Picking The Right Toothpaste For Your Teeth
When you walk into a pharmacy or grocery store you are bombarded with options to pick out your shampoo, fever reducer, even your toothpaste! All toothpaste is obviously created to clean your teeth and keep them healthy, but not all of them will keep your teeth and gums as safe and protected as others. At Gaston Dental Associates we are here to help you determine which formula is best for your individual oral hygiene needs.
The #1 factor in choosing the right toothpaste for your needs is seeing the American Dental Associations’s seal of approval on the packaging. It should be displayed on the tube itself as well as on the box your toothpaste is sold inside. If a dental product does not display the ADA seal of approval, this means it has not been tested to see if their claims of quality are necessarily true – you are taking a gamble with your oral hygiene if you purchase them!
It is also important to take into account which features are most beneficial for your mouth. Sometimes whitening toothpaste is not strong enough to show you results you would see with professional whitening treatment in our office, but it can be helpful in maintaining brightness in your smile after professional treatment has been completed. If you have sensitive or receding gums, there are formulas out there that will gently clean your gums to prevent further damage or pain while brushing and flossing. Even more specific formulas can be found to treat gingivitis and other diagnosed gum diseases, talk to your dentist or hygienist at your next appointment and we can provide you with this special toothpaste! Of course all toothpaste should be made with cavity fighting ingredients, and most are, but it is helpful to look out for this message when choosing your brand, as well.
There are also a few ingredients you want to make sure are NOT included in your toothpaste. Here are a few examples to avoid:
- nut shells
- plastic microbes
- activated charcoal
Lastly, just be sure to look out for ingredients that reinforce and strengthen your teeth’s enamel rather than damaging it! If you would like any further help determining the right toothpaste for you, give us a call at (704) 396-6166 At Gaston Dental Associates we are always happy to help you improve your oral health!