential carcinogen however this has now been discredited.
Carrageenan – Quip Toothpaste Review
Carrageenan is a fiber derived from seaweed that is used to thicken Quip Toothpaste and many other food products. There is debate as to whether carrageenan is inflammatory to the digestive tract. The evidence remains inconclusive.
Menthol – Quip Toothpaste Review
Menthol is put into Quip mint anticavity toothpaste to give it flavor. The Quip toothpaste has a distinctive peppermint flavor which tastes nice.
Sensitivity to Menthol is very rare however does occur.
Titanium Dioxide – Quip Toothpaste Review
Titanium dioxide gives Quip Toothpaste its white colour. It has been approved by the US Food and drug administration for this purpose.
Hydrogen Peroxide – Quip Toothpaste Review
Hydrogen peroxide is used as a buffer in Quip Toothpaste. It will also help protect your gums from bacteria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) – Quip Toothpaste Review
What age can I use start using Quip toothpaste on my children’s teeth?
I always say make sure to check the manufacturer’s guidelines. At this current stage (17/12/18), Quip toothpaste is recommended for adults and children 2 years old and above.
This is brushing teeth twice a day for 2 minutes, not swallowing the toothpaste and using a pea-sized amount. Make sure to supervise your children to ensure good brushing habits. For children under 2 years old ask your dentist.
What toothbrush should I use with Quip toothpaste?
The obvious answer is the Quip Electric Toothbrush. If that does not interest you then I recommend checking out my post on the best electric toothbrush.
Does Quip Toothpaste have fluoride?
Yes, it does and I am glad it does.
Quip toothpaste SLS free?
It does not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS). SLS is a skin irritant and a potential carcinogen.
Quip toothpaste does contain Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate which shares its initials with Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. This is not the same chemical and is not as harmful.
Is Quip toothpaste Vegan?
Yes the Quip toothpaste is entirely Vegan.
Is Quip Toothpaste Cruelty-Free?
Quip do not test on animals. All Quip products are made in a world-leading, fair labor toothbrush facility in China.
Quip Toothpaste Whitening?
Sorry to burst your bubble but no over the counter toothpaste will whiten your teeth. Some toothpaste will remove staining and some should be saved for the barbecue (Activated charcoal). You see the only known safe to use whitening agent for your teeth is hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.
Quip toothpaste does contain hydrogen peroxide but not in a high enough concentration for it to whiten your teeth. If you want to whiten your teeth, I would recommend it to be done professionally by a dentist.
How do I use Quip Toothpaste?
Place a pea-sized amount (children and adults who are 3+ years old) onto a toothbrush head and brush twice a day for two minutes. If you want a detailed article about how to brush your teeth properly click here.
Is Quip Toothpaste Worth it?
Yes, the Quip toothpaste is worth it. It is a solid overall toothpaste that will provide you with good protection against cavities, sensitivity and plaque. The Quip toothpaste is also sodium lauryl sulphate free and friendly to vegans.
I would have preferred it if it had a slightly higher concentration of fluoride however the addition of Xylitol does boost its anti-cavity effects. If you are looking for a specialist toothpaste for sensitivity or gum disease, I would look elsewhere.
