It’s no surprise that selecting the right toothpaste can be an overwhelming task. From the packaging to the names to the flavors, the options are vast. If you don’t know what’s most important for your personal health, how do you choose…?
What Exactly Is Toothpaste?
Toothpaste is a gel or paste substance applied to a toothbrush to assist in the removal of food and plaque from your teeth. The most common ingredients include:
- Fluoride – The critical mineral to fighting tooth decay.
- Sorbitol – A sweetening agent that doesn’t cause cavities.
- Glycerol – The ingredient that keeps the toothpaste from drying out.
- Calcium carbonate – A common abrasive that helps remove plaque, debris, and surface stains.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SSL) – The ingredient that creates the bubbly action.
So How Do I Choose?
The most important thing to know about your toothpaste is that it has fluoride. If it doesn’t, find a different brand. If you are uneasy about any of the other ingredients listed above (some people have a sensitivity to SSL, for instance), shop for natural products that have the American Dental Association seal of approval.
Why Are There So Many Types of Toothpaste?
Different strokes for different folks. Everyone has particular needs, so find the product that makes the most sense for you.
- Whitening – There are many of these on the market to choose from, but know that none of them genuinely whiten. Instead, they use scrubbing materials to remove stains from the surface of your teeth.
- Tartar Control – These products don’t remove tartar, though they help it from accumulating.
- Desensitizing – Sensitive teeth is a painful condition. Desensitizing kinds of toothpaste work by creating a barrier and blocking irritants from reaching the nerves.
- Gum Health – Although they are not a professional gum disease treatment, gum health toothpaste can control dental plaque and help prevent the possibility of gum disease in the future.
Whatever you choose, remember to make it a part of your daily practice to brush at least twice a day for two minutes. Up that game by flossing once a day and visiting your dentist twice a year. Have questions about toothpaste or anything else? Contact us or call 828.277.5024.
