MI Paste and MI Paste Plus A Complete Comparison
When you hear dentists talking about MI Paste and MI Paste Plus, they're talking about professional-grade, topical dental cremes. Both are designed to help remineralize your tooth enamel and dial down sensitivity. The biggest difference comes down to one key ingredient: MI Paste Plus contains fluoride for an extra layer of cavity protection, while the original MI Paste is fluoride-free.
Deciding between the two really depends on whether you're looking for targeted mineral delivery on its own or if you need the added anti-cavity muscle of fluoride.
A Deeper Dive into These Advanced Dental Cremes
First thing's first: MI Paste and MI Paste Plus aren't your everyday toothpaste. Think of them as therapeutic treatments you apply after you brush. Both formulas are built around a unique, milk-derived protein technology called RECALDENT™. The scientific name is a mouthful—Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (CPP-ACP)—but what it does is pretty straightforward. It delivers bioavailable calcium and phosphate directly to your tooth's surface.
These are the essential building blocks of your enamel. Every day, acids from the food and drinks we consume strip minerals from our teeth in a process called demineralization. These cremes are designed to reverse that process, replenishing those lost minerals to make teeth stronger and far less sensitive.
Core Technology and Key Differences
The main distinction, as we mentioned, is the fluoride. MI Paste Plus incorporates 900 ppm of sodium fluoride into its RECALDENT™ technology. This combination helps form a more acid-resistant tooth surface called fluorapatite, making it a powerhouse for anyone with a high risk of cavities.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how they stack up:
| Feature | MI Paste | MI Paste Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ingredient | RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP) | RECALDENT™ with Fluoride (CPP-ACFP) |
| Fluoride Content | Fluoride-Free | 900 ppm Sodium Fluoride |
| Primary Goal | Sensitivity relief, mineral delivery | Cavity prevention, sensitivity relief |
| Best For | Fluoride sensitivity, post-whitening | High cavity risk, orthodontic patients |
These products are also a game-changer for people dealing with dry mouth (xerostomia). In fact, they're a major player in the growing USD 2.16 billion xerostomia therapeutics market because they help stimulate saliva and restore minerals without the common irritants found in many toothpastes.
While MI Paste and MI Paste Plus offer incredible targeted relief, they work best as part of a complete oral hygiene routine. Integrating these products effectively requires a solid foundation, which is where comprehensive dental hygiene services come in.
Ready to see which one is right for you? Take a look at our complete collection of MI Paste products to find the perfect fit for your smile.
Comparing The Core Ingredients
When you put MI Paste and MI Paste Plus side-by-side, they look almost identical. But the real story is in their core formulations—it’s what’s inside that counts, and that’s where you’ll find the key difference.
Both products are built on the same groundbreaking technology: RECALDENT™. This is a special, milk-derived protein known in the scientific community as Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate, or CPP-ACP. Just think of it as a smart delivery system. It carries bioavailable calcium and phosphate ions right to your enamel, helping to put back the essential minerals lost from everyday acid attacks from food and drinks.
The Fluoride Factor: The Key Differentiator
So, what separates these two? It all comes down to one crucial addition: fluoride.
MI Paste Plus takes the original formula and kicks it up a notch by adding 900 ppm of sodium fluoride. This changes the active ingredient to CPP-ACFP (Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Fluoride Phosphate). This isn't just a small tweak; it fundamentally boosts the product's defensive power.
Fluoride is a powerful catalyst in the remineralization process. When it teams up with the calcium and phosphate from RECALDENT™, it helps form a new, tougher enamel surface called fluorapatite. This new layer is much more resistant to acid than your natural tooth structure (hydroxyapatite).
This powerful partnership is why MI Paste Plus is the go-to recommendation for patients at a higher risk for cavities. It’s not just patching things up; it’s actively building a stronger shield against decay.
The science is clear on this. The CPP-ACFP in MI Paste Plus doesn't just replenish minerals—it builds a stronger, more protective barrier that standard MI Paste can't offer on its own. For serious cavity prevention, it's the superior choice.
