While your choice of dentist plays a crucial role in the overall state of your oral health, much of the responsibility of keeping your mouth, tooth and gum care in check is on you.
Your dentist can really only do so much for you, your oral health care is a matter of good personal habits first, and a great dentist, second.
Toothpaste is one of the most basic elements of personal oral health care. With so many types and brands of toothpaste to choose from, how do you make sure that you are buying the right kind?
More importantly, how do you make sure that you are buying the kind that works best for your unique oral concerns?
Let’s begin this long discussion about toothpaste shopping with this: knowing your options.
Types of Toothpaste
Check out your most popular options:
1) Anti-microbial Fluoride Toothpaste.
This naturally occurring mineral acts as an abrasive – helping remove stains, food particles, and other impurities found in the teeth.
Anti-microbial kinds of toothpaste are some of your most generic toothpaste options.
2) Fluoride-free Toothpaste.
This is how fluoride-free tubes of toothpaste became a popular alternative, especially for children’s tubes of toothpaste.
This new kind of kinds of toothpaste uses a chemical called ‘Xylitol,’ which is non-toxic and safe to ingest.
Xylitol is also a sugar-free alternative to fluoride, making Xylitol kinds of toothpaste a great option for diabetics.
3) Tartar Control Toothpaste.
Tartar is the buildup of plaque on the surface of your teeth. Left unattended, tartar can cause nasty gum disease.
Tartar cannot be completely removed by toothpaste and only a dentist can totally rid your mouth of tartar.
What tartar control toothpaste actually does is prevent plaque from building up and forming tartar.
Anti-tartar tubes of toothpaste that contain the antibacterial substance triclosan help stop the buildup of bacteria in the mouth.
4) Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth.
The sensitive tooth is a phenomenon in which eating/drinking cold, hot, salty, and sweet food and drinks cause a quick jolt of pain to the tooth and gums.
These are due to openings in your teeth that lead to the nerve endings.
Sensitivity tubes of toothpaste usually contain such active ingredients as strontium chloride or potassium nitrate, which seal any pathway leading to the nerves to avoid sensitivity.
5)Whitening Toothpaste.
These kinds of toothpaste can either be bought at your dentist’s office or over the counter.
They contain abrasives as whiteners, rather than the bleaching agents found in other whitening kits.
Tips For Buying Toothpaste
a) Look for the ADA Seal.
It is an assurance that your toothpaste of choice has been checked and approved for safety and effectiveness.
b) Avoid Unfamiliar Brands.
Bogus tubes of toothpaste may contain potentially toxic substances or may be completely ineffective. Should you be interested in trying out a new brand, consult with your dentist first.
c) Know your Individual Needs.
Do you need most as far as oral health care is concerned? What are your child’s problem areas?
d) Always visit your San Diego dentist for specialty procedures.
Tartar removal and effective whitening are better done at the dentist’s office.
e) Remember that no toothpaste can replace good oral hygiene.
Practice good oral habits and start your kids early.
To keep your gums and teeth healthy at all times, go to Irresistible Smiles! Our team of experts can take care of everything you need. Contact us at our offices in San Diego (858-755-8993) or Chula Vista (619-656-6785) and set up a free consultation.