How would you choose your toothpaste?

How would you choose your toothpaste?

Toothpaste is an everyday essential for people. It aids in oral hygiene by helping to keep the teeth clean. Many brands of toothpaste offer different ingredients to help treat a variety of dental needs. 

Toothpaste comes in various flavors and ingredients, which offers patients many choices. Therefore, it is necessary to consider multiple factors before purchasing a kind of toothpaste. The kind of toothpaste that is best for you depends on your dental and oral needs.

Fluoride Content

Other than its main purpose of helping to clean teeth and freshen breath, toothpaste often contains fluoride. It is a mineral that helps to keep the enamel strong and tough. It is an essential ingredient that also helps to keep cavities and tooth decay at bay. Fluoride also helps to reverse acid damage by remineralizing areas of decay. Recent studies show that fluoride also helps with tooth sensitivity. 

Fluoride is, therefore, a significant element to look for when choosing toothpaste for daily use. However, there are varieties of toothpaste that do not contain fluoride. Because of this, it is best to make sure that the toothpaste you are considering lists fluoride as an ingredient on its’ label. 

Sensitivity

Sensitivity is a significant problem for those who cannot tolerate food or drinks of extreme temperature. While fluoride helps lessen sensitivity, sometimes stronger help is needed. Some brands of toothpaste provide this extra relief from sensitivity. They contain potassium nitrate or strontium chloride, which slowly provides relief. It helps block the tooth pathways to the nerves, which prevents the extreme temperature from hitting the nerves in our teeth. 

Be leary of kinds of toothpaste that claim to remove stains from smoking or coffee and tea. Many of these toothpastes contain materials that are too abrasive and, over time, can actually harm teeth. Thankfully many of these overly abrasive toothpastes have been taken off the market. If you try a toothpaste that feels sandy or gritty, it may be too abrasive for daily use, and it would be best to get rid of it. 

Dr. Vose, as well as our hygienists Sara and Paula, can discuss which toothpastes would be best for your particular concerns and needs. 

There are various other tips on how to choose the ideal toothpaste. Many patients have health conditions and dental needs that require discussion with a dental professional to determine which toothpastes, mouth rinses, toothbrushes, and other tools to help maintain the best possible oral health. To learn which products are best for your particular needs, contact Vose Family Dentistry at 507-387-2255 and receive a complete oral checkup to ensure that your dental hygiene is maintained and to know the best products for your teeth. 

Vose Family Dentistry

220 E Main St., Mankato, MN 56001

Phone: (507) 387-2255

Email: Vosedds@hickorytech.net

MON - THU : 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

FRI - SUN : Closed