Studies back this up. One clinical trial found that the CPP-ACFP technology in MI Paste Plus achieved a remineralization rate of 52.6%. That's a significant improvement over the standard CPP-ACP, which clocked in at 43.0%. You can dive deeper into the research behind these powerful remineralizing agents in the full study.
MI Paste vs. MI Paste Plus At-a-Glance
To make it even clearer, let's break down the core components in a simple table. This really highlights how adding fluoride creates two distinct products for different needs.
| Feature | MI Paste | MI Paste Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Technology | RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP) | RECALDENT™ with Fluoride (CPP-ACFP) |
| Key Minerals Delivered | Calcium & Phosphate | Calcium, Phosphate & Fluoride |
| Fluoride Content | Fluoride-Free | 900 ppm Sodium Fluoride |
| Resulting Enamel Layer | Strengthens existing hydroxyapatite | Forms new, acid-resistant fluorapatite |
While both pastes work to restore your teeth's mineral balance, the fluoride in MI Paste Plus gives it a serious edge in protection. It transforms the product into a more powerful tool for actively fighting off tooth decay, rather than just managing sensitivity or general mineral loss.
Clinical Benefits and Real-World Applications
Okay, let's move past the ingredient list. The real magic of MI Paste and MI Paste Plus is what they actually do for your teeth in the real world. Each one has its own specific strengths, so choosing the right one really comes down to what you’re trying to achieve with your oral health.
The big question you need to ask yourself is this: Am I focused more on soothing sensitivity and balancing minerals, or do I need an aggressive defense against cavities? Your answer will pretty much make the decision for you.
When to Choose MI Paste
MI Paste is your go-to when your main goal is to calm sensitive teeth and restore mineral balance without adding any fluoride. It's a fantastic choice in specific situations where delivering targeted calcium and phosphate is the top priority.
Think of it as a calming, restorative treatment for stressed-out enamel. It really shines in a few key areas:
- Soothing Post-Whitening Sensitivity: If you've ever had professional teeth whitening, you know it can leave your teeth feeling zapped and sensitive. Applying MI Paste right after a session rehydrates the tooth surface and brings almost immediate relief.
- Managing Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Saliva is your mouth's built-in defense system. When you don't have enough of it, MI Paste steps in to buffer acids and deliver the crucial calcium and phosphate your saliva would normally provide, helping to shield your teeth from acid attacks.
- A Fluoride-Free Option: For anyone who needs to avoid fluoride due to medical reasons or simply prefers not to use it, MI Paste is a safe and effective way to fortify enamel and dial down sensitivity.
When your teeth scream after a cold drink or a whitening treatment, that's demineralization in action. MI Paste is like a topical nutrient bath, delivering the exact minerals needed to calm those angry nerve endings and rebuild weakened spots on your enamel.
The Power of MI Paste Plus
Adding 900 ppm of fluoride is what turns MI Paste Plus into a cavity-fighting powerhouse. This is the version we recommend for anyone who needs that extra layer of protection against tooth decay, and it’s a staple for patients we consider high-risk.
All MI Paste products are great at promoting remineralization and helping to prevent tooth decay naturally. But the "Plus" formula takes it to another level, making it essential for:
- High Caries Risk Individuals: If you're just cavity-prone, the fluoride in MI Paste Plus teams up with the RECALDENT™ to build a stronger, more acid-resistant enamel surface called fluorapatite. It’s like giving your teeth a suit of armor.
- Orthodontic Patients: Those little areas around braces are notorious plaque traps, often leading to demineralization and chalky "white spot lesions." MI Paste Plus is clinically proven to help prevent and even reverse these early signs of decay.
- Aggressive Remineralization Needs: For anyone showing signs of significant enamel erosion or the very first stages of decay, MI Paste Plus delivers the intensive mineral therapy required to stop the damage and actively rebuild the tooth's structure.
You can learn more about how MI Paste is a vital part of a complete oral care routine by checking out our guide, which answers the common question, "What is MI Paste used for?".
Which Product Is Right For You?
Choosing between MI Paste and MI Paste Plus really just comes down to your main dental concern. It's not a question of which product is better overall, but which one is the right tool for your specific job. Once you know what you're trying to fix, the choice becomes clear.
