Choose the Right Toothpaste for You!

What toothpaste do you pick? An all too familiar series of events happens in supermarkets every single day. You head over to the toothpaste section. You look up, down, left and right. There is just TOO MUCH CHOICE! You are bombarded with various combinations of ingredients that seem better placed in an episode of Breaking Bad. So what do you do? Most people usually pick the same one as they had chosen previously. This is because we are creatures of habit. We don't like change and will often only venture to a new land, or in this case toothpaste, if there are clear benefits to be gained. The issue is that with all of this toothpaste jargon, the benefits aren't so clear anymore.

Types of Toothpaste

We all want to have whiter teeth, fresher breath, to defeat plaque and to combat sensitive teeth. But who has the time to use four different toothpastes every morning? Below, we will outline the benefits of each individual type of toothpaste to help you decide which one is the perfect match for your teeth!

Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Teeth whitening toothpastes are great, of course, for whitening the teeth. The effect of use will vary amongst different sets of teeth. If you are seeing very little improvements then perhaps you should switch to a different toothpaste and search for other methods to achieve the level of teeth whitening that you desire. One downside to using teeth whitening toothpaste is their abrasive properties. This can cause damage to your enamel if the toothpaste is overused or if you brush too hard.

Sensitive Toothpastes

People with sensitive teeth can often feel discomfort or pain when their teeth are exposed to hot and cold temperatures.   can also become sore when pressure is applied to them. Sensitive teeth are usually the result of thin enamel or a receding gum line causing more dentine to be showing. In these circumstances, the enamel and the gums are providing less protection. This is the root (no pun intended) cause of sensitive teeth! There are two ways that sensitive toothpaste can work. Firstly, there can be a numbing of the tooth sensitivity. These types of toothpastes most commonly contain a substance called potassium nitrate. As this is applied to the teeth, it will act in a way that calms the nerve of the tooth. The second method in which sensitive toothpaste can work is by blocking the tubules in the dentine. These types of toothpaste usually contain a chemical called strontium chloride. As you repeatedly use this toothpaste, your tubules will be filled up with the strontium chloride. This creates a protective barrier that will lead to less sensitive teeth.

Fluoride Toothpastes

Fluoride or no fluoride, that is the question. Fluoride toothpaste comes highly recommended from all dentists. This is due to its tooth decay defeating properties. Fluoride actually changes the structure of developing enamel on the teeth. This makes our teeth much more resistant to acid attack. Fluoride also encourages better quality enamel to form. Another benefit to fluoride is that it can reduce the ability of plaque bacteria to produce acid. This is the main cause of tooth decay and is therefore a massive bonus to using fluoride toothpaste.

Toothpaste Quantity

You only need to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste![/caption] One question that we are constantly asked is, how much toothpaste should I use? The truth is that most people use way too much.The way toothpaste is advertised on television shows that the whole toothbrush should be covered with one hefty squeeze of the tube. In reality, you only need an amount similar in size to a pea to effectively clean your teeth! Now that this guide has fully loaded you with toothpaste knowledge, go forth to that overcrowded aisle and select your perfect tubular companion with confidence!