Choosing a toothpaste
Tartar control. Baking soda. Whitening action. With so many toothpastes on the supermarket shelf, how do you choose the one that's most effective?
"A toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance is the easiest way to know the product has been thoroughly tested, is effective and has the proper mix of ingredients," says Ken Sutherland, DDS, a Delta Dental dentist consultant.
For most patients, Dr. Sutherland recommends a fluoride, tartar control toothpaste with the ADA seal. Most experts agree that as long as your toothpaste contains fluoride and has the ADA seal of approval, the brand you buy doesn't really matter. All toothpastes with fluoride work effectively to fight plaque and cavities. Of course, they also clean and polish tooth enamel.
Why is fluoride important?
Fluoride is a mineral that helps harden teeth and prevent tooth decay. It occurs naturally in small amounts in all water sources. Studies show that fluoride reduces cavities in people of all ages and is effective and safe when used correctly. The correct use of fluoride has been said to have dramatically reduced tooth decay over the past few decades.
Check for the ADA seal
For 70 years, the American Dental Association (ADA) has awarded its "Seal of Acceptance" to dental products that are safe and effective.
The seal generally is awarded for a three-year period, and manufacturers must reapply to continue using it. If the composition of an accepted product changes, the manufacturer must resubmit the product for review and approval.
In addition to information submitted by manufacturers, the ADA has more than 100 consultants and staff scientists who review oral health products and their effectiveness to determine whether they meet ADA standards. Today, nearly 400 dental products available to consumers carry the ADA seal, including toothpaste, dental floss, mouth rinses and toothbrushes.
In June of 2007, the FDA issued a poisonous toothpaste alert for any toothpaste made in China that could possibly contain the deadly chemical diethylene glycol. You can check dental products to make sure that they contain the ADA seal, which ensures that they have been tested and found to be safe from harmful chemicals.
Special needs and personal preferences
Some factors that go into choosing a toothpaste are usually personal preferences, such as flavor, whitening, tartar control and price. If you have small children, you might want to try some fun, flavored children's fluoride toothpaste. When deciding on toothpaste, you may also want to consider any special needs that you have such as sensitive teeth or dentures. Those with special needs should also consult their dentist.
- Sensitive Teeth. If you have sensitive teeth from gum recession or tooth abrasion, you may need a toothpaste without heavy abrasives. You can also choose a desensitizing paste with either strontium chloride or potassium nitrate as an added ingredient. Expect it to take about four to six weeks to see improvement in sensitivity.
- Tartar Control. Brands of toothpaste that advertise "tartar control" usually have the active ingredient pyrophosphate. While it will not remove tartar, studies have shown it will reduce tartar formation up to 36 percent. Tartar (calculus) can only be removed with a professional prophylaxis (cleaning).
- Abrasiveness. Many types of toothpaste now contain baking soda, which is less abrasive than traditional toothpaste ingredients. This is advantageous for reducing tooth sensitivity in people with gum recession or for those who have eroded their teeth by rigorous brushing with abrasive toothpaste.
- Whitening. Bleaching teeth to make them lighter has recently become popular. Whitening toothpastes help maintain the tooth shade after bleaching procedures. If you want the benefits of a whitening toothpaste, look for the active whitening agents of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.
- Dentures. If you wear partial or full dentures, they will stain and absorb odors. Ask your pharmacist or dentist to recommend an effective denture cleaning paste or solution.
The oral health information on this web site is intended for educational purposes only. You should always consult a licensed dentist or other qualified health care professional for any questions concerning your oral health.