This quick decision tree helps visualize the core choice: are you primarily trying to relieve sensitivity or are you fighting off cavities?
As the chart shows, your main goal points you directly to the right product. To make it even clearer, let's walk through a few real-world scenarios to see how this plays out for different people.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
To help you choose with confidence, we've sketched out four common situations. See which one sounds the most like you to find your perfect match.
1. The Teeth Whitening Enthusiast After a professional whitening treatment, teeth are often left porous and can feel incredibly sensitive. The number one priority is getting immediate relief and helping the enamel remineralize to calm everything down.
- Ideal Product: MI Paste (Fluoride-Free)
- Why It Works: It delivers a concentrated blast of calcium and phosphate that rehydrates the enamel and soothes nerve sensitivity without adding any other active ingredients. Think of it as the perfect recovery treatment after whitening.
2. The Orthodontic Patient Wearing braces or aligners creates all sorts of tricky spots that are hard to clean. Plaque can build up in these areas, leading to demineralization and those dreaded "white spot lesions"—the very first sign of decay.
- Ideal Product: MI Paste Plus (with Fluoride)
- Why It Works: The combination of RECALDENT™ and 900 ppm fluoride is clinically proven to stop these lesions from forming and can even help reverse them. The fluoride gives you the essential anti-cavity defense needed throughout orthodontic treatment.
For anyone with braces, the question isn't just about mineral balance; it's about active cavity prevention. MI Paste Plus offers the robust protection required to keep teeth healthy and lesion-free throughout the entire orthodontic journey.
3. The Medically Compromised Individual Certain health conditions or medications can cause dry mouth (xerostomia), which leaves teeth vulnerable to acid attacks. Without enough saliva to buffer pH levels, enamel is at risk. This person might also need or want to avoid fluoride.
- Ideal Product: MI Paste (Fluoride-Free)
- Why It Works: It steps in to do the job of saliva by neutralizing acid and restoring essential minerals. It's a safe, gentle way to protect your teeth when the body's natural defenses aren't at their best.
4. The High-Risk Individual This is someone who is just naturally prone to cavities, has a diet high in sugar, or is already showing early signs of enamel erosion. Their main focus is stopping tooth decay before it gets worse.
- Ideal Product: MI Paste Plus (with Fluoride)
- Why It Works: In this scenario, fluoride is a non-negotiable. This powerful combination helps create a more acid-resistant tooth surface (fluorapatite), providing the strongest possible defense against decay.
The growing consumer focus on targeted dental health has really fueled the rise of specialized products like these. The global oral care market shows that therapeutic pastes are gaining serious traction as people look for solutions designed for their specific needs. You can dive deeper into these industry trends in oral care products to learn more.
How To Correctly Apply MI Paste Products
To get the most out of either MI Paste or MI Paste Plus, you have to get the application right. These aren't your everyday toothpastes; they're topical cremes formulated for maximum absorption into your tooth enamel. Following the proper steps is the only way to ensure the powerful RECALDENT™ technology can do its job and deliver those essential minerals.
Always start with a clean slate. You need to brush and floss thoroughly before every application to clear away any plaque or food particles. This first step is non-negotiable because the creme needs to make direct contact with your tooth structure for the remineralization process to actually work.
Application Methods and Key Steps
Once your teeth are clean, there are two main ways to apply the product. Both work well, so pick the one that's most comfortable for you or follow your dentist's recommendation.
- Using a Clean Finger or Swab: Just squeeze a pea-sized amount of the paste onto a clean, dry fingertip or a cotton swab. Then, gently rub a thin, even layer over all your tooth surfaces. Pay a little extra attention to any areas that are particularly sensitive or problematic.
- Using Custom Dental Trays: If your dentist has made custom trays for you (they look a lot like whitening trays), this is a fantastic method for ensuring total coverage. Squeeze a small dab of paste into the tray for each tooth and wear it for the amount of time your dentist directs.
After applying the paste, let it sit on your teeth undisturbed for at least three minutes. This is when the magic happens—your saliva helps spread the creme around and activates the key ingredients, allowing the calcium and phosphate ions to start binding to your enamel.
