Duraphat Toothpaste

Colgate Duraphat Toothpaste Online UK

By Clinical Pharmacist Hywel McGlinchy

You can request to order Colgate Duraphat toothpaste online from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. We ask that you complete a short assessment as part of your order. This helps our doctors to make sure the medicine is safe and suitable to prescribe for you.

Please note, this UK service is only available to people who have been prescribed Duraphat by their dentist previously.

What is Duraphat toothpaste?

Duraphat toothpaste is a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste manufactured by Colgate. It’s used to help prevent tooth decay (dental caries) in adults and adolescents aged 16 and over. It can be especially useful for people at risk from multiple caries. The fluoride in this toothpaste is known as a caries preventing agent.

It’s available in two strengths: Colgate Duraphat 2800 toothpaste(0.619% strength) and Colgate Duraphat 5000 toothpaste (1.1% strength). 

How does it work?

Tooth decay is the destruction of the tooth caused by acid attacking the tooth. The acid is made by bacteria in dental plaque. Duraphat toothpaste contains fluoride as sodium salt, which belongs to a group of medicines called caries preventing agents. Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways of preventing dental caries. The fluoride helps to reduce the demineralisation of tooth enamel whilst also increasing the remineralisation of tooth enamel. 

Fluoride toothpaste that you can buy at shops usually contains between 1350ppm and 1500ppm of fluoride. Duraphat toothpaste contains either 2800ppm or 5000ppm of fluoride. Your dentist may prescribe this higher strength if you’re at a high risk of tooth decay.

Duraphat alternatives

There are many fluoride products available to buy if Duraphat fluoride toothpaste is unsuitable for you to use. This includes fluoride drops, tablets, mouthwashes and other products. The toothpaste that you can buy at a regular shop usually contains between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm of fluoride. This is a safe and effective amount of fluoride for people who are not at a high risk of tooth decay.

Duraphat summary

How long should you use Duraphat toothpaste for?

You should use Duraphat toothpaste for as long as your dentist has recommended. Your dentist may ask you to use the toothpaste daily until your next check-up appointment, which is usually every 6 months or sooner. 

What is Duraphat toothpaste used for?

Duraphat toothpaste is used to help prevent tooth decay (dental caries), especially for people at risk for multiple caries. You can read more about the benefits of fluoride for your teeth on the NHS website.

Who makes Duraphat toothpaste?

Duraphat toothpaste is made by the dental brand Colgate. It’s available as a 2800 ppm strength or a 5000 ppm strength.

Is Duraphat toothpaste prescription only?

Duraphat toothpaste is a prescription-only medicine that can only be prescribed by your dentist, doctor or other healthcare professional.

Can I buy Duraphat over the counter?

Duraphat, in the UK, is a prescription-only medicine and cannot be bought over the counter. This is because it’s a high fluoride toothpaste, which contains significantly more fluoride than the regular toothpaste you can buy in shops and pharmacies.

Duraphat Side Effects

Like any medicine, Duraphat can cause side effects, although not everybody experiences them. In rare cases, some people can experience allergic reactions from using this medicine. This is thought to occur in less than 1 in 1000 people using the toothpaste. If you think you are experiencing an allergic reaction to this medicine, seek medical attention immediately.

Some people have reported a burning sensation in the mouth as a side effect. See the patient information leaflet for further details on side effects.

How to use Duraphat

You should use this medicine exactly as your dentist has told you to. It’s usually used twice a day but your dentist will tell you how often to use it. Apply a 2cm ribbon of toothpaste onto your toothbrush and brush your teeth as directed by your dentist. Spit out the toothpaste after you finish brushing and make sure not to swallow any of the toothpaste. See the NHS tooth brushing page for tips to improve your brushing technique.

Warnings

Duraphat toothpaste is not suitable for anyone who’s allergic to sodium fluoride or any of the other ingredients in this medicine. It should also not be used by anyone under the age of 16 years old. 

Duraphat toothpaste has a high fluoride content and you should avoid other fluoride products when using this toothpaste. This includes fluoride tablets, drops, varnishes, gels and fluoridated water and salt. 

See section 2 of the patient information leaflet for further details.