You may already have some idea about what you think makes for a good toothpaste. But there are so many to choose from, including natural, aggressive, or special toothpastes, that it’s difficult to know exactly what they are and what differs them from each other? How do you pick one?
Here are some pointers to help you make that decision.
Ask Your Dentist For A Recommendation
This should always be your first step. Your dentist will know your specific dental condition and requirements. They will be familiar with any problems you might face and will be able to give you an optimal recommendation depending on your individual needs – like a whitening, strengthening, or desensitizing toothpaste for example. Although you can get whatever you like from the recommended category, some specific products are better suited to specific needs. Your dentist will also give you the expert advice on what to avoid.
Fluoride Is Your Friend
Some people point to studies published in the American Journal of Pediatrics and Better Nutrition, which appear to have found some problems with fluoride content in toothpaste. However, basically every kind of toothpaste you can find will contain fluoride, and this is a good thing according to experts such as Hawthorn Smiles Dental in Richmond, Victoria.
Fluoride is proven to fight cavities, helping to keep your teeth strong and resilient. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day, but make sure to keep any mouth rinses that contain any fluoride formulations away from children under six years of age, as it is likely to discolour their teeth.
Sensitive Teeth Are White Enough
If you happen to have sensitive teeth, you should steer clear of whitening effect toothpaste. These contain powerful chemical agents which may irritate your gums and mouth or make whatever symptoms you have even worse. If you really want to achieve a brighter smile, speak to your dentist about some gentler whitening alternatives which will not put that much additional strain on your teeth and surrounding area.
Pay Attention To The Label
There are several types of toothpaste which are meant to be used only by adults and children older than a certain age. Others are tricky when used for a prolonged period of time – they may introduce some consequences, and you need to consult your dentist before you decide on any prolonged use of these products. Reading labels is a tedious matter, but still make sure to do it thoroughly.
The list of ingredients can tell you a lot, as well. Make sure you understand what every item is. The more ingredients a toothpaste has, the higher a chance you have to be sensitive to one, or even develop an outright allergy, especially to sweeteners or flavouring.
Look For The ADA Stamp On It
A proper, safe, effective toothpaste will have been sealed in approval by the American Dental Association. This guarantees that the product meets the tight requirements of safety and quality, and you can learn more about that at this web page. However, there are still many brands of excellent toothpaste that do not have this seal of approval, because participation in that program is entirely a voluntary thing. Therefore, this is more of a casual signpost than an absolute criterion for choosing what to purchase.
Avoid The Sweetened Varieties
It is quite ironic in the first place that toothpaste which is supposed to maintain the health of your teeth and protect them from damage, would contain excess sugar or artificial sweeteners. Some do, nonetheless, and so they beat their own purpose.
Some little sugar is okay to have, but try to avoid anything that has a strong sweet taste. This is especially a problem for children’s toothpastes, which tend to be overloaded with sugar. Always keep a sharp eye on their labels.
Be Extra Careful With The “Natural” Products
If you are considering purchasing a batch of natural toothpaste form a holistic manufacturer, or if you are thinking of giving it a go yourself with some appealing recipe you found online, stop and check each individual ingredient. Understand them all.
A toothpaste that is based on salt and baking soda will obviously be safe to ingest, since it is made from edible ingredients. But what does the manufacturer add into that base? Natural toothpaste is categorised as a herbal supplement, not truly regulated by the FDA.
*collaborative post