Here's the most important rule to remember: Spit, but don't rinse. After the three minutes are up, just spit out any excess creme. Rinsing with water right away will wash all those beneficial active ingredients down the drain before they've had a chance to work.
For the best possible results, you'll need to avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 30 minutes post-application. This waiting period is critical, giving the minerals the time they need to fully integrate into your tooth's surface. A lot of people find that applying it right before going to sleep is the easiest and most effective routine.
Important Safety Considerations
While both MI Paste and MI Paste Plus are safe for the vast majority of people, there are a couple of very important contraindications to be aware of. The core technology, RECALDENT™, is derived from casein, which is a milk protein.
- Milk Protein Allergy: Do NOT use these products if you have a known or even suspected allergy to milk proteins (casein).
- Benzoate Sensitivity: If you have a sensitivity to benzoate preservatives, you should also avoid using these cremes.
Always take a moment to read the ingredient list and talk to your dentist if you have any worries about potential allergic reactions. For a more detailed walkthrough and some extra tips, check out our complete guide on how to use MI Paste Plus to achieve the best dental benefits.
Got Questions? We've Got Answers.
When you're dealing with specialized dental products like MI Paste and MI Paste Plus, it’s natural to have a few questions. Let's clear up some of the most common ones so you can use these products with confidence and get the best results for your smile.
Can I Use These Instead of My Regular Toothpaste?
This is probably the most frequent question we hear, and the answer is a definite no. Think of MI Paste products not as toothpastes, but as topical cremes specifically formulated for remineralization and sensitivity relief.
Your everyday toothpaste is designed with mild abrasives to physically scrub away plaque, food particles, and surface stains. MI Paste and MI Paste Plus don't contain any of those cleaning agents. Their one and only job is to deliver a therapeutic dose of bioavailable calcium, phosphate, and—in the case of the Plus version—fluoride right where your teeth need it most.
For the best results, see it as a simple two-step routine:
- First, brush your teeth thoroughly with your regular toothpaste to get them clean.
- Then, apply MI Paste or MI Paste Plus as a separate, leave-on treatment.
Why Is There a Warning for Milk Allergies?
The powerhouse active ingredient in both products, RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP), is actually derived from casein, a protein found in milk. This is precisely what makes the paste so incredibly effective at delivering essential minerals to your teeth.
Because of its origin, it can trigger a reaction in anyone with a true milk protein allergy. It's crucial to understand this is entirely different from being lactose intolerant. If you have a known or even suspected allergy to milk proteins, you must avoid using these products altogether.
Safety first, always. The milk protein (casein) is the very heart of the RECALDENT™ technology. For anyone with a casein allergy, using these products poses a serious risk of an allergic reaction and is strictly not recommended.
How Long Does One Tube Usually Last?
You’ll probably be surprised at how long a standard 40g tube of MI Paste or MI Paste Plus lasts. You only need a pea-sized amount for each application, so a little goes a long way. How long it lasts really just depends on how often you use it.
- Once-Daily Application: If you're applying it once a day (most people do this at night), a single tube should last you about three to four weeks.
- Twice-Daily Application: For those needing more intensive therapy and applying it twice daily, a tube will last closer to two to three weeks.
This makes it a very practical and cost-effective way to manage long-term enamel protection and sensitivity.
Is It Safe to Swallow a Small Amount?
Yes, it is completely safe to swallow the small amount of creme that will naturally mix with your saliva after you apply it. The product was designed to be used inside your mouth, so incidental swallowing isn't a concern.
The most important part of the instructions is to spit out any excess paste after the recommended three-minute application time, but do not rinse with water. Avoiding rinsing, eating, or drinking for at least 30 minutes is what gives the active ingredients time to sit on your teeth and do their job. If you rinse right away, you're just washing all those benefits down the drain before they can be absorbed into your enamel.
Ready to give your teeth the professional-grade protection they deserve? At DentalHealth.com, we stock the full range of MI Paste products to help you fight sensitivity and prevent cavities. Shop our collection today and experience the difference. Find the perfect MI Paste for your smile at DentalHealth.com.