What's in your toothpaste?

FLOURIDE TOOTHPASTE
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral. Its use has been instrumental in the dramatic drop in tooth decay that has taken place over the past 50 years.
Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and starches that remain on your teeth after eating.
Fluoride helps protect your teeth from the acid that is released when this happens. It does this in two ways. First, fluoride makes your tooth enamel stronger and less likely to suffer acid damage. Second, it can reverse the early stages of acid damage by demineralising areas that have started to decay.
Using fluoride toothpaste is an important way to ensure your teeth are reaping the benefits of this dental-friendly mineral.

FLUORIDE-FREE TOOTHPASTE
Some consumers are concerned about the buildup of fluoride in the body.
Because drinking water in many areas is fluoridated, people now have more cavity protection than in the past.
However, an excess amount of fluoride in the body can cause fluorosis, a demineralization of tooth enamel and bone.
Concerned about this, many people are turning to fluoride-free toothpaste, claiming that they receive enough fluoride in drinking water.

TARTAR CONTROL TOOTHPASTE
Everyone has a layer of bacteria on their teeth called plaque. If plaque isn't removed promptly with proper oral hygiene, it hardens into tartar. This hard-to-remove deposit can build up on your teeth and under your gums, ultimately leading to gum disease.
Many people buy tartar control toothpaste to combat tartar.
Tartar is a build-up of calculus minerals on the teeth that cannot be removed by brushing, but only by a professional dental cleaning.
Tartar control toothpastes contain pyrophosphates which can control tartar build-up and prevent cavities. Tartar control toothpastes can help control tartar build-up, but only above the gumline. They have no effect on any kind of periodontal disease.

WHITENING TOOTHPASTE
As the quest for whiter and whiter teeth continues, whitening toothpastes have become even more popular.
Whitening toothpastes can remove stains on the teeth and make the teeth appear whiter.
Some whitening toothpastes actually contain harsh abrasives, which can initially remove stains, but over time wear away the tooth enamel and cause the teeth to appear more yellow.
Other whitening toothpastes contain hydrogen peroxide or calcium peroxide, which is said to whiten the teeth without abrasive action.

ALL-NATURAL TOOTHPASTE
Not everyone is comfortable with the chemicals present in many commercial toothpastes.
Some brands of toothpaste use only natural ingredients, including substances such as tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, and calcium carbonate, to naturally scrub teeth.
These natural toothpastes are perfect for those who do not want to purchase toothpaste with harsh chemicals, as they do not include sodium lauryl sulfate, a chemical that can severely irritate skin, or artificial flavors or colors.

TOOTHPASTE FOR SENSITIVE TEETH
There are many causes of dentin hypersensitivity, the scientific name for sensitive teeth, and more and more people are suffering from this condition.
Sufferers often look to specialised toothpaste to dull the pain.
Toothpastes which contain strontium chloride actually cause minerals to cover and insulate pores in the exposed tooth root, blocking the sensitive root from cold foods or other stimuli which can cause pain.
The market for sensitive teeth toothpaste is rapidly growing, with many toothpaste brands offering toothpaste specially designed for different levels of sensitivity.

BAD BREATH & TOOTHPASTE
Toothpastes that tend to be good in controlling bad breath are often those that contain antibacterial as this kills off the bacteria that produce the bad breath-causing acid. Some brands, however, do specialise in controlling breath, such as BreathRx o Euthymol. Alternatively, you can try the more mainstream toothpaste brands, like Colgate and Macleans, who also supply toothpaste that tackles bad breath.

STANDARD TOOTHPASTES
If all you want is standard toothpaste that you can use regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy, then you should probably look at the more well-known brands that have a good reputation for oral health.
Any fluoride toothpaste, when used on a regular basis in a correct manner, should be enough to ensure you maintain your oral health.

CHILDREN'S TOOTHPASTE
Children's toothpaste often comes in colorful packages, which are designed to be both attractive to children and less messy than regular toothpaste, sometimes in a stand-up squeeze tube.
Children's toothpaste is also available in flavors which are specifically targeted to children, such as bubble gum and watermelon, and sometimes include non-toxic sparkles in the toothpaste.
Some toothpastes are now available for toddlers which are fluoride free and therefore safe for swallowing. Children can move up to fluoridated toothpaste when they understand that they should not swallow the toothpaste.

TASTE AND TEXTURE
It's important to be frequent with brushing your teeth, at least twice a day, but in order to do that you might as well enjoy the chore as much as possible.
For people with a sensitive gag reflex and picky taste buds, try a toothpaste with a flavor that you like, particularly one not so strong in peppermint.
There's also the choice of gel or paste, some find that one is harder to tolerate than the other.
Gel can get clumpy, paste can produce too much foam or not enough. If you're bothered by your current toothpaste texture, shop around for something else that will motivate you to keep up with your daily tooth care routine.

WHATS IN TOOTHPASTE
Abrasive agents: Scratchy materials, including calcium carbonate and silicates, help remove food, bacteria, and some stains from your teeth.
Flavouring: Artificial sweeteners, including saccharin, are often added to make toothpaste taste better. While many people equate the flavour of toothpaste with mint, it comes in a variety of flavours, including strawberry, and even bubblegum (for children - or the young at heart).
Humectants for moisture retention: Paste and gel formulations often contain substances like glycerol to prevent the toothpaste from drying out.
Thickeners: Agents that add thickness, including gums and gooey molecules found in some seaweeds, help achieve and maintain proper toothpaste texture.
Detergents: The suds you see when you brush your teeth are from detergents like sodium lauryl sulphate.

SOME TIPS
Here are some tips to help you choose the best toothpaste to meet your family's dental needs:

Look for approval from a dental authority.
Consider your family's needs. As long as you select a fluoride-containing toothpaste, the rest is a matter of personal choice.
If you're committed to an all-natural lifestyle, you may want one that contains only natural ingredients.
For people trying to instill good oral hygiene habits in their children, why not choose fruit-flavoured toothpastes with sparkles to entice them to brush their teeth?
Some want to lighten their teeth with whitening toothpastes. Others like the feeling of brushing their teeth with toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide or baking soda.
With so many different options available, you can experiment to find the best toothpaste for you.