Why Choosing the Right Toothpaste Matters

Modern toothpaste became part of our daily oral care routine in the 1950s, but present-day toothpaste brands claim to offer different advantages to enhance the cleaning power of your toothbrush. It’s not only a matter of personal preference: what you put in the mouth directly affects the health of your teeth and gums. By choosing the best toothpaste for you, you can fix a bunch of dental issues, while a product with the wrong ingredients can exaggerate the existing tooth-related problems.

Oral health starts with the basics

As stated in a survey, Americans are prone to skip brushing their teeth 5 times a week. A quality toothpaste that coincides with your dental needs can help you establish routine oral habits. The American Dental Association (ADA) insists that you should brush for at least two minutes, twice per day. 

It might be surprising, but dentists recommend skipping rinsing after brushing to allow the active toothpaste ingredients to fully absorb into your oral cavity. This will help you reap all the benefits and prevent costly dental treatments, from tooth fillings to dental implants. It’s vital to thoroughly sort through the available options on the market and check the ingredient list to pick the best kind of toothpaste for your current dental demands.

How the wrong toothpaste can harm your teeth

The devil is in the details: nasty toxic chemicals can lurk in toothpaste and harm the well-being of your teeth and gums. Unregulated products may contain:

• Harsh particles and microbeads. Their abrasive nature can cause enamel damage and persistent discoloration.
• Activated charcoal. These types of toothpaste can wear down enamel and cause hypersensitivity. If you have dental crowns, such toothpastes can stain them.
• Baking soda. Toothpastes enriched with baking soda may irritate the gums and eventually wear away tooth enamel, making your teeth yellowish over time. Besides, sodium bicarbonate can impact the pH balance in your oral cavity. 
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Though this detergent creates a pleasant foamy feeling associated with cleanliness, it can also cause soft tissue irritation. It’s best to settle on an SLS-free brand.

Some sources claim these ingredients are effective for clean, healthy teeth and don’t cause reactions in everyone. It all depends on the proportion, so it is reasonable not to tempt fate and avoid them in the toothpaste. The best toothpaste doctor recommended option can be picked up at the checking appointment with your dentist. They will assess the peculiarities, current condition, and specific needs of your oral cavity and proffer the most beneficial product for you.

Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing Toothpaste

If you wonder how to choose the right toothpaste, read our brief guide with a step-by-step sequence of required actions.

1. Identify Your Dental Needs (Cavities, Sensitivity, Whitening)

Choosing the complementing toothpaste for your dental needs starts with pondering about the following questions:

• Are your teeth sensitive to hot, cold, acidic, or sweet foods and beverages? 
• Do you need toothpaste with a whitening effect? 
• Are your gums healthy? 
• Do you find any tastes or flavors in commercial toothpaste unpleasant or repulsive?

A specially formulated product can help you cope with these dental issues. If you have several tooth-related concerns and struggle to find the best toothpaste for everything, an experienced dentist in Forest Hills, NY can help determine the most urgent needs that crave treatment and explain how to choose toothpaste in your case.

2. Check for Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral naturally present in rocks, soil, and water, added to toothpaste to strengthen enamel and avert cavities. Fluoride-containing toothpastes are effective against tooth demineralization. They drive calcium and phosphate ions to your teeth that form an acid-resistant protective coating. Fluoride is an essential ingredient in toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

3. Look for the ADA Seal of Approval

The American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance on the toothpaste’s packaging signifies a highly esteemed assurance, which substantially eases the shopping process. The ADA validates the top standards of the ingredients, flavors, colorings, abrasiveness, and the like. This distinction highlights toothpaste with specific benefits, so you can be sure the product is safe and effective.

4. Avoid Ingredients That May Irritate Your Oral Cavity

It’s better to avoid certain ingredients in toothpaste to take care of the health of your teeth and gums, including such additives as: 

• Artificial sweeteners. Manufacturers add flavorings like saccharin to make their products taste better. However, they can promote bacteria growth, excessive plaque and tooth sensitivity, and cavities.
• Abrasive agents. Silicates and calcium carbonate can help remove stains from your teeth, but harsh additives may harm your teeth and gums in the long run, increasing their sensitivity.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate. This detergent can irritate your gums, thus we recommend opting for an SLS-free toothpaste.

This is a top 3 of what to look for in toothpaste to avoid potentially harmful irritants that can interfere with the long-term health of your oral cavity.

5. Consider Taste and Texture

While toothpaste’s taste and texture are mostly perceived as a matter of personal choice and preference, a favorite flavor can help you develop beneficial brushing habits. The logic is simple: when you don’t savor the product, you’re likely to brush your teeth less diligently. Luckily, a wide assortment of toothpastes on the market can satisfy the tastes of the most picky customer: from conservative mint to a more intricate cinnamon.

6. Think About Natural or Specialty Options

Some toothpastes are enriched with all-natural ingredients such as herbs, essential oils, and more, making them a great option for people with overly sensitive teeth and gums. If you want to avoid artificial ingredients, look for ADA-approved toothpaste with natural components. 

