Have you visited the toothpaste aisle recently at the grocery store? Hundreds of tubes staked high on shelves boasting promises of fresh breath and tooth whitening compounds. The choices are dizzying. Advertisers don’t make it any easier since all pastes seem to be approved by “9 out of 10 dentists.” How do you even begin to break down the choices and determine what is best for you or your child? And are the promises prominently displayed on the box actually accurate? Below we are going to break through the hype and explain the difference between all the different types of toothpaste available.
What is in it?
One of the main reasons for using toothpaste is to make the manual action of brushing more effective. In order to get in the deep grooves and remove plaque buildup you need something with a little graininess. Unlike the ancient Romans who used crushed bones and oyster shells in their primitive version of toothpaste, modern abrasives are much gentler and milder in order to protect the enamel on your teeth. Prior to being released, tests are conducted to measure the level of abrasiveness and to see if stains can be removed without damaging the tooth. Modern abrasives include hydrated silica, calcium carbonate and dicalcium phosphate. It is important to remember these abrasives work in tandem with the motion of the toothbrush. Without the two working in harmony, they would be useless.
Detergents are also included as a way to loosen and break down substances that are not water soluble. The most common detergent, sodium larul sulfate, has been used in toothpaste for more than 50 years and has been proven to be a safe ingredient.
Fluoride was first introduced into toothpaste formulas in 1914; although, it wasn’t until 1960 that the American Dental Association accepted its marketing in products. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and makes teeth more resistant to tooth decay. It not only protects teeth, it also makes them stronger by “remineralzing” affected surfaces making them more resistant to harmful acids. When looking for toothpaste with fluoride, look for those with the American Dental Association seal of approval.
Finally, without some sort of flavoring brushing your teeth would be a cringe-worthy endeavor. Toothpastes contain both natural and artificial flavorings that mask any chemical compound flavor. While some toothpastes taste sweet, the American Dental Association will not give their seal of approval to any product that contains sugar or other agents that speed up tooth decay.
Whitening Toothpastes
Currently, tooth whitening products make up the majority of the toothpaste market. In addition, they tend to be the more expensive products on shelves today. So do they really make your teeth whiter? While whitening toothpaste can make your teeth appear brighter by removing coffee or wine stains, they can’t change the natural color of your teeth. Unlike other whitening products, whitening toothpastes don’t contain peroxide, but some do contain the chemical blue covarine that creates an optical illusion that your teeth are whiter.
Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
If you experience tooth pain when eating or drinking hot or cold items, your dentist may recommend switching to a sensitive toothpaste. These toothpastes work by numbing tooth sensitivity through the use of potassium nitrate which helps to calm the nerves in the teeth. Repeated use of a sensitive toothpaste may help build up a strong barrier between small pores that are on the outside of the tooth which are connected to the nerve in the pulp in the gum. Unlike teeth whitening toothpastes that may not live up to their advertisements, sensitive toothpaste may be one of the most effective products on the market.
All Natural Toothpastes
First, it is important to note that just because a product is labeled as “natural” doesn’t mean that it doesn’t contain chemical ingredients such as sodium laurl sulfate. A study in 2009 did an in-depth analysis and concluded may “natural” products were very similar to their mainstream counterparts except that most didn’t include fluoride. Unfortunately, many experts agree that fluoride is an essential ingredient that toothpaste should contain.
Choosing a toothpaste is very much about personal preference. Just because a product makes wild guarantees doesn’t mean it is the best on the market. Experts agree that it is important to look for a toothpaste with fluoride first, then choose one that best fits your budget second.
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