Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA
With so many types and brands of toothpaste on the market, choosing the best one can be a challenge. Fortunately, toothpaste needs to meet only a couple of requirements to be considered good toothpaste for people to use.
Our family dentists in Bloomsburg recommend patients choose a toothpaste that includes the following:
- The seal of acceptance from the American Dental Association (ADA)
- Fluoride
The rest — such as flavor, or if the toothpaste meets the specific needs of the user — is completely up to the consumer. While brushing twice a day with an ADA-approved toothpaste containing fluoride will prevent plaque and tartar buildup, some toothpaste includes ingredients that specifically target the plaque and tartar buildup that causes cavities. Other toothpaste has special ingredients to help whiten teeth. If you’re curious about which tube of toothpaste to pick up the next time you’re running low, our Bloomsburg family dentists are sharing information today to help make your selection a bit easier.
Whitening toothpaste
Some toothpaste contains agents — usually abrasives or ingredients like peroxide — that can help whiten teeth over time. Abrasives such as baking soda will clean and polish the teeth, ridding them of surface stains. But some abrasives are hard on tooth enamel, such as those often found in charcoal toothpaste. When deciding on a whitening toothpaste, be sure to look for the ADA seal of approval.
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Sensitive teeth are usually caused by thinning enamel, which is the hard, white outer shell of the tooth. Just below the enamel is dentin, which is more yellow in color and is sensitive to touch and temperature. When enamel starts to wear away and more dentin is exposed, it leads to teeth that are sensitive to hot, cold and sometimes acidic food and beverages. Toothpaste for sensitive teeth contains higher levels of potassium nitrate than other toothpaste. Potassium nitrate fills the tiny porous surfaces of the teeth, helping restore enamel. This, in turn, protects the dentin from exposure, preventing tooth sensitivity.
Tartar control toothpaste
Plaque and tartar buildup leads to cavities, so it’s critical to remove any buildup off the surface of teeth and between them. Tartar-control toothpaste, in particular, is formulated to delay the calcification of plaque on the teeth. In helping control tartar buildup, it aids in the fight against tooth decay.
Family Dentistry in Bloomsburg, PA
Our dentists encourage brushing twice a day — once after breakfast and once before bed — for two minutes each time with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, flossing at least once daily and visiting our Hamilton Dental Care family dentists for professional cleanings twice a year. If it’s time for your routine cleaning, give our office a call at (570) 316-0887 today! We look forward to hearing from you!
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