As a health practitioner, one of the most common questions I get asked about is which toothpaste to use. Of course, most people are aware of the importance of brushing regularly, but very few actually know which toothpaste is best for them.
The reality is, there are so many different toothpaste brands out there, many of them making quite absurd claims about what they can achieve. One example is toothpaste brands that claim to repair tooth enamel. Unfortunately, tooth enamel can’t be repaired, and if it could, it would take a lot more than toothpaste to make it happen.
So, while we’re not going to recommend certain brands above others, here are some of the different types of toothpaste on the market and their benefits.
Fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride has been a pretty standard component of toothpaste for over a century now. It’s the main ingredient that helps to protect teeth against cavities, decay and the harmful parts of the food and drink we consume.
While fluoride is present in most toothpaste, some products may offer a larger amount, and this is often marketed towards people with decreased or weakened enamel. It’s important to note that an increased presence of fluoride is not able to repair enamel but rather gives you a little protection against further damage.
Teeth whitening toothpaste
The teeth whitening toothpaste industry has certainly boomed in recent years, with many brands offering a range of products claiming to give you bright, pearly whites. While there’s nothing particularly damaging about these products, if you’re paying more for teeth whitening toothpaste, you’re probably getting ripped off.
Unless the toothpaste contains a bleaching agent, which most at the supermarket do not, the colour of your teeth won’t really be altered. Even the fine print on these toothpaste brands states that the ‘whitening’ occurs due to stain removal, not through any proper bleaching treatment.
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth
You’ll probably get a lot of different advice, even within the dental industry, around the effectiveness of sensitive toothpaste. Teeth often become sensitive due to damaged enamel or receding gums. This exposes nerve endings in your teeth, therefore making them more sensitive, especially to the cold.
Sensitive toothpaste is designed to block these nerve endings, and they can be quite effective in doing so. However, once again, these products cannot repair enamel, and they’re not a solution for other issues such as tooth decay. If you experience tooth pain, it’s a much better idea to visit your dentist in East Bentleigh rather than rely on sensitive toothpaste to mask the problem.
Natural toothpaste
This category can vary quite significantly. From charcoal mixes to herbal products, natural toothpaste is becoming more and more popular. The biggest problem with natural toothpastes is that many of them don’t contain fluoride.
Fluoride is a key ingredient of toothpaste, and it’s probably the only vital ingredient that all toothpaste should contain. It’s the best protection against enamel damage because enamel itself is a form of fluoride. So, while many natural products may be great for the environment, they may not always be quite as effective for your teeth.
Find the best dentist in Melbourne
If you want further, more tailored advice about which toothpaste to use for your specific dental needs, contact Verve Dental today. We’re here to help you maintain great dental hygiene, so please contact the office today for an appointment.
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