How Do I Choose the Best Toothpaste?

Quick! What’s your favorite toothpaste? Ask five people this question, and you’ll How Do I Choose the Best Toothpaste?

probably get five different answers. If you ask those same five people what made them chose their particular brand of toothpaste, you’re likely to hear answers ranging from “I like the taste” to “It was on sale”.

With so many varieties of toothpaste on the market, how do you know which one is best for you? Let’s look at a few kinds of toothpastes designed to help with different oral health needs and preferences:

Fluoride and anti-cavity toothpastes

Wonder Woman has her Golden Lasso, Captain America has his Shield, and your pearly whites have fluoride toothpaste! Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, and can help teeth become more cavity-resistant. Fluoride helps to rebuild (remineralize) weakened tooth enamel, and consistent use of fluoride toothpaste can even reverse early signs of tooth decay. To ensure that your toothpaste contains fluoride, look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of Acceptance when you’re shopping for anti-cavity toothpaste.

Just a note about fluoride toothpaste and children: For children under six, who tend to swallow toothpaste when they brush, a very small amount of toothpaste (size of a pea) will do the trick.

Sensitivity (desensitizing) toothpastes

You’re just trying to sneak a little bowl of ice cream after supper, but when that frozen treat hits your teeth, you get a nasty jolt of pain that makes you think twice about that next bite of Rocky Road. Thankfully, there are specially formulated toothpastes which can help reduce tooth sensitivity. Desensitizing toothpastes contain ingredients like potassium nitrate, which helps to block pain signals to the nerves of the teeth.

Whitening toothpastes

Everyone wants a dazzling white smile, but many factors, including oral health, diet, age, and even genetics can affect the color of your teeth. While your dentist can provide you with the most effective teeth whitening procedures, whitening toothpaste can help brighten your smile if professional whitening isn’t an option for you. These toothpastes contain abrasives which help to reduce surface stains on tooth enamel. Some whitening toothpastes also contain ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, which can lighten the appearance of tooth enamel.

If you’re still wondering what kind of toothpaste to use, your dentist can give you some great advice about what type of toothpaste would be best for your specific dental needs. Now, if you can just settle on a flavor; spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen, cinnamon…Good luck with that!