9
Jul, 2015
What’s the right toothpaste for me?
With so many types of toothpaste available, it is easy to be confused when standing in the toothpaste aisle at the grocery store. While most toothpastes offer basic teeth cleaning benefits, some also offer special features, including relief from sensitivity, stain removal, or protection against tartar.
ADA Seal of Acceptance
Always choose a toothpaste that carries the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. This logo appears on the packaging of toothpastes that the ADA has judged to be safe and effective products for teeth cleaning. These approved toothpastes typically contain fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel.
Toothpastes for sensitive teeth
If you experience tooth or gum pain when eating hot or cold foods, then sensitive toothpaste could help you. Toothpaste for sensitive teeth blocks the dentin tubules that expose the sensitive dental pulp inside the tooth to painful stimuli.
If you have ongoing tooth or mouth pain, you should have a dental checkup to check for conditions that could be causing the sensitivity, such as thin enamel. Your family dentist can advise you about the treatments available to address your sensitive teeth, which might include desensitizing toothpaste.
Whitening toothpastes
Whitening toothpaste removes stains from the surfaces of teeth to leave them looking whiter. Many people develop stains as a result of drinking coffee, red wine, or tea, or from smoking cigarettes. Professional teeth whitening is one option for removing these stains, and it can be carried out in many Massachusetts family dentistry practices. Using a whitening toothpaste can help to keep stains at bay between whitening treatments.
Toothpastes for bad breath
Bad breath is an embarrassing but very common problem. Bacteria in the mouth are often responsible for causing bad breath. Using a toothpaste that contains an antibacterial ingredient, such as triclosan, could help to reduce bad breath.
Tartar control toothpastes
Plaque is a thin film of bacteria that quickly builds up on your teeth. If plaque is not removed through daily teeth cleaning, then it can harden into tartar, a scaly deposit that is very difficult to remove at home. Tartar can irritate gum tissues, leading to gum pain or even gum disease.
All toothpastes help to remove plaque from the surface of your teeth. Tartar control toothpastes also help to prevent plaque from hardening into tartar. This kind of toothpaste could help to extend the effects of a professional teeth cleaning, keeping your teeth feeling smooth and clean for longer.
Getting help to choose the right toothpaste for you
You can ask your family dentist for advice about the type of toothpaste you should use at a regular dental checkup or other dentist appointment. For example, if you have sensitive teeth that are prone to staining, your best dentist-recommended toothpaste might be a whitening toothpaste that is specially designed to protect sensitive teeth.
By choosing the right toothpaste and having regular dental visits, you can protect your teeth from decay and maintain a healthy smile. If you need further advice, contact your family dentist in Melrose, Reading or Winchester for help.