You’ve squeezed the last bit of the life out of your tube of toothpaste. The dreaded time has come. You now have to make a trip to the convenience store to face their wall of toothpaste!
You know what we’re talking about. You go to the store looking for a tube of toothpaste, but there are so many options available that you don’t know what to get because they all look pretty much the same, but aren’t really, so you could potentially get a toothpaste that isn’t ideal.
The experience usually goes something like this: you either A) grab the first toothpaste brand you see (and recognize), B) end up buying multiple types of toothpaste, or C) stand there reading the promised benefits of each toothpaste and realize that you’ve now been staring at toothpaste for 10 minutes! Eventually, you grab one of many that sounded good and just hope for the best.
But seriously, you’re not alone in feeling that buying toothpaste is stressful or such an unnecessary hassle. Many people feel the same way! However, we’ve found that understanding your unique oral health needs makes buying toothpaste so much easier (and more pleasant). Here are five helpful things to make choosing a toothpaste easy for your next trip to the store:
Fluoride
When choosing a type of toothpaste, the most important ingredient to look for is fluoride. This naturally-occurring tooth-preserving wonder mineral helps protect your pearly whites from cavities. Fluoride effectively strengthens tooth enamel while also reversing the early stages of tooth decay. Fluoride even helps with tooth sensitivity.
Tartar Control
Plaque, a layer of bacteria that builds up on the teeth and around the gum line, can quickly harden into tartar if not removed daily with proper dental hygiene care. Some toothpaste is actually designed to help prevent the buildup of tartar on your pearly whites. Effective tartar-fighting ingredients you should look for on the toothpaste packaging are pyrophosphates and zinc citrate.
Whitening
If you would like to flash a brighter smile, whitening toothpaste could be an excellent choice. Instead of containing peroxide, whitening toothpaste uses slightly abrasive particles that scrub away surface stains. But don’t worry! Studies have shown that whitening toothpaste is as gentle on the enamel as other types of toothpaste.
Sensitive Teeth
You may be one of those people whose teeth are sensitive to things like hot and cold temperatures. Fortunately, there is a type of toothpaste that can help with that! Toothpaste for sensitive teeth contains potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. However, the best toothpaste that can be purchased for sensitive teeth requires a prescription from a dentist. Prescription toothpaste will contain a higher percentage of fluoride compared to regular fluoride toothpaste, and our exceptional dentist, Dr. Ramy is happy to prescribe this for you as needed.
ADA Approval
One thing is for sure, when you’re standing in front of that wall of toothpaste, you can be confident that any toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval on the packaging actually does what it promises! Products with the ADA seal have been tested and evaluated for both safety and effectiveness. Not only that, but all toothpaste types having the ADA seal also provide fluoride for stronger teeth. We encourage you to ask your dental hygienist or Dr. Ramy which toothpaste would be most beneficial for your smile when you come in to see us for routine dental cleanings and exams.
We welcome you to Contact Exceptional Dentistry at 661.349.7725 today to learn more about the benefits of fluoride toothpaste or other products and schedule a reservation with Dr. Ramy. Our dentist and caring team in Palmdale, California, are thrilled to help you improve and maintain your health as best as possible! Whether with your at-home dental hygiene or your in-office dental visits, your smile deserves exceptional dental care for a healthier, more appealing smile!
