When you think about brushing your teeth, you think toothpaste. Have you ever stopped to consider the types of pastes out there? Your toothpaste should fit your individual needs.
Why do your children need toothpaste specified for them? Children’s toothpaste has less fluoride than regular paste and is safer for their health. An excess amount of fluoride in toothpaste, especially in children can cause dental fluorosis. What is dental fluorosis? Dental fluorosis is the result of too much fluoride causing white specks on children’s teeth. Ingesting too much fluoride at a young age interferes with enamel development.
You may think your child will not swallow toothpaste but they often accidentally ingest it due to the fact that they can’t spit it out yet. We suggest monitoring your children as they brush away food particles. Ask your dentist if you have questions about the levels of fluoride in toothpaste.
Do you feel pain in your teeth as you eat or drink? This could mean you have sensitive teeth caused by worn down enamel, receding gum lines or exposed dentin. You don’t need to suffer every time you take a sip of something delicious. Try a sensitivity toothpaste. Desensitizing toothpaste contains potassium nitrate or strontium chloride which blocks pain signals to your tooth’s root.
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth is a temporary fix that can take up to 3-4 weeks for full results. It is best to make an appointment with your dentist to check on the reason your teeth are hurting just in case you have a deeper problem. Your dentist can help ease your pain with a more permanent solution.
Do you wish your teeth were whiter? As you get older, your enamel begins to lose its brilliance. If you drink lots of teas and coffees your teeth can yellow. Whitening toothpaste helps give you the beautiful white shine back to your teeth that surface stains have taken away.
How does whitening toothpaste do its job? Special abrasive ingredients in this kind of toothpaste polish your teeth along with peroxide or other chemicals that break down or dissolve stains. If you want to ensure you are using a safe whitening toothpaste, look for a brand that has a seal of approval from a reputable dental organization like The American/Canadian Dental Association.
For those teeth of yours that have more than a surface stain, visit your dentist for professional whitening. Even if you are using a whitening toothpaste, a dentist can help your teeth be whiter. Keep the aesthetically clean look of your teeth by booking a professional whitening. The results from this whitening will be better than using an over the counter paste.
Do you smoke? Smoker’s toothpaste is an optimal paste for you. It has an extra strong minty smell and taste to void your mouth of those tobacco scents. It even helps remove nasty surface stains caused by tar and nicotine in your cigarettes.
Toothpaste is only one part of the battle in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. You need to come to the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings for that ultimate happy mouth.