Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, is one of the cornerstones of an effective daily oral hygiene routine. The ADA recommends you brush your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. For the average person using a brand of toothpaste with mild abrasives will improve the toothbrushes ability to remove food particles and plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. When you are shopping for toothpaste there are a few things to keep in mind.
You should only consider buying toothpaste that has earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This seal represents the product has been researched and tested for safety and effectiveness.
Abrasive toothpaste, has mild abrasive additives that help the brush to effectively scrub food particles and plaque from the surface of the teeth. Try to select a brand with added fluoride to help strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay.
Nonabrasive toothpaste is called for if you wear dentures, or have a partial. It might also come in handy for cleaning and maintaining mouth pieces like a custom mouth guard, night guard or snore guard. Some nonabrasive toothpaste brands are specially formulated to help mitigate the effects of chronic dry mouth.
If you have issues with sensitive teeth, you might want to look for a particular brand that includes potassium nitrate or strontium chloride, as well as added fluoride.
Whitening toothpastes use a mild concentration of hydrogen peroxide to help whiten surface stains between dental cleanings. Just keep in mind that the concentration of whitening agents will not strong enough to remove moderate and deep stains on your teeth.
If you need help selecting the right brand of toothpaste, please call Lakeland Dental Care at 601-981-8166 or ask us at your next dental cleaning appointment.