Standing in the toothpaste aisle in the grocery store can be overwhelming. Why are there so many choices and what are the differences between them all? Which one is right for me? Oral hygiene can ward off a host of diseases, so it’s important we choose the one that is best for our mouth. Your dentists at Millennium Family Dental in Meridian can help.
When trying to choose the right toothpaste, it’s hard to know if we should look at the price, or if we should attempt to read the ingredients. Most of us are not chemists and probably don’t know what the ingredients are or what they do. It feels a little like our oral hygiene isn’t quite in our own hands. We want our toothpaste to clean our mouth, but we’ve also got other things to look out for. Depending on the make-up of our mouth and the food and drinks we consume, different toothpastes will be right for different people. Let’s look at some of the important features of toothpaste and the cool things they can do.
Finding the Right Toothpaste
Sensitive Teeth
Some teeth are sensitive. The cause can come from worn tooth enamel, tooth decay from acidic drinks, broken teeth that reveal dentin, and loose fillings. To find a toothpaste that helps with sensitivity, look for 5 percent potassium nitrate. It blocks receptors that tell your brain the cold or hot is painful. It also helps to let the toothpaste sit on your teeth for a while (you can spit, but don’t rinse for 20 minutes).
Gum Disease
If gum disease is a worry for you, it’s less about the toothpaste and more about how you brush. Plaque that gets stuck near your gums is the cause, so making sure you gently brush everywhere twice a day is the trick.
Teeth Whitening
Want whiter teeth? Most regular toothpastes won’t have much of an effect. Instead of having your dentist bleach your teeth, specialized toothpastes that have calcium peroxide and carbamide peroxide which, when mixed, do a pretty good job.
Organic Toothpaste
What about organic and natural toothpastes? Are they as effective? Sure, they can be. Just make sure that it is FDA-approved and that it contains a fluoride ingredient.
Contact Millennium Family Dental Today!
For more information and a personalized recommendation, schedule an appointment with one of the best dentists in Meridian and we’ll help you determine the right toothpaste for you.