Toothpaste

Toothpaste:

Brands Don’t Matter Too Much

Brand-name and generic kinds of toothpaste generally have the same ingredients, which you can check by looking at the toothpaste box. What is important, however, is that you select an ADA-approved toothpaste, which is also printed on the box. ADA approval means that the toothpaste has undergone rigorous testing to ensure quality, safety, and usefulness. Some generic toothpastes are not ADA-approved, but many are.

Know What Additives Are In Toothpaste

1. Anti-cavity toothpaste, for example, contains more fluoride than regular toothpaste. It helps to strengthen the teeth against the acid made by bacteria, assuming that good oral hygiene practices are followed.
2. Whitening toothpastes do work to remove stains from the teeth, but they do so using abrasive additives that scrape the teeth. Though this whitens teeth, it also scrapes away at the enamel, eventually leading to tooth damage and sensitivity.
3. Hypersensitivity or desensitizing toothpaste contains potassium nitrate or strontium chloride that helps dull the nerves that register tooth pain.
4. Anti-gingivitis toothpastes contain antibacterial agents that can alleviate gingivitis, but only in its mild stages. This is less important, however, since brushing with normal toothpaste and carefully flossing also alleviate mild gingivitis.