When you’re young, the brand of toothpaste you use probably doesn’t seem too important for your Teeth Health. As long as it tastes good, you’re happy with what’s available at the bathroom sink.
But as you get older, you begin to understand the connection between the ingredients in a tube of toothpaste and your overall healthy smile. This knowledge begins the search for the best toothpaste brand within your budget.
With all the different options out there, how do you know which products are healthy and which ones to avoid? Here, we’ll explain what ingredients are necessary for a good toothpaste and how to find the right one for optimal teeth health.
1. Understanding the Ingredients in Conventional Toothpaste
Typical toothpaste comes in two types: conventional and natural. When you’re shopping at your local department store, the shelves are mostly stocked with conventional brands.
These are a selection of pastes and gels that are applied to a toothbrush. And then used to scrub the bacteria, plaque, and debris off the surface of your teeth. How well they work depends on how frequently you use them and the ingredients in the product.
Conventional toothpaste uses some synthetic and some natural ingredients to create the final product. Natural varieties don’t use any synthetic ingredients. However, all toothpaste is regulated under the category of a cosmetic product, so manufacturers must ensure their ingredients are safe for human use.
In the conventional product line, there are some ingredients that make one toothpaste product stand out as better than its competition. As you shop, keep an eye out for these common active ingredients that help improve your teeth health:
- Fluoride, an essential component of cavity prevention, enamel strengthening, and reduced bacterial growth,
- Gentle abrasives like silica, which help scrub debris off the enamel and remove surface stains, and
- Certain artificial sweeteners, like mint and cinnamon, add flavour to the product and freshen your breath.
These three components are in most, but not all, conventional toothpaste products. As long as you find a brand that includes this coverage, you have the basic protection. However, there are products that go beyond the foundational ingredients and offer extra benefits, as we’ll discuss next.
2. What to Look For in Natural Toothpaste
If your goal is to get the same benefits as commercial toothpaste without synthetic ingredients, you’ll want to shop for natural products. These are brands developed by manufacturers who only use herbs and plant-based or naturally occurring ingredients, like baking soda or silica, to clean teeth.
When you use natural toothpaste, you still get the ingredients that polish your teeth, freshen your breath, and strengthen enamel. But the added benefit is that you know what goes in your mouth is safe for your health.
You’ll see ingredients like fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate, which are both found in nature. Fluoride strengthens enamel, and sodium lauryl sulfate, which is also in conventional toothpaste, creates the foaming effect you get when you brush.
Be aware that swallowing too much fluoride, whether it’s in conventional or natural products, can be dangerous, especially to young children. For that reason, there are some toothpaste brands that are fluoride-free.
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3. How to Find the Right Toothpaste for You
You’ve made your choice between conventional and natural toothpaste. Now, it’s time to look at the extra perks available in both!
To begin with, unless you’re concerned about ingesting fluoride, look for a toothpaste that has 1,000 or more parts per million (ppm) of the ingredient alongside the American Dental Association stamp. These are products that give you optimal enamel strengthening.
If you want whiter teeth, be cautious about the products that have “whitening” effects on the label. Activated charcoal is trending today, but experts haven’t proven the link between this ingredient and whiter teeth. Many whiteners provide short-term lightening but can cause teeth sensitivity with continued use. For the best results, check with your dentist or another professional whitening source.
Brushing when you have sensitive teeth can be painful. Luckily, there are various brands available over the counter that decrease sensitivity, or your dentist can prescribe a professional-grade product that will strengthen your teeth and reduce discomfort.
Finally, if you want toothpaste that will clean your oral appliances, you can use any of the same products you use for your teeth. The best way to get rid of the hidden microorganisms before you put your retainer or night guard back in your mouth is to run it through a dental ultrasonic cleaner, though.
Conclusion
The choice between toothpaste products is an important one for you and your family. While the price of a certain brand may be a factor in your decision. It shouldn’t play the starring role.
Look at the ingredients and consider your family’s oral health needs, and use these tips to help you find the right toothpaste for your optimal teeth health.