Tips for Choosing the Right Toothpaste

Choosing the best toothpaste for your oral health needs has the potential to enhance your dental routine. We all have vastly different needs when it comes to our oral health. Some people have cavities, while others suffer from sensitivity, pain or other types of discomfort. The type of toothpaste you choose to combat or alleviate these problems makes a big difference.

Talking to your dentist about your dental health concerns or any issues you’re experiencing with your teeth along with effective preventative care options is a great starting point. Your dentist can give you excellent pointers in terms of what you should be looking for specifically when choosing the right toothpaste for your dental health needs. They might even have a few samples available for you to try out at home.

On that note, here are a few basic tips you might want to consider following in the meantime.

Check the Fluoride Content in Your Toothpaste

Most toothpaste brands (with the exception of all-natural formulas) that are currently on the market—and tap water for that matter—are fortified with or contain fluoride because of its tremendous cavity fighting and preventing properties. Fluoride has been proven to prevent and even improve the effects of tooth decay by strengthening teeth and making them more resistant to bacteria and plaque buildup.

Although fluoride is a natural mineral that can be found in most sources of fresh water and saltwater, as well as in various food items, the Canadian Dental Association doesn’t recommend it for children under the age of six. This is because it was reported that about 16% of children could experience a condition called dental fluorosis if their teeth are exposed to too much fluoride. Dental fluorosis alters the appearance of the teeth by causing small white specks to form on the surface of the teeth when large amounts of fluoride are ingested during childhood.

Make Sure the Toothpaste Is Approved by the CDA

According to the Canadian Dental Association’s web site, they’re “the national voice for dentistry dedicated to the promotion of optimal oral health, an essential component of general health”. As such, the CDA is the nation’s most prominent authority on what constitutes good oral health, as well as the practices and products that can help the general public maintain their dental health. The CDA web site features a long list of dental products that are proven to help achieve this objective. If you’re not sure what kind of dental products you should be using to improve and maintain your oral health, you can talk to your dentist or consult the list of recommended products here.

Read the Labels Carefully

Ingredients are another factor you should take into consideration when choosing an appropriate toothpaste. Not all toothpaste ingredients are suitable for everyone. For instance, many types of toothpaste contain sugars or alternative sweeteners to make the taste more appealing for young children. If this seems counterproductive to improving your oral health, it is.

It’s common knowledge that sugar and certain sweeteners like saccharin, which is a common ingredient in most children’s toothpastes, can actually cause cavities and tooth decay. Calcium carbonate is another common ingredient in most major brand toothpastes that can actually do more harm than good for your teeth. In fact, calcium carbonate is an abrasive compound that’s added to toothpaste to remove stubborn plaque and bacteria but can also erode enamel in the process. Talk to your dentist for more information on potentially harmful ingredients that you should be avoiding in your toothpaste.

Make Selections Based on Your Specific Needs

There are hundreds of different types of toothpastes on the market today and they all boast different capabilities. This makes it hard to know how to identify good toothpaste to suit your specific dental health needs. Ultimately, the type of toothpaste you select should combat the dental health issues you’re experiencing or at the very least offer optimal preventative care.

Here are a few different types of toothpaste you might want to consider depending on what you need.

• Whitening: If it’s a whiter smile that you’re after, then you should look for a toothpaste that specifically advertises itself as a “whitening” toothpaste. However, people with sensitivity issues may want to avoid whitening toothpastes because they contain abrasive ingredients that are formulated to remove surface stains, and this can erode enamel.
• Sensitivity: Tooth sensitivity can make your life a little more difficult because you have to avoid certain hot or cold foods and beverages. Fortunately, there are certain toothpastes on the market that can help relieve varying degrees of sensitivity. Whether you experience mild or severe tooth sensitivity, there’s a toothpaste out there that’s right for you. Consult your dentist for recommendations.
• Tartar Control: Tartar is that yellowed and hardened layer of plaque that sits on your teeth. Not only is tartar difficult to remove by just flossing and brushing, but if it goes untreated for too long, it can actually cause severe tooth decay. Tartar control toothpastes typically contain strong chemical ingredients like zinc citrate and pyrophosphates that combat and prevent further tartar accumulation on your teeth.
• All-Natural: If you’re concerned about abrasive ingredients or sugar in your toothpaste, then your best bet is to choose an all-natural toothpaste instead; however, you still need to make sure it has fluoride.

Make an Appointment at Princeview Dental Group

Of course, the best preventative dental care is to visit your dentist at least once every six months. At Princeview Dental Group, we offer extensive oral health care in the form of cleanings and checkups. We can also recommend the best toothpaste for you based on a thorough examination of your oral health. To learn more about our services, please contact us today!