With over 350 different types of kinds of toothpaste to choose from, knowing how to choose the right toothpaste is not always easy. There are many types of toothpaste including whitening, sensitive teeth, and cavity protection. Here are some things to consider when choosing the best toothpaste for your oral health.
How to Choose the Right Toothpaste
Teeth Whitening
Everyone wants a beautiful smile. Thirty-five percent of the toothpaste market is aimed at whiter brighter teeth. But is teeth whitening toothpaste safe and effective?
Many types of whitening toothpaste contain harmful and abrasive particles that mechanically remove coffee, tea, or wine stains, while you brush your teeth. Often, these pastes cause painful sensitivity, especially if you have gum recession exposing the root surface of the tooth.
At All Smiles Family Dentistry, we recommend PerioScience White Care Toothpaste or Sensodyne True White which prevents stains from bonding to the tooth surface.
Bleach Whitening
For an even brighter smile, you may want to bleach your teeth. There are many bleach whitening systems on the market, and some work better than others.
We recommend Opalescence Go Bleach Trays.
Cavity Protection Toothpaste
Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride is a common ingredient often added to toothpaste. Sodium mono fluorophosphate, sodium fluoride, and stannous fluoride are natural elements that are US FDA approved clinically effective in reducing decay (cavities).
Cavity-forming acids occur in your mouth when bacterial plaque feeds on the sugars and carbohydrates that we consume. Brushing with fluoride strengthens the enamel making teeth more resistant to decay.
Carifree CTX4 is a highly effective brand that we suggest.
Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
Some prefer not to have fluoride in their toothpaste for various reasons. Arginine is another naturally occurring amino acid found in healthy saliva that has also been shown to prevent decay. It does so by changing the bacterial composition of the biofilm, making it no longer acidic.
Toms of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste contains the 8% arginine required to be effective against cavities.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is another ingredient commonly found in toothpaste. It is what creates the foaming action when you brush. This ingredient can be the cause of oral irritations. Anyone prone to canker sores (aphthous ulcers) is at a higher risk for developing these painful ulcers when using toothpaste containing SLS.
At All Smiles Family Dentistry, we recommend Sensodyne Fresh Mint toothpaste or PerioScience White Care toothpaste because both are SLS-free.
Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity is most often due to exposed root surfaces. A toothpaste created especially for sensitive teeth can help ease the symptoms of sensitive teeth.
Daily brushing with toothpaste containing potassium nitrate gradually builds a protective layer over the exposed area. This protective layer stops pain signals from traveling via the nerve to the brain. It may take 7-10 days to feel any relief.
Sensodyne brand has many products that help with tooth sensitivity. We also have stronger products available with higher doses of fluoride like Carifree CTX4 if Sensodyne isn’t helping.
Low-Level Laser Therapy
Another option to treat tooth sensitivity is low-level laser therapy. Laser therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that can close off the dentinal tubules (nerve tunnels) controlling tooth sensitivity.
If your tooth sensitivity continues or gets worse, please schedule an appointment at All Smiles Family Dentistry in Omaha. You may have a cracked tooth or a cavity. Sensitive toothpaste will not help these situations.
Consult an Oral Health Professional
These are just a few things to consider when choosing toothpaste. If you do not know which option is best for you, ask us for our guidance.
All Smiles Family Dentistry in Omaha, NE
At All Smiles Family Dentistry, we are proud to provide high-quality care to all our patients both young and old thanks to our compassionate and experienced dental team. We offer a clean and comfortable clinic to help you feel relaxed during your visit. Contact All Smiles Family Dentist.