What to Consider When Choosing a Toothpaste

One of the problems with dental care is finding the right information for your needs and separating fact from fiction. With so many choices out there in terms of products, advice and care, half the battle is finding out what works for you and your family. 

These choices even affect the simplest things like brushing your teeth with the right toothpaste. In fact, a household staple like toothpaste is such a big money maker that lots of companies have entered the market with their own information, marketing and product. These days, it is important to know how best to choose the right toothpaste and what to watch out for in the grocery store.

Toothpaste 101

Most people would think toothpaste is pretty simple. You just need something that can brush away the crud on your teeth. Unfortunately, there are many products out there that attempt to outdo one another in other to win your business. They do this with common marketing techniques that appeal to the appropriate demographic whether it’s using good flavored toothpaste with cartoon characters for kids or hyping up natural, organic products for the chemical-conscious adults.

Fortunately, there are a number of standards that the dental community agrees upon that you need to know to pick the right toothpaste. These guidelines are there to get the best products which contribute to your oral health and make brushing easy to do. If you follow these rules you can be assured that you’ll pick a product that meets most people’s needs.

To that end, most dentists recommend the following when it comes to choosing a toothpaste:

• Use a Fluoride toothpaste – Fluoride is very important for preventing cavities. It is crucial to avoid “natural” toothpastes that don’t have fluoride as they are not capable of protecting your teeth. Read to label to make sure it includes fluoride
• Use sensitive toothpaste and brushes if necessary – Some people’s gums are irritated by hard brushes and abrasive toothbrushes. In those cases, you can use sensitive toothpastes and soft brushes.
• ADA Seal of Acceptance – Toothpastes that are endorsed by the American Dental Association have all the right ingredients and are well formulated to care for you and your family’s teeth.
• Whitening Toothpastes May Not Work – The chemicals that are used to professionally whiten teeth are not able to be sold in high concentrations at the grocery store. You may want to save your money and go with a non-whitening brand, or opt in to professional teeth whitening at the dentist.
• Pick Your Flavor – It is a myth that toothpastes that taste minty work better. Go with what you like as long as it has all the other appropriate ingredients. Whatever makes brushing a more pleasant experience for you or your kids is worth the investment.

The Next Steps of Dental Care

Most everyone knows how important it is to brush your teeth twice a day and to floss regularly. On top of regular care at home, it is crucial that you maintain good oral care habits by seeing your dentist twice a year for deep cleanings and checkups.

In addition, your dentist is the best equipped person to give you the right information that is tailored to your health and your circumstances. They can recommend the exact products that you should be using based on what you need.

If you haven’t had a dental checkup in a while or want to consult with a professional on the best products for you and your family, contact us today at Wooten Dentistry to make an appointment. Our trained staff can give you the care and advice you need.