How to choose the perfect toothpaste for you
Have you ever stopped to think about toothpaste? Probably not, many of us see it as a necessity and probably don’t think about it so much so that we take it for granted. Despite this, the amount and ranges of toothpaste that are on sale from different companies is plentiful and can be overwhelming. In our current posting we take a closer look at this and consider how you pick the toothpaste that is most suitable for you.
Before we even consider anything else, we must look at what toothpaste is actually for. This is something that all toothpaste should be aiming to do no matter what their individual specialist characteristics (e.g. sensitive, whitening.)
Toothpaste should be effective in its purpose – to help clean your teeth. Most toothpastes are chemical substances that when applied to the surface of the teeth, allow for the removal of plaque and bacteria helping to prevent tooth decay, gum issues and general tooth problems. Many toothpastes contain added or extra fluoride. This is designed to strengthen the teeth and further reduce decay. Whether you choose a children’s toothpaste, the cheapest or most expensive, all should generally be able to fulfil this basic requirement.
Beyond the above and over the years, toothpastes have evolved to appeal to certain markets or groups of people. Some of this is a financial or commercial consideration. However since science has developed, it has allowed toothpastes to become more individualised and target specific problems that sections of society may be experiencing. In a later blog post we’ll consider what some of these specific types of toothpaste actually are, but for the remainder of this posting we’ll give you our top five tips on how you can pick and be happy with the toothpaste you are using.
1) We have already mentioned fluoride and this should be one of the first considerations for when you decide what toothpaste to use. Most well-known brands do contain fluoride as standard so much investigative work shouldn’t be required on this. Many people often don’t need any extra added ingredients except fluoride in their toothpaste so bear this in mind.
2) If you are experiencing any dental issues that is causing you to think you might need a specific purpose toothpaste, then talk to your dentist first. They will be in a much better position to give you accurate advice and point you in the right direction.
3) Look at toothpaste labels carefully. Some contain restrictions and limitations on who and who not may be suitable for usage with the product. Check you are not in one of these prohibited groups.
4) Check the size of the toothpaste, the price and the equivalent value per 100ml. Many types of toothpaste are good value, but some can be needlessly expensive when they are nothing more special than the ordinary cheaper brand. Don’t get ripped off thinking you are getting a wonder clean.
5) If you have found a toothpaste you think you might like, it may still not necessarily be the best for you. Everyone is different and reacts in different ways to products we use every day in life. Some people will really rate a toothpaste while others will find it does little for them or at worse cause some kind of sensitivity or small reaction to one of the ingredients. If you are not happy, then change until you find something that is working and that you are comfortable with.
As you are here and interested in caring for your teeth, find out more about general dentistry and how our services may be able to help you.