A mildly abrasive toothpaste often makes a convenient addition to a soft-bristled toothbrush for cleaning away plaque and food residue from the face of your teeth. Fluoride toothpaste can also be beneficial for strengthening your tooth enamel. At the same time, there are also toothpaste brands with special additives that can address a specific dental or oral health need.
To help you understand your options when shopping for a new toothpaste, Dr. Kenneth Kirk offers the following insights.
When shopping for a new toothpaste, you should always look for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. This seal means that the toothpaste has been researched and tested to meet stringent guidelines for safety and effectiveness in an oral hygiene routine.
Nonabrasive toothpastes, such as denture polish, are used to clean dentures. Some nonabrasive toothpastes are formulated to help mitigate symptoms associated with chronic dry mouth. Nonabrasive toothpaste might also be needed if you regularly need to refresh a dental appliance or mouthpiece. This can be a very simple way of removing plaque from a snore guard, night guard or athletic mouthguard.
Whitening toothpastes are formulated with a mild concentration of hydrogen peroxide. These toothpastes help reduce minor surface stains between dental cleanings. However, they will not be strong enough to remove moderate and deep stains on teeth.
There are also some toothpaste brands on the market that have been specially formulated to help reduce tooth sensitivity issues. While this might help alleviate discomfort in the short term, they should not be used as a long-term treatment strategy.
If you need further advice on finding the right type of toothpaste for your smile in Spring, Texas, you can always call 281-826-0025 to consult with a member of our Houston Cosmetic & Family Dental Associates staff.