Which toothpaste is the right for you? - Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Not all tooth pastes were created equal. Since the 1960’s when the first toothpaste received a seal of approval in the United States, more than 400 toothpastes have shown up on retail store shelves. There is a multitude of sizes, flavors and textures that are meant to cater for every need and taste. Every manufacturer claims that his toothpaste is the best in fighting decay, stopping gum disease and refreshing your breath.

Toothpaste is an essential item, in every household and should be used at least twice daily. It improves the cleaning power of your toothbrush by helping to remove plaque or dental biofilm, the film of bacteria coating teeth and gums that causes tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.

Most toothpaste contain:

Detergents, that cause a foaming action to remove food particles.
Abrasives to help remove stains.
Flavoring to improve taste.
Fluoride to create an acid resistant enamel which helps prevent tooth decay.
Humectants to prevent water loss in the toothpaste.
Thickening agents or binders to stabilize the toothpaste formula.
Detergents to create foaming action. They include sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-Lauryl sarcosinate.

But many manufacturers have specialty products are claimed to treat specific conditions:

For sensitive teeth, these toothpastes have an ingredient or ingredients that will reduce the sensitivity to cold and hot, usually caused by exposed dentin.
For bleeding gums, these tooth pastes have an antibacterial agent or herbal extracts that reduce bleeding caused by gum infection.
For tooth whitening, these toothpastes contain abrasives or chemicals to remove tooth stains. But they do not whiten the teeth, only a tooth whitening treatment can.
For tartar control toothpaste, these product help prevent the build up of calculus. But existing tartar is strongly bound to the tooth and is not removed only a dentist can remove it.

In addition to the aforementioned varieties, there are tooth pastes who exclude certain ingredients:

Without fluoride, for individuals who fear ingesting fluoride.
SLS, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, free tooth pastes.
Without chemical for those looking for a natural toothpaste.

Given the large variety of general and specialized toothpastes, it is easy to get lost. For those who have a healthy mouth, any tooth paste with fluoride will do. But if you are plagued by cavities, you may need more than just the average fluoride concentration, which may be found in a fluoride enriched toothpaste. For those suffering from bleeding gums a tooth paste with tartar control can help reduce the buildup of new calculus, but only a professional clean will remove the deposits which are already in the mouth. Dr. Kaufman at Tooronga Family dentistry can provide you with individualized recommendations based on the results of your dental exam to match the right toothpaste for you. If you would like to know more about the right tooth paste for you, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.