Exploring Your Toothpaste Options

Walk down any toothpaste isle and you will surely see that the choices of toothpastes on the market are staggering. You can get toothpaste for children, sensitive teeth, dentures and pastes that promise to make your teeth healthier, stronger and whiter. If you just want a tube of toothpaste, you can certainly be confused after visiting the store. So, what are your options when it comes to toothpaste? If you are looking for toothpaste consider the following options:

Pastes for sensitive teeth: If you have sensitive teeth (teeth that hurt when exposed to hot or cold foods and beverages), then you might want to look at toothpastes that are made for sensitive teeth. These pastes are made to help desensitize the tooth because they contain products that coat and provide protection. Many brands of toothpaste carry a line of sensitive products. If that is what you need, check the labels.

Baking Soda toothpastes: You may find several types of toothpastes that contain baking soda. Baking soda is abrasive and can help your teeth feel cleaner and help freshen your breath. There is no real medical reason for using baking sods and if you like the way baking soda makes your mouth feel, then you can buy a box of Arm & Hammer and add a small amount to your tooth brush when your brush. You might want to know that extended use of baking soda on your teeth may cause irritation, so use it sparingly.

Whitening toothpaste: Everyone wants a white, bright smile, so you will find that many lines of toothpaste offer a whitening product. These will work with extended use, but you must not have unrealistic expectations. These pastes will not lighten your teeth several shades. The ingredients in these pastes could cause irritation after using them for a long time, and it is important to remember that these are not as effective as whitening products available through your dentist.

Antimicrobial: These toothpastes are probably labeled as “total” or “complete care”. These contain an ingredient called triclosan, which is a type of antibacterial agent. These are designed to remove bacteria in the mouth that often causes gum disease. These work well, but they do not “fix” existing gum disease or remove existing tartar. This should be done by your dentist for the maximum effect.

Tartar control: Many people have problems with tartar build up. Tartar control toothpaste will not remove tartar already on your teeth. However, it will keep tartar from forming above the gum line. If you have problems with tartar, you should have it removed by your dentist and then use tartar control toothpaste. In addition, this type of toothpaste can also cause irritation and sensitivity.

If you are still unsure of the kind of toothpaste you should use, then you can visit your dentist, who can give you a good recommendation. The important thing to remember is that no toothpaste can work miracles. Instead, you are looking to prevent stains and tooth decay when you brush.