What Is MI Paste Used For?
Short answer
GC MI Paste is a tooth creme that supplies calcium and phosphate to the teeth. GC, the manufacturer, lists its uses as general tooth sensitivity, sensitivity from whitening, use before and after professional cleanings, and everyday preventive care. You apply it after brushing and leave it on.
What does MI Paste do?
Its active ingredient is RECALDENT, also called CPP-ACP, a milk-derived protein that carries calcium and phosphate to the tooth surface. Those are the minerals enamel is made of, and replacing them is called remineralization.
What are GC's listed uses?
- General tooth sensitivity.
- Sensitivity from tooth whitening.
- Before and after professional cleaning.
- Everyday preventive care.
- Use during pregnancy and while nursing.
- Children, including those under six.
What does the research show?
A 2019 review and meta-analysis in BMC Oral Health pooled clinical and laboratory studies of CPP-ACP on white spot lesions, the chalky patches that are an early stage of enamel mineral loss. The authors concluded that CPP-ACP showed excellent remineralization effects in both clinical and laboratory research.
In a 2016 clinical trial in Progress in Orthodontics, people with white spots left after braces used a CPP-ACP creme twice a day alongside fluoride toothpaste. Their white spots improved significantly over six months.
Does MI Paste help white spots after braces?
That is the use the 2016 trial above looked at. People who used a CPP-ACP creme twice a day with fluoride toothpaste saw a significant improvement in their white spots after six months.
Is MI Paste safe for kids?
GC lists children under six among its uses, and describes the MI Paste family as safe for all children and adults who are not allergic to milk protein or hydroxybenzoates.
Who should not use MI Paste?
Anyone with a milk protein allergy or an allergy to hydroxybenzoates, a type of preservative. If a reaction occurs, GC's direction is to stop using it, rinse with water and seek medical advice.
How do you use MI Paste?
- Brush and floss as normal.
- Apply a pea sized amount with a clean fingertip or cotton swab.
- Leave it on for at least 3 minutes.
- Spit out the excess but do not rinse, and avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes.
GC recommends at least once a day for prevention. For sensitivity, it suggests twice a day at first, then once a day for 4 to 6 weeks.
Sources and evidence
- Ma and colleagues, BMC Oral Health (2019): review and meta-analysis of CPP-ACP on white spot lesions.
- Singh and colleagues, Progress in Orthodontics (2016): white spots after braces, six months.
- GC America, "The MI Paste Family": listed uses, children, allergy warning, directions.
Related questions
Does MI Paste help with sensitivity after whitening?
GC lists it as one of its uses. See the full answer.
Is MI Paste a toothpaste?
No. It is used after brushing, not in place of it.
Does teeth whitening damage enamel?
Research has not shown lasting damage when used as directed. See the full answer.
Relevant products
General information only, not dental advice.