As you know, brushing your teeth is an important part of keeping your smile healthy. This will help remove bacteria, plaque, and food particles from your smile to lessen your risk of developing cavities. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush will help you prevent enamel damage, but how can you tell what type of toothpaste to use? Read on to learn about how to choose toothpaste as we detail the benefits of four different kinds.
#1: Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally occurring. It is released from rocks into the water, soil, and air. Fluoride has been found to be effective at protecting our teeth from cavities, so it is a popular ingredient in many kinds of toothpaste. It does this by strengthening weakened tooth enamel, which is the protective outer layer of the tooth.
#2: Desensitizing Toothpaste
Since enamel protects your smile from harm, your teeth will likely be more sensitive if it becomes damaged. If eating or drinking hot or cold foods or beverages results in increased sensitivity, this is likely a sign that your enamel has been worn down or weakened.
Desensitizing toothpaste often contains fluoride and either potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. Potassium nitrate prevents nerve impulses from causing dental pain. Strontium chloride blocks openings in the dental tubules that run through the tooth, which prevents stimuli from reaching the nerves. This means that this type of toothpaste can help with sensitivity while also strengthening your smile.
#3: Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is a popular way to remove stains from one’s smile. It usually contains abrasives like baking soda or charcoal. These are meant to buff stains out of your teeth. Though whitening toothpaste is sometimes effective at improving the look of a person’s smile, it can lead to enamel damage if used too often since it is too abrasive for the teeth.
#4: Tartar Control Toothpaste
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth when bacteria in the mouth mix with the sugar or starch in the foods we eat. If you don’t brush your teeth often enough, plaque will turn into a hard, calcified deposit called tartar. This makes it difficult to properly brush and floss. Be sure to pick a toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. This will ensure that it will safely and effectively reduce your risk of tooth decay.
As you can see, there are several different kinds of toothpaste. Though it can be hard to know how to choose toothpaste, keep the above information in mind next time you’re in the dental care aisle to make the right choice for your pearly whites!
About the Practice
Dr. Donald T. Bond and Dr. Timothy D. Ganfield are the skilled dentists at White Clay Dental who take pride in offering patients a variety of exceptional treatments. They enjoy using their wide range of skills in the dental health field to beautify the smiles of those living in and near their community. They can help you learn more about how to choose toothpaste so you can keep your smile healthy and bright. If you want more information on White Clay Dental’s services or to make an appointment with their team, visit their website or call them at (302) 731-4225.