Choosing the right toothpaste can depend on your specific dental needs and personal preferences. Here are somethings to consider when selecting a toothpaste:
1. Fluoride content of toothpaste
Fluoride is a key ingredient that helps prevent tooth decay and strengthens enamel. Most toothpastes contain fluoride, but if you have a higher risk of cavities, look for toothpaste with a higher fluoride concentration. According to the NHS guidelines Adults should use a toothpaste that contains at least 1,350 parts per million (ppm) fluoride.
Children don’t need to use special children’s toothpaste. Children of all ages can use family toothpaste, as long as it contains 1,350 to 1,500ppm fluoride. Children aged 3 and under who don’t have tooth decay can use a lower strength children’s toothpaste, but make sure it contains at least 1,000ppm fluoride.Children under the age of 3 should use just a smear of toothpaste. Children aged 3 to 6 years should use a pea-sized blob of toothpaste. Make sure children don’t lick or eat toothpaste from the tube.
2. Tartar control
Some toothpaste brands offer tartar control formulations, which help prevent the formation of tartar on your teeth. If you frequently experience tartar buildup, consider a toothpaste with tartar control properties.
3. Enamel Building toothpaste
There are some new products on the market that claim to re enamel teeth. Since enamel erosion does cause cavities this sounds wonderful, but do bear in mid that flouride is a key ingredient in enamel protection and most tooth pastes contact this anyway. A more expensive but potentially useful option is Unilever’s Regenerate Enamel Science Advanced toothpaste and serum which claims to help re-enamel teeth.
4. Whitening toothpastes
Whitening properties: Many toothpaste brands claim to have whitening properties that can help remove surface stains and enhance the brightness of your teeth. If you’re interested in teeth whitening, it is better to have teeth whitening done porfessionally at your dentist than using abrasive toothpastes.
5. Toothpaste for Sensitivity
If you have sensitive teeth or gums, select a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth. These toothpastes typically contain ingredients that help alleviate sensitivity and provide relief. desensitising toothpastes will be more effective if you reduce the acidic food and drinks you consume between meals. There are three types of ingredients used in toothpastes to help with sensitivity these are:
Potassium nitrate is the desensitising ingredient found in Sensodyne Original – perhaps the most well-known toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth. Please note that – it can take up to two weeks to be effective.
Stannous fluoride is found across Oral B’s Pro-Expert range and also in Sensodyne’s Rapid Relief toothpaste. It works very quickly.
Arginine is Colgate’s weapon of choice against sensitivity. It should start working rapidly.
6. Herbal toothpastes
Be careful when buying natural or herbal toothpastes. If you prefer natural or herbal products, there are toothpaste options available that use natural ingredients such as tea tree oil, neem, or herbal extracts. Keep in mind that not all natural toothpastes contain fluoride, so check the label to ensure you are getting enough flouride from your tooth paste.
7. Environmentally friendly toothpaste
For those who are concerned about the environmental impact of toothpaste, tablet options are available in glass jars this cuts down on the tooth paste tubes which can be difficult to recycle: Which has an article about toothpaste tube recycling.
8. Personal taste and preferences
Lastly, consider your personal preferences, such as flavour, texture, and brand reputation. Toothpaste comes in various flavours like mint, cinnamon, or fruit, so choose one that you find pleasant and enjoyable to use. You are much ore likely to brush your teeth regularly if you enjoy the experience.
It’s important to remember that regular brushing, along with proper technique and frequency, is more critical for maintaining good oral health than the specific toothpaste brand. Ask us for a recommendation nex time you are at the dental wave and we can help you find the right tooth paste based on your individual dental needs.
