How to Choose between Toothpastes?

After years of using this ‘particular’ brand of fluoride enriched toothpaste, I had grown weary of the taste and routine. So, off I went to the local convenience store, and with nearly half an hour spent reading through ingredients, it finally dawned on me, ‘I am just utterly clueless about this’. With nearly a hundred of brands and thousands of products to choose from, toothpaste shopping is not as simple as it may seem. However, most pastes can be narrowed down into four broad categories explains a dentist in Chino Hills, California, “Patients choose pastes based on taste, active agents and strengthening properties. Four major types would include whitening, anti-bacterial, sensitivity and cavity protection pastes. The idea here is to choose a paste that suits your teeth and helps you maintain a healthy brushing routine.”

Whitening Toothpaste:

One of the most popular choices, the whitening toothpaste helps you remove teeth stains and maintain a bright, beautiful smile. Most of these toothpastes include peroxide, the same ingredient used by dentists while bleaching. “Some tooth pastes also use abrasive agents that scrub away at the tooth surface. However, prolonged use of such pastes (or gels) may damage the tooth enamel,” explains the dentist in Chino Hills. It is important to use a paste that helps whiten and protect your teeth. A lot of patients opt for baking soda (plus fluoride) paste, a cheaper and safer alternative.

Anti-Bacterial Toothpaste:

Patients suffering from gum problems are often advised to use an anti-bacterial toothpaste containing triclosan. This anti-bacterial agent has made its way to multiple household products including soaps, deodorants, detergents and mouthwashes, however its effectiveness and safety is still under review by the FDA. “Patients suffering from gum disease may opt for a paste including pyrophosphates and zinc citrate. Coupled with chemical compounds these pastes can help control tartar and gum irritation,” explains a Walnut dentist from California.

Sensitivity Protection Toothpaste:

Patients suffering from heightened tooth sensitivity may opt for sensitivity protection pastes. Hypersensitivity may occur due to receding gums or damaged enamel, making it difficult for the patient to consume anything that’s hot or cold. “Strontium chloride and potassium nitrate are two common ingredients used in sensitivity protection pastes. These help block the stimuli reaching the roots through the porous (dentin) surface,” explains the dentist in Chino Hills.

Cavity Protection Toothpaste:

Fluoride enriched toothpastes have been known to protect the tooth from decay. The naturally occurring mineral helps strengthen the tooth enamel and in some case can restore acidic damage through re-mineralization. “Tooth decay is the most common dental problem today. However, the fluoridation process has helped reduce incidence to a great extent,” explains the Walnut dentist while commenting on the use of fluoride in water supply.