Some of the age-old questions, put
to every dentist at least a dozen times a week.
‘Am I using the right
toothpaste?’
‘Should I be using something
different?’
‘Does it matter which brand I
buy?’
It’s no surprise really. You only
get one set of adult teeth in your life, and you want to take care of them.
Especially if you’re taking all that time to go to the dentist for regular
check-ups. But while the dentist is important, we all know that the real maintenance
work is done at home. Toothpaste is one of the most basic and important
safeguards you have against plaque, cavities and tooth decay. So, how do you
make sure you’re using the right one?
The Basics
Let’s go right back to the basics
here. Toothpaste really is a means to an end when it comes to tooth care. You
could buy the most expensive, all singing, all dancing brands out there, but if
you’re lazy about brushing your teeth regularly then it won’t make a single bit
of difference. Experts recommend brushing your teeth once a day at a minimum,
and after every meal if you can. This is because brushing reduces the amount of
harmful bacteria and plaque that build up in your mouth after you eat, keeping
your mouth healthy and happy.
What Toothpaste Is Made Of
Before you go off and decide on a
brand, you should understand some of the basic science behind toothpaste. The
main ingredients of toothpaste include:
- Abrasive Agents: Abrasive agents are the things that create the
scratchy, abrasive sensation when you brush. They are what creates friction and
helps get rid of the plaque on your teeth. They are usually made up of
silicates like hydrated silica, calcium carbonate, hydrated alumina or even
sand (which sounds weird, but is more common than you would think.
Detergent: The foaming when you
brush is caused by detergents and cleansers in the toothpaste getting to
work. They work very similarly to facial cleansers and even washing up liquid,
breaking down undesirable substances that water alone won’t get, loosening any
insoluble materials and cutting through any grease to reveal the clean, shiny
surface beneath.
- Fluoride: The subject of fluoride was the cause of huge debates a
few years ago, particularly in the US. Fluoride is a chemical
that’s added to water and toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel and
reverse the process of tooth decay. While fluoride does occur naturally, we
need to artificially boost the levels to see the benefits. Around
1.6 billion people receive fluoride in their water in the UK – it’s the
reason cavities and tooth decay have gone down so much in the last 50 years.
- Sweeteners: Of course, all this stuff might be good for your teeth,
but it doesn’t always taste great. So toothpaste manufacturers will add
sweeteners and flavourings to their mix to make it taste better. After all, if
it tasted bad, you probably wouldn’t brush your teeth as often as you should.
The traditional option is mint, but there are more exotic options out there for
both adults and children.
What’s The Best?
All toothpaste brands out there
will include all of those basic components, so when it comes to making a buying
decision, it’s difficult to make a bad choice. However, in some cases there are
certain things you should look for:
- If you smoke, or drink a lot of
high-stain drinks (like tea, coffee or red wine), you’ll want to go for
something with bicarbonate of soda in it to help fluoride in it to reduce
staining, along with fluoride to make your teeth more resistant to the acids in
those drinks that can decay your teeth.
- If you have yellower teeth,
you’ll want something with a whitening additive to slowly break way the yellow
and turn the tooth colour back to white. Abrasive toothpastes can help
initially, but if you use them for too long they will actually start to turn
your teeth darker and damage them, so be careful with them.
- If you have sensitive teeth, look
for something with a low abrasion level to avoid pain when brushing. Added
fluoride will help here as well, since tooth sensitivity is caused by thinning
enamel, and fluoride toothpaste will help build this back up. If the
sensitivity is a real issues, there are also specialist toothpastes out there
for sensitive teeth that can actively reduce the sensitivity in your teeth –
just ask your dentist what they recommend.
There are hundreds of brands out
there, with lots of products designed to help people with specific teeth
problems. But ultimately it doesn’t matter you use – it’s about how often you
brush your teeth. Without regular brushing, toothpaste is just a bathroom
ornament. So go for what you prefer, and make sure you use it.
At
Appledore, we’re always happy
to offer advice and suggestions on your at-home
oral hygiene routine. Our
expert hygienists and dentists are on hand to help you work out what kind of
toothpaste is right for your teeth, and how to improve your daily brushing
routine. For more information,
book your smile consultation with us today.
