Crest Cavity Protection Toothpaste (Regular Paste)

Crest Cavity Protection (Regular Paste) is a fluoride toothpaste from Procter & Gamble’s Crest brand, formulated to prevent cavities and strengthen enamel. Its active ingredient is sodium fluoride 0.243% (0.15% w/v fluoride ion) – a standard anticavity dosage. The FDA-approved label notes its purpose as an “anticavity toothpaste” that “helps protect teeth and roots against cavities.”. Crest emphasizes that this formula “helps stop cavities before they start” using a clinically proven fluoride system (“Fluoristat”). The product bears the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, meaning the ADA found it “safe and has shown efficacy in helping prevent tooth decay when used as directed.” 

• Active ingredient & effect: Sodium fluoride 0.243% (providing 0.15% fluoride ion) is the anticavity agent. Fluoride works by remineralizing tooth enamel and inhibiting decay. The Crest label explicitly states it “helps protect teeth and roots against cavities”.
• Cavities & ADA approval: According to Crest, this paste “gives protection to your teeth and exposed roots” in addition to stopping cavities early. The ADA Seal confirms its efficacy: the ADA’s Council on Scientific Affairs found Crest Cavity Protection to be effective in preventing tooth decay.

Usage Directions

According to the product’s Drug Facts label, Crest Cavity Protection should be used as part of a normal brushing routine:

• Brushing frequency: Adults and children aged 2 and up should brush thoroughly after meals or at least twice a day. This regular use helps complement the fluoride’s cavity-preventing action.
• Amount & supervision: For children under 6, only a pea-sized amount of paste should be used, and an adult should supervise brushing to minimize swallowing. Children under 2 should use it only on a dentist’s advice.
• Spit, don’t swallow: In all cases, users are instructed not to swallow the toothpaste. After brushing, excess should be spit out.

Safety Warnings

The toothpaste carries standard fluoride-toothpaste warnings:

• Keep away from young children: “Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age” is printed on the label, because swallowing fluoride toothpaste in large quantities can be harmful to young kids.
• If swallowed: The label advises that if more than a normal amount is swallowed (e.g. a child ingests it), one should get medical help or call a poison control center right away. This is to prevent fluoride toxicity.
• Dentist consultation: For infants/toddlers under 2, the label says to ask a dentist before use.

Overall, Crest Cavity Protection’s warnings are typical for fluoride toothpastes: supervise young children’s brushing, use a small amount, and do not swallow the paste.

Formulation & Additional Details

Beyond fluoride, Crest Cavity Protection Regular Paste contains common toothpaste ingredients:

• Inactive ingredients: These include a humectant/sweetener (sorbitol), mild abrasive (hydrated silica), foaming detergent (sodium lauryl sulfate), buffering agents (trisodium phosphate, sodium phosphate), thickeners/binders (cellulose gum, carbomer), a sweetener (sodium saccharin), flavoring, and colorants. In particular, the paste contains titanium dioxide (a whitening agent) and FD&C Blue No. 1 (dye), giving it a blue color. The listed flavor is “Wintergreen,” which is a minty flavor in the paste.
• Product form: This is the regular paste (not a gel) formulation. Packaging for the common 5.7 oz (161 g) tube reads “Crest® Cavity Protection Regular Paste” and touts its fluoride anticavity formula. (Crest also offers the same formula in gel form or different flavors, but the Regular Paste is the classic version.)
• Manufacturer: It is produced and distributed by Procter & Gamble (Cincinnati, OH) under the Crest brand. The package bears the ADA seal (as noted) and phrases like “FLUORIDE ANTICAVITY TOOTHPASTE” and the slogan “Helps stop cavities before they start”.
• ADA Seal: As carrying the ADA acceptance, Crest Cavity Protection meets the ADA criteria for preventing tooth decay when used properly. This means dentists consider it a safe, effective choice for daily cavity prevention.

Summary: Crest Cavity Protection Regular Paste is a standard fluoride toothpaste designed for daily cavity prevention. Its 0.243% sodium fluoride active ingredient (0.15% fluoride ion) helps remineralize enamel and protect against decay. The label, backed by ADA acceptance, underscores its anticavity efficacy. Users should follow normal brushing instructions (brush twice a day, supervise children, do not swallow) as stated on the packaging. Inactive components (humectants, abrasives, etc.) and its minty wintergreen flavor are typical for such products.