How to choose a toothpaste based on your oral needs?

It is that time again when you have to buy new toothpaste. But wait! Do you know which to choose? How can you be sure that the kind of toothpaste you picked up from the shelf is good for your teeth and gums? In this article, you will learn about the types of toothpaste you find on the market and the best way of finding out which one is best for you.

Basic knowledge about toothpaste

There are many types of toothpaste. Some are available in gel and some in the paste, but indifferent of their looks, the main ingredients are basically the same.

• Abrasive agents are scratchy materials that help remove the plaque, bacteria and certain surface stains from your teeth.
• Flavoring or artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin, are used in toothpaste to give it a better taste. Today most toothpastes are minty, but you can also find cinnamon, bubblegum, or lemon-lime flavored toothpaste.
• Gel and paste formulas may contain substances such as glycerol that prevent the toothpaste from drying out.
• Thickeners agents are added to the toothpaste to help achieve a proper texture.
• Detergents are present in the toothpaste to aid the brushing.

Fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride is considered the most important ingredient in toothpaste because this naturally occurring mineral can fight tooth decay. The bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars in the foods and beverages you consume. The fluoridated toothpaste helps annihilate the acids released by these bacteria, making the protective layer of your teeth (the enamel) stronger. You should use fluoride toothpaste daily twice to ensure your teeth receive as much fluoride as they need. In the US most of the municipal water is fluoridated to help the population strengthen their teeth.

Tartar-control toothpaste

The bacteria need to be removed from your mouth daily, if not they will deposit forming plaque. Plaque is the accumulation of bacteria you find on your teeth in the morning (when you wake up). If plaque resides too long in the mouth, it could turn into tartar, which is a calcified plaque. Tartar is hard to remove from your teeth, and you will have to go to your dentist to clean them professionally.

The tartar control toothpaste contains a variety of ingredients that prevent the buildup of tartar. Zinc citrate and pyrophosphates are added because they have proven to be very efficient against tartar. Certain tartar-control toothpastes have anti-plaque agents that impede the formation of plaque in your mouth.

Whitening toothpaste

The people who desire to improve the color of your teeth may choose the whitening toothpaste. This type of toothpaste contains small quantities of bleachers and certain chemicals that remove the surface staining.

Sensitivity toothpaste

This kind of toothpaste is designed to help you if your teeth have become sensitive to hot or cold foods and beverages. The sensitivity toothpaste will lower the discomfort sensation, and you can be sensitive-free in 5-7 days.

Kid’s toothpaste

This type of toothpaste contains special ingredients that make it seem more appealing to children, and it has lower levels of fluoride than adult toothpaste.

For more information about what toothpaste you need you can schedule an appointment with your dentists and based on your checkup, the dental specialist can recommend you what type of toothpaste you need.