Choosing the right toothpaste can be difficult with so many kinds and flavours available at your local store. How does one know which one they should choose?
Whether you are deciding on toothpaste for whitening, tartar control, enamel strengthening or sensitivity, there are some key ingredients that must be present in right proportion in your toothpaste.
Before making your purchase, Thornton Dental suggests you take a minute to peruse the ingredient section to make sure they contain what you need and have certification or approval from a recognised professional body.
What is Toothpaste?
The fundamental ingredients should include:
- Abrasive agents like calcium carbonate and silica gels to scrub bacteria, food, and stains from the surface of your teeth and gums.
- Detergents or foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulfate to produce suds assisting the abrasive agents in the cleaning process.
- Humectants like glycerol to retain moisture.
- Thickeners like various gums and seaweed molecules to thicken the paste and give it a distinctive texture.
- Flavouring to make toothpaste better to taste.
Now that we have covered the key ingredients of toothpaste, let’s examine the various types of toothpaste available in the market.
Fluoride Toothpastes
Fluoride toothpastes make up more than 95% of all toothpaste sales. It is well recognised that the decline in the prevalence of dental caries recorded in most industrialised countries over the past 30 years is mainly attributable to the widespread use of toothpaste that contain fluoride. Investigations into the effectiveness of adding fluoride to toothpaste have been carried out since 1945 and cover a wide range of active ingredients in various abrasive formulations.
Fluoride compounds and their combinations which have been tested for the control of dental decay include sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate and amine fluoride.
So, the first recommendation we usually make at Thornton Dental is that you consider a toothpaste containing fluoride.
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes remove stains on the teeth. Whitening toothpastes that use a bleaching method such as peroxide can remove both deep and surface stains on the teeth. Some whitening toothpastes remove stains through chemical or physical actions instead of bleach. These only remove surface stains of the teeth.
Because they only address surface stains, take regular use, and can be associated with dental issues such as sensitivity, at Thornton Dental we recommend that patients interested in teeth-whitening get our in-office or convenient at-home whitening treatments.
Then, once your teeth are where you want them to be, you can consider a teeth whitening toothpaste.
Tartar-fighting toothpastes
How they work: Pyrophosphates, Triclosan, Zinc citrate or Sodium Hexametaphosphate are ingredients in tartar- control toothpastes that can help prevent buildup of hardened deposits in teeth. Because these toothpastes cannot remove tartar, they should be used after a complete teeth cleaning at Thornton Dental that includes tartar removal.
Sensitive Teeth Toothpaste
A person’s teeth can be sensitive for many reasons, but the most common reason is that their enamel has thinned, and nerves have become exposed. This causes teeth to hurt whenever you eat or drink hot or cold food items.
Toothpastes for this condition typically contain potassium nitrate or strontium chloride, which are compounds that block the pathways in your teeth that are attached to the nerve. Usually, a person needs to use this kind of toothpaste for about a month before it will start taking effect.
If you do have sensitive teeth, also be certain to visit Thornton Dental to determine if there is an underlying issue that should be addressed.
Children’s Toothpaste
When shopping for toothpaste for your entire family, it is important to note that your kids should have their own. Start with a training toothpaste for toddlers, as it is completely safe to swallow. Children’s toothpaste is the best choice for older kids. It is very similar to adult toothpaste, but it typically comes in flavors that are more appealing to kids, and it contains less fluoride.
Your Trusted Family Dental Clinic in Thornton
You can see there are many toothpaste options and at Thornton Dental we would love to have you come by for a consultation about which toothpaste is best for you!
Thornton Dental is committed to the promotion of good dental health and the education of all patients to help them achieve a beautiful, healthy smile for life.
All procedures at Thornton Dental are carried out using state-of-the-art equipment in modern, friendly facilities, which offer the convenience of extended opening hours.
Thornton Dental serves the community of Thornton, Beresfield, Tarro, Woodberry, East Maitland, Chisholm, Raymond Terrace, Green hills, Metford, Ashtonfield, Tenambit, Morpeth, Lorn, Bolwarra Heights, and surrounding areas of Maitland.
Our Special Offers
At Thornton Dental, our goal is to make quality dental care affordable. We encourage you to take advantage of our latest offers. To find out more, visit our special offers page today!
Call us on (02) 4966 2996 or book your appointment online today!
