Along with flossing and regular dental checkups, brushing your teeth is one of the cornerstones of an effective oral hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush helps to remove food particles and plaque from the faces and contours of your teeth before they can develop into tartar.
When shopping for toothpaste, be sure to look for one that has earned the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. This seal means that the product has been researched and tested by the ADA for safety and effectiveness.
A tooth paste with mild abrasives does a good job of removing food debris and surface stains. Several brands also include fluoride which helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. There are also some situations where non-abrasive toothpaste is called for. This is especially true if you want to clean dentures, a custom mouth guard or snore guard.
Many toothpaste brands have flavoring agents that help make them more appealing to encourage regular use. Sometimes sweeteners like saccharine are used to improve the flavor. No toothpaste that has earned the ADA seal of acceptance contains sugar. Flavors can range from minty spearmint to cinnamon, to bubble-gum (popular with children) and even citrus!
People with sensitive teeth might want to seek out a desensitizing toothpaste containing potassium nitrate or strontium chloride.
If you have issues with minor gum inflammation you might want to seek out toothpaste containing stannous fluoride, which helps strengthen tooth enamel and gums.
If you have questions about finding the right brand of toothpaste please call our caring dental team at Sonshine Family Dental at 317-271-1330 or ask us at your next dental cleaning appointment. We work hard to keep you smiling!