With hundreds of toothpastes and brands on the shelves, it can be hard to determine which toothpaste is best for your oral health. Many brands offer whitening effects, stronger teeth, or less sensitivity, but can they truly deliver? What ingredients help protect your enamel and fight cavities? Looking for the American Dental Association’s Seal and the ingredients below will help you know that you’re getting the best toothpaste.
Fluoride
This is the main cavity-fighting ingredient found in toothpastes. Fluoride is needed to strengthen the enamel and prevent the teeth from decaying. There are two main types of fluoride you should look out for when shopping for toothpaste.
Sodium fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and is the most common option found in over-the-counter toothpastes. Stannous fluoride will also help prevent tooth decay, but it also helps with gingivitis, sensitivity, and more.
Potassium Nitrate
Sensitive teeth can benefit from potassium nitrate. Studies have shown that potassium nitrate in toothpaste can decrease the sensitivity of your teeth, but only if you use it consistently. Not all people will need help with tooth sensitivity, so if this is not something you are concerned about, you can avoid this ingredient.
Calcium Carbonate
In order for toothpaste to clean your teeth, it needs some kind of abrasive agent to lift stains. Calcium carbonate helps to remove stains in a matter of days, as it removes a greater amount of plaque than other toothpastes. Abrasive ingredients in large amounts can harm your teeth, but calcium carbonate is mild enough to be used safely.
Xylitol
Xylitol helps reduce bacteria and prevents cavities when used in toothpaste. Xylitol is not metabolized by cavity-causing bacteria, which means that the bacteria don’t stick to your teeth. Having this ingredient in your toothpaste can also provide other benefits for your oral health, including remineralizing your enamel, boosting collagen, and reducing infections.
Zinc Citrate
Benefits that linger long after you finish brushing your teeth are what we all hope for when purchasing a toothpaste. Looking for zinc citrate can help reduce plaque that sticks to your teeth. While other ingredients can help reduce plaque, zinc citrate has been seen as one of the most effective.
Ingredients To Avoid
While there are many ingredients in toothpaste that can be helpful or help with the flavor, there are some harmful ingredients to avoid. Some ingredients can be too abrasive to your enamel, causing excessive sensitivity. Let’s look at some of these harmful ingredients.
Activated Charcoal
Many people are turning to activated charcoal because it claims to whiten their teeth, but charcoal is extremely abrasive and can cause long-term damage to your teeth. By wearing down the enamel, your teeth will appear whiter, but may also be more sensitive and prone to cavities. There is really no research or data to show that charcoal is safe or effective as toothpaste.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Some toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which creates more of a foam while brushing the teeth. Some people experience mouth sores, redness, and peeling when using toothpastes with sodium lauryl sulfate. These can take a while to heal and cause long-term pain during oral care or dental procedures.
Oral Care From Sunset Dental
Sunset Dental Care is committed to providing oral care for the entire family. No matter what service you need, our team treats every person with compassion and empathy during procedures. Sunset Dental offers a range of services that you may need throughout your life. Cleanings, wisdom teeth removal, veneers, dentures, and more can be completed in our office.
Dr. Ryder Waldron is committed to helping people love their smiles and feel better about their teeth. We use the latest oral health techniques to treat our patients, so you know you are getting the highest quality care. We have many patients who have been visiting us for years and even bring their kids to us. Visit our office to learn more about our space and book your first appointment today!