How to choose the perfect toothpaste
Your toothbrush and toothpaste are the cornerstone of your dental hygiene routine. They’re also the key for avoiding dental problems. Therefore, you want to make sure that you’re using a good toothpaste.
But there’s so many different kinds of toothpaste on the market that it’s almost impossible to know which one is the best. There’s whitening toothpaste, anti-cavity toothpaste, toothpaste designed to protect your gums, toothpaste for sensitive teeth, flavoured toothpaste… the list goes on. So in this post, we’ll clear up the confusion and help you to decide which toothpaste is right for you.
Which toothpaste is best?
The truth is that there is no one best toothpaste. Instead, you need to choose a toothpaste that best suits your own individual needs. This means the best toothpaste for you might not be the best toothpaste for your partner or your children.
So how do I decide which toothpaste is right for me?
To find the toothpaste best suited to your needs, you first need to decice what your needs are. Do you want to whiten your teeth? Do you want to take extra precautions against cavities? Or do you need a toothpaste that’s kind on your sensitive teeth?
If you frequently suffer from cavities, then you should choose a toothpaste high in fluoride and calcium. These two minerals help to prevent cavities by strengthening enamel. Ideally, you should choose a toothpaste with a fluoride level of 1,450 ppm or higher.
If you have diabetes, then you’ll also need a toothpaste high in fluoride. This is because diabetics are at a higher risk of a mouth infection than the general population.
If you suffer from sensitive teeth, then you should avoid whitening toothpaste. This is because whitening toothpaste contains aggressive abrasives that can damage your enamel and make your teeth even more sensitive. Manufacturers of whitening toothpastes include these abrasives because they’re supposed to polish the surface of your teeth and remove surface stains. However, the abrasives can also cause your teeth to become more sensitive. For this reason, if you have sensitive teeth, your best option is to look for a toothpaste that regenerates your enamel instead of wearing your enamel down
If it’s whiter teeth you’re after, the best option is to undergo a teeth whitening treatment at a dental clinic. We don’t recommend whitening toothpaste because the effects doesn’t last long and people are rarely happy with the results. What’s more, whitening toothpaste contains aggressive abrasives that wear down your enamel over time.
If you suffer from inflamed or bleeding gums, then you should opt for a toothpaste especially designed to combat gingivitis.
Children under the age of three should avoid toothpaste high in fluoride. You should also only use a small smear of toothpaste to clean their teeth.
Children over the age of three can use adult toothpaste, as long as they use no more than a pea-sized amount at a time. Some toothpastes are flavoured and this can be a good way to get kids enthusiastic about brushing their teeth. Let your children choose a flavour they like, such as strawberry or bubble-gum. Just make sure that your children understand they’re not meant to swallow the toothpaste.
Still have questions?
If you’d like to discuss any dental issue with us, whether it’s toothpaste or anything else, then don’t hesitate to make an appointment with a member of our friendly dental team.
