Choosing the Right Toothpaste for Your Oral Health

It’s critical to use the right toothpaste to maintain good oral hygiene. It can be challenging to select the toothpaste that best suits your needs when there are so many brands and varieties on the market. There is no such thing as the ideal toothpaste; it all depends on your oral health needs. Let’s discuss which toothpaste is ideal for a particular tooth type and also the components that every toothpaste must contain.

Important ingredients in a toothpaste

There are two forms of toothpaste: paste and gel. However, the essential components in all types of toothpaste are the same. The following is a list of the main components present in each type of toothpaste.

Abrasive agents

A class of scratchy substances called abrasive agents includes silicates and calcium carbonate. These scratchy materials aid in cleaning your teeth of food particles, bacteria, and other stains.

Humectants

Glycerol and other humectants aid in the retention of moisture and do not allow the toothpaste to dry out.

Flavouring agents

To improve the taste of toothpaste, the majority of brands include flavouring agents and artificial sweeteners like saccharin. In terms of flavours, toothpaste comes in a variety. The toothpaste flavours that are most frequently found are mint, lemon-lime, cinnamon, and bubblegum.

Detergents

Because detergents like sodium lauryl sulphate are present in toothpaste, a foaming effect is created.

Thickeners

By incorporating gums and goopy molecules that thicken the paste’s consistency, thickeners give toothpaste its proper texture.

Fluoride

The most important ingredient in toothpaste is fluoride. Fluorides are necessary because they protect your teeth from the acid produced by bacteria that feed on the sugar and starch left on your teeth. Fluorides also strengthen tooth enamel and help to prevent and reverse acid damage in its early stages. This is accomplished by remineralizing tooth-decayed areas.

How to Choose the Right Toothpaste for Your Oral Health

Each person’s oral needs vary depending on their teeth and gums. Your oral health can also influence the best toothpaste most suitable for you. The ingredients and types of toothpaste recommended for each type of oral health are discussed below.

Tartar control

Tartar is the hard layer of bacteria known as plaque that deposits under your gums.

Key ingredients

• Chemical compounds like zinc citrate and pyrophosphates
• Antibiotics like triclosan 

Mode of action

Remove and prevent the growth of bacteria on teeth and gums. Antibiotics can kill the oral bacteria that form tartar.

Sensitive teeth

These refer to teeth that get easily irritated by temperature variations or any other factor.

Key ingredients

• Potassium nitrate
• Strontium chloride

Mode of action

These block the pathways that attach the teeth to the nerves present inside the teeth.

Whitening teeth

Many kinds of toothpaste are available on the market that can give you pearly white teeth.

Key ingredients

• Abrasive particles

Mode of action

These toothpaste polish your teeth by binding to the stains on your teeth and putting them off.

Anti-plaque toothpaste

The build-up of bacteria on your tooth and gums refer to plaques

Key ingredients

• Chemical compounds like zinc citrate and pyrophosphates
• Antibiotics like triclosan

Mode of action

Reduce the effect of toxins on your teeth by surrounding your teeth. They also reduce the risk of the development of gum diseases in the future.

The right toothpaste for children

Children’s dental needs differ from adults’ because of the differences in their teeth. For kids, the following toothpaste is advised:

• You must use non-fluoride toothpaste for kids under the age of three.
• Fluoride toothpaste can be used for kids between the ages of 3 and 6, but only in small doses.

Tips for choosing the right toothpaste

The next time you visit a supermarket to buy toothpaste and are stumped and perplexed by the variety of toothpaste options displayed on the platform, follow some straightforward advice that can assist you in selecting the best toothpaste for yourself. 

Choose an IDA-approved toothpaste

Make sure the toothpaste you select has been endorsed by the Indian Dental Association (IDA). The toothpaste that has received IDA approval demonstrates that it is both safe and efficient to use.

Beware of imposters

There are currently a lot of counterfeit brands available as well. So make sure you purchase the item from a reputable source and that it is authentic.

Keep your needs in mind

Make sure to buy toothpaste that addresses your oral concerns rather than choosing it based on flavour or any enticing discounts or offers.

Takeaway 

Since toothpaste is a crucial component of your oral hygiene, you should be extremely careful when selecting the best toothpaste for yourself. Now that you are aware of the ingredients you need to look for when selecting toothpaste for yourself, make sure to read the label carefully before making a purchase.