Brushing your teeth is essential for maintaining good oral health. Learn about the various types of toothpaste available and how to choose the best one for you.
Toothpaste isn't always the
same as a paste. It comes in the form of a gel, powder, or paste that you brush
onto your teeth and gums to help remove plaque and improve your oral health.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), toothpaste is beneficial to
oral health because it aids in the removal of plaque and bacterial buildup on
teeth, as well as the prevention of periodontal disease (gum disease).
Fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay, is found in
most toothpaste.
What's
in a Tube of Toothpaste?
Depending on the benefits
touted by the particular brand, the exact composition of different tubes of toothpaste may vary slightly (such as whitening teeth or reducing gum inflammation). The
following ingredients are commonly found in tubes of toothpaste:
- Magnesium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, calcium carbonate, hydrated aluminum oxides, and phosphate salts are all gentle abrasives.
- Glycerol, sorbitol, or other "humectants" are ingredients that prevent toothpaste from drying out.
- To give the toothpaste a uniform appearance and texture, thickeners such as seaweed or mineral colloids, synthetic cellulose, or natural gum are used.
- Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to decay.
- Saccharin, for example, is a flavoring agent that does not cause tooth decay.
To make the toothpaste foamy,
detergents like sodium lauryl sarcosinate are used.
How
to Choose the Best Toothpaste for You
It can be overwhelming to try
to find the right toothpaste among the dizzying array of options available in a
typical drugstore aisle. "To navigate the dental 'aisle of confusion,' one
almost needs a Ph.D.," says Richard H. Price, DMD, ADA spokesperson and
former clinical instructor at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of
Dental Medicine.
When selecting toothpaste, the
first step is to ensure that the product is safe and will perform as
advertised. Because they make disease-fighting claims, toothpaste containing
fluoride are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On the
packaging of these products, a standard "drug facts" panel will list
active ingredients, warnings, and other pertinent information.
Kinds of toothpaste without fluoride
are considered cosmetics and thus are not regulated by the FDA. These products
should, however, include a list of ingredients. Avoid any toothpaste that does
not clearly state the ingredients or is not properly labeled to avoid
counterfeit and unregulated products.
If you're looking for more
information about toothpaste, look for the ADA seal of approval. This symbol
indicates that the manufacturer has taken part in an ADA-sponsored voluntary
testing program to assess a product's safety and effectiveness. Any toothpaste that
contains sugar, for example, will not be approved by the ADA.
"You know it'll do what it
says because it has the ADA seal on it," says Dr. Price, who retired from
a 35-year private group dental practice in Newton, Massachusetts.
Fluoride
in Toothpaste: What Does It Mean?
Fluoride is a major component
of toothpaste. Fluoride has numerous advantages for both children and adults.
"Fluoride toothpaste isn't just for kids," says Price. "It's
good for us all our lives." "The fluoride in toothpaste heals and demineralizes
microscopic cavities as they form, hardens the tooth surface, making it more
resistant to bacterial acid attack, and slows the action of acid-producing
bacteria."
Safety
of Fluoride
Although the FDA mandates that
fluoride toothpaste bears a warning label instructing parents to contact a
poison control center if their child consumes a large amount of toothpaste by
accident, the American Dental Association's Council on Scientific Affairs
believes that the FDA warning exaggerates the risks of ingested fluoride to
children. Children cannot swallow enough fluoride from toothpaste during normal
brushing to cause serious problems, according to the American Dental
Association.
Nonetheless, Price advises
limiting children under the age of 5 to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and
supervising their brushing because most young children haven't learned to rinse
rather than swallow after brushing.
Toothpaste
for Specific Gum and Tooth Problems
There's probably toothpaste for
you, no matter what your oral hygiene requirements are.
Look for products with
potassium nitrate or strontium chloride as ingredients if you have sensitive
teeth. Choose a toothpaste with pyrophosphates, triclosan, and zinc citrate to
help prevent gingivitis and tartar buildup. You can also find products that are
designed to help whiten stained teeth or that are formulated with special
abrasives to combat bad breath.
"If you have specific
needs, such as teeth that are sensitive to cold or heat, or tartar buildup
issues, look for kinds of toothpaste with the ADA seal, or ask your dentist for a
recommendation," Price suggests.
We've done some research and found the top five tubes of toothpaste for dental health.
To purchase this item on Amazon, follow the links below.
- Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Teeth Whitening Enamel Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0762LYFKP/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=healthlifekit-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0762LYFKP&linkId=c792eb97eaacaf4e59aa0f70db42ce2e
- Colgate Sensitive Whitening Toothpaste - Gel Formula https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LTHYWB0/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=healthlifekit-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01LTHYWB0&linkId=fecb19d3f3c4d511a038e1468f31b6dd
- Advance to a healthier smile and stronger Teeth with Crest Pro-Health Advanced antibacterial protection https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PWZCP1F/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=healthlifekit-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B08PWZCP1F&linkId=6a40a5171e121d1213e06087b0eacb10
Say hello to naturally friendly antiplaque and whitening fluoride-free toothpaste that tastes awesome and works brilliantly https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HJWFL7C/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=healthlifekit-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07HJWFL7C&linkId=6d8ab7aca9fdf1c8241ec793b18b790a
Crest Toothpaste Gum Detoxify Deep Clean, 4.1oz (Pack of 3)https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0791V11PS/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=healthlifekit-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0791V11PS&linkId=41d29f4aef584a93cf14037f3d7a5f3c
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