While the internet is full of information on what ingredients to look for in good toothpaste, there’s a lot of misinformation out there as well. And that can make it hard to determine what’s true and what isn’t – we talked with our dental experts at our practice to get the real scoop! We know it can be tempting to buy the newest fad in oral health, so the team at Daniel W. Fridh, DDS, created this guide to help determine which are suitable for you and your teeth!
Look At Ingredients
Our team recommends looking for two key ingredients: fluoride and xylitol.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a natural sweetener that helps with dental health by reducing your risk of cavities. Xylitol also helps promote remineralization. Remineralization is when minerals are returned to tooth enamel after they have been weakened or damaged through acids (like those found in sugary snacks). Remineralization strengthens your enamel, making it less porous and resistant to decay against future attacks from sugars like xylitol.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. It’s found naturally in some foods and water, but it’s often added to toothpaste because of its enamel-strengthening properties. But remember, fluoride is only adequate in conjunction with regular brushing and flossing to remove plaque from your teeth!
Which Toothpaste Is Right for You?
Now that we know which ingredients matter most, we can focus on what makes each type of toothpaste different – and which ones are best suited for specific dental needs.
1. Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste feature ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, which can remove surface stains on your teeth.
2. Sensitive Toothpaste
Sensitive toothpaste is enriched with potassium nitrate and strontium chloride, reducing sensitivity caused by acid erosion or hot/cold beverages and foods.
3. Cavity Protection Toothpaste
Cavity protection toothpaste contains fluoride to prevent cavities from forming in your teeth enamel (the hard outer layer) and remineralize the weakened areas of enamel that have been affected by acids produced during the process of eating foods high in sugar content.
What We Recommend for Most Patients
We recommend Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste as an excellent baseline toothpaste that can get you started on the right foot. It removes up to 96% of plaque bacteria along the gum line from gum problems such as gingivitis and tooth sensitivity. Many people with gum disease have a higher risk of developing cavities because the bacteria that cause plaque are also linked to the formation of dental cavities. This toothpaste also contains fluoride to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities, which makes it an excellent choice for those who have sensitive teeth or gums but don’t want to compromise on cavity protection.
Keep Your Dental Visits Regular
The most important thing to remember is that there’s no one-size-fits-all toothpaste. We all have different dental needs, so finding toothpaste and a dental healthcare routine that works best for you is essential.
If you’re serious about your oral hygiene and want to get the most out of your toothpaste, brush for at least two minutes twice a day (yes, twice). That’s not much time—but it’s enough time to make a massive difference in the health of your teeth and gums. And, don’t forget to schedule your six-month cleaning with us! Contact our officeto get an appointment!
