|
What is
toothpaste? Basically fluoride
and an abrasive bound by thickeners and flavors
Abrasives: Polishes teeth, removes light surface
stains and dislodges food.
Fluoride:
Makes enamel more resistant to acids produced by bacteria living on your
teeth and gums. Reduces decay.
|
In order to
whiten teeth, you need an ingredient in the peroxide family and you have to
isolate teeth from saliva so the whitening agent doesn’t wash away. Whitening toothpastes do none of the
above. They have no peroxide and instead
have more abrasives in the toothpaste.
This abrasive will remove light surface stains (i.e. light coffee and
tea stains.) Whitening toothpaste will
do nothing to brighten the teeth.
Be careful
using if: You have sensitive
teeth as the abrasiveness may cause teeth to be more temperature sensitive.
Sensitive Toothpaste
Sensitive
toothpaste works by blocking the dentinal tubules (tiny pores) in the
teeth. This blocking does not allow the
nerve in the tooth to receive the sensation.
This toothpaste works well for those with mild cold sensitivity. You have to use a full tube of the toothpaste
to determine if this will work for you.
Be careful
using if: You’re on a
toothpaste budget. Sensitive toothpaste
is a bit more expensive. But other than
that anyone can use it.
Baby Toothpaste
AKA training
toothpaste, it has the look and feel of real toothpaste, but without the
fluoride. This type of toothpaste is ok to swallow. Sometimes swallowing a lot
fluoride toothpaste can cause a belly ache or change the appearance of
developing teeth.
Be careful
using if: Your kid is getting a lot of cavities. Then they need the fluoride to prevent decay. Switch to fluoridated toothpaste and monitor
closely during brushing and use a small smear of toothpaste.
Kid Toothpaste
Aside from the
Spiderman and Barbie packaging and perhaps the sparkle blue color, there really
is no difference between that and regular ol’ toothpaste.
Be careful
using if: Your kiddo won’t spit it out. Swallowing a little toothpaste is fine, but if
he is swallowing a bunch of tooth paste every time he brushes switch to baby
toothpaste. Or put a smaller amount on his brush.
Prescription Toothpaste
Do you get
cavities every time you come to the dentist?
Do you have a dry mouth? Do you
have a lot of crowns and fillings? Then
ask your dentist to prescribe you higher fluoridated toothpaste. You are more at risk for decay than most and
need the protection fluoride can give you.
Be careful
using if: You have a kid accessible toothpaste
drawer. The higher fluoride
concentration if swallowed could cause a bellyache or possibly change a child’s
developing permanent teeth
What type of toothpaste does Dr. Scott
recommend?
For most all you
need to do is look for something with fluoride in it. “AIM” recently was studied as the most
effective toothpaste because it had the right amount of fluoride in it, at the
cheapest price.