Best Toothpaste for Common Dental Conditions

Specific dental concerns need professional treatment, but you can mitigate the unpleasant sensations or achieve a better visual effect by using a specially designated toothpaste.

Dental Issue	Recommended Toothpaste
Tooth sensitivity	A product with potassium nitrate or strontium chloride can help diminish tooth sensitivity. You might need to use it for a month to feel the relief.
Gum problems	To support your gum health, opt for toothpaste with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds such as triclosan and fluoride.
Stained or yellow teeth	Whitening toothpastes are more effective for restoring tooth color than conventional ones. However, they promote abrasion and surface roughness. It’s reasonable to try in-office Zoom teeth whitening rather than put your teeth at risk.
Enamel erosion	Choose toothpastes enriched with fluoride or an “artificial enamel” ingredient called hydroxyapatite.
Dry mouth	You can alleviate dry mouth symptoms by brushing your pearly whites with betaine-containing toothpaste.

Should You Use Whitening, Charcoal, or Herbal Toothpaste?

In pursuit of a brighter smile, you might want to try whitening, charcoal, or herbal toothpaste, so widely marketed for everyday use today. However, not all options are equally safe and effective. 

Pros and cons of popular formulas

Let’s examine the key advantages and drawbacks of the most trendy formulas: whitening, charcoal, and herbal toothpaste.

Toothpaste Type	Pros	Cons
Whitening	Teeth seem slightly whiter with time.	The results are temporary;Сontain abrasive particles or chemicals that might consequently damage tooth enamel;Bleaching agents can pose a minor risk of tooth sensitivity;Need careful scheduling so as not to overdo it (for example, once or twice daily for six weeks);May irritate gum tissues.
Charcoal	May help eliminate surface stains on your teeth;Efficient remedy for bad breath.	Charcoal is too abrasive for everyday use;It can harm tooth enamel;Such toothpastes can promote long-term sensitivity;Charcoal particles can accumulate in the tooth crevices and cause staining;Can leave a dark outline on white tooth fillings, veneers, dental bridges, and crowns;Ineffective for stains positioned below the enamel.
Herbal	No harsh chemicals, detergents, artificial flavorings, and dyes, making it gentle on teeth and gums;Efficiency against plaque and gingivitis;Tangible anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties;Safe for kids.	Less effective in preventing tooth decay due to the lack of fluoride;Inconsistent results from scientific studies.

Are trendy options dentist-approved?

Given the multitude of toothpaste brands on the modern market, you can ensure the safety of your teeth by opting for products that carry the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. To be ultimately confident in your decision, ask your dental practitioner about the best toothpaste for you to use.

Children’s Toothpaste vs. Adult Toothpaste: Key Differences

Permanent teeth differ from milk teeth, but toothpaste for kids and adults is equally effective at brushing away dental plaque. Regular toothpastes and those designed for children differ in three key aspects:

• Toothpaste for kids has less fluoride. Manufacturers strive to protect children from fluorosis, a cosmetic dental condition that causes white spots on teeth. Besides, a kid may accidentally swallow toothpaste during brushing.
• Most children’s toothpastes are available in various flavors. This is done to encourage kids to routinely brush their teeth.
• Toothpaste for children contains other substances than those meant for adults.

Occasional use of kids’ toothpaste won’t harm, but you’d better ensure you have a tube of regular toothpaste at home to provide your smile with essential care.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Toothpaste

When selecting toothpaste, people may not pay sufficient attention to important aspects, which may lead to several mistakes:

• Neglecting the List of Ingredients. Admit it: sometimes, you add toothpaste to your shopping cart tempted by eye-catching packaging or a familiar brand. A conscious approach implies screening the product ingredients to ensure there’s no SLS but fluoride and other compounds beneficial to your teeth.
• Buying an Extra Sweetened Toothpaste. While toothpastes are sugar-free, artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame added for the enticing taste can lead to serious health issues.
• Choosing Products Without the ADA Seal of Approval. This indicator is your insurance against poor standards of toothpaste ingredients and properties.

When you are forewarned about which toothpaste to buy, the risk of harming your teeth is driven to a minimum.

When to Talk to Your Dentist About Switching Toothpaste

You don’t need to change your toothpaste very often. Such necessity arises if you:

• Notice toothpaste has become less effective;
• Have a certain dental condition such as gum issues or tooth sensitivity that needs supportive care;
• Can’t decide on the most fitting toothpaste for your dental needs;
• Have an allergy to a peculiar ingredient.

Talk to your dentist about changing toothpaste any time you have relevant concerns. You can do it at a routine dental examination that’s usually recommended twice a year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Toothpaste

Additional Resources

• Examine beneficial toothpaste ingredients by the ADA to improve your oral health. 
• Deepen your knowledge about fluoride in toothpaste by reading an expert article from Medical News Today.