Toothpaste and Oral Health: What Dentists Recommend

Introduction

Which Toothpaste and Oral Health and What do Dentists Recommend?

Toothpaste is a product that we use every day to clean our teeth and maintain our oral health. But how do we know which toothpaste is best for us?

And what are the ingredients and benefits of different types of toothpaste?

In this article, we will explore what dentists recommend when it comes to choosing and using toothpaste for optimal oral health.

What is Toothpaste and how does it work?

Toothpaste is a paste or gel that contains various ingredients that help clean, protect, and improve the appearance of our teeth.

Toothpaste works by:

– Removing plaque and food particles from the surface and gaps of our teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on our teeth after we eat or drink. If left untreated, plaque can cause cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and tooth discoloration.

– Providing fluoride, a mineral that strengthens and protects our enamel from decay. Enamel is the hard, outer layer of our teeth that shields them from damage and sensitivity. Fluoride works by replacing some of the hydroxyapatite molecules in our enamel with fluorapatite molecules, which are more resistant to acid¹.

– Providing other ingredients that can benefit our oral health, such as abrasives, whitening agents, sensitivity relief agents, tartar control agents, or natural or herbal agents. These ingredients can help scrub away surface stains and plaque, whiten our teeth, reduce pain or discomfort caused by sensitive teeth, prevent or reduce the formation of tartar, or offer various benefits for oral health and wellness.

What are the different types of toothpaste that Dentists reccomend?

There are many types of toothpaste on the market that claim to offer various benefits for oral health and beauty. Some of the most common types are:

– Fluoride toothpaste: This is the most widely used type of toothpaste, as it contains fluoride, a mineral that strengthens enamel and protects teeth from decay. Fluoride toothpaste can prevent cavities by hardening your tooth enamel¹. It can also help re-mineralise your enamel after it has been eroded by acids.

– Whitening toothpaste: This is a type of toothpaste that contains abrasives or bleaching agents that can remove surface stains and discoloration from your teeth. Whitening toothpaste can whiten your teeth by scrubbing away or breaking down the molecules that cause stains on your enamel². However, whitening toothpaste does not work on intrinsic stains, which are those that are embedded in the enamel or dentin layers of your teeth.

– Sensitivity relief toothpaste: This is a type of toothpaste that contains ingredients such as potassium nitrate or strontium chloride that can reduce the pain or discomfort caused by sensitive teeth. Sensitivity relief toothpaste can reduce sensitivity by blocking the nerve signals that trigger pain when your teeth are exposed to hot, cold, sweet, or sour stimuli³.

– Tartar control toothpaste: This is a type of toothpaste that contains ingredients such as zinc citrate or pyrophosphate that can prevent or reduce the formation of tartar on your teeth. Tartar control toothpaste can prevent tartar by delaying the calcification of plaque on your teeth, allowing you more time to remove the plaque through normal brushing⁴.

– Natural or herbal toothpaste: This is a type of toothpaste that contains natural ingredients derived from plants, minerals, or animals. Natural or herbal toothpaste claims to offer various benefits for oral health and wellness, such as being more gentle, eco-friendly, or holistic. However, natural or herbal toothpaste may not be regulated or tested for safety or quality by official authorities.

What do dentists recommend when choosing and using toothpaste?

Dentists recommend the following tips when choosing and using toothpaste for optimal oral health:

– Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride: Fluoride is the most important ingredient in toothpaste, as it strengthens and protects your enamel from decay. Fluoride is widely accepted as the most effective ingredient for preventing cavities¹. The NHS recommends using a toothpaste that contains at least 1,350 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride for adults and children over 3 years old.

– Choose a toothpaste that suits your needs and preferences: Depending on your oral condition and goal, you may want to choose a toothpaste that offers additional benefits, such as whitening, sensitivity relief, tartar control, or natural or herbal ingredients. However, you should always consult your dentist before using any new product or treatment for your teeth.

– Use the right amount and technique when brushing: You should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. You should also use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle circular motion to avoid damaging your enamel or gums. You should spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing, but do not rinse your mouth with water, as this can wash away the fluoride and reduce its effectiveness.

Conclusion

Toothpaste is a product that we use every day to clean our teeth and maintain our oral health. It contains various ingredients that help remove plaque, provide fluoride, and offer other benefits for oral health and beauty.

There are different types of toothpaste that suit different needs and preferences, such as fluoride, whitening, sensitivity relief, tartar control, or natural or herbal toothpastes. The best way to choose and use toothpaste for optimal oral health is to consult your dentist and follow their recommendations.

They can advise you on the most suitable product or treatment for your teeth and gums and monitor the results and side effects. They can also help you maintain good oral hygiene and prevent further plaque and tartar build-up or damage to your teeth.

References:

(1) Five Types Of Dentist Recommended Toothpaste | Colgate®. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/selecting-dental-products/five-types-of-dentist-recommended-toothpaste.

(2) Best Toothpaste UK, Dentist Recommended — Electric Teeth. https://www.electricteeth.com/uk/best-toothpaste/.

(3) Best Toothpaste in the UK? Our Toothpaste Brand Top Picks – Dentaly. https://www.dentaly.org/en/oral-hygiene/best-toothpaste/.

(4) The 8 Best Toothpastes of 2023 – Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/best-toothpastes-4684126.