choosing a toothpaste

Over the last few years there has been an increase in oral hygiene products and the number of toothpastes available confuses many of us. There are products for tartar control, whitening, brightening and even gum care. Many toothpastes share common ingredients and the thing to remember is that any toothpaste which contains fluoride and is applied to the teeth correctly is an effective cavity preventative. The mechanical action employed using the proper brushing technique is also more important than the brand of toothpaste you choose.

Although gels may seem less abrasive than paste, gels can be more abrasive because of the silica used to make them. Nevertheless, both are safe effective cleaners and which one you use is down to personal choice.

Most studies suggest that tartar control toothpastes do not remove tartar, nor do they reduce the tartar that forms below the gum line, which is the area where tartar can cause gum disease. However, if you wish to prevent the accumulation of additional tartar, a tartar control toothpaste could be for you.

The effectiveness of whitening toothpastes has been questioned and the difference in results for different people can be attributed to variety in diet and tooth composition. It has been suggested that although whitening toothpastes can remove stains, they cannot actually whiten the teeth beyond their original colour.

Sensitive toothpastes are reported to work for the majority of people that use them - if one brand doesn’t reduce sensitivity, try another. However, to be sure it is not a symptom of a more serious problem, any sensitivity should be checked first by your dentist.

There is little evidence to prove that baking soda toothpastes significantly reduce cavities compared to other toothpastes, but some people simply enjoy the taste and feel of baking soda toothpaste. However, some baking soda products may contain peroxides which can irritate or damage gum tissue – read the list of ingredients before making a selection.