Confused?Which toothpaste to buy!

Most of us, when we arrive at the toothpaste section of the supermarket or at the grocery store, we tend to get lost and confused, as to which brand to actually choose? We casually lay our hands on brands such as Colgate, Pepsodent, Close-up, etc. There is indeed a wide selection of toothpastes which are being marketed, making such a decision difficult for the general public to choose the right toothpaste for themselves. One should, therefore, ruminate over the role of this simple but yet very important tube in taking care of one’s oral health.

Thus, the main question that needs to be addressed would be if toothpastes are merely a substance to be scrubbed with when using toothbrush and the answer would be certainly NO. There is more to it than we can imagine. Besides performing cleaning action, it has therapeutic effects as well. The type of toothbrush we use, technique of brushing, flossing, mouth rinsing, timing of tooth brushing and type of toothpaste we chose, all these factors contribute to overall oral health.

When we are unaware of our specific needs and the ingredients in the toothpaste, we get commonly inclined to choose the brand which is advertised increasingly more in the public eye.

The major principle that needs to be kept in mind while selecting the toothpaste:

WHAT IS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN? Are we looking for a tooth paste that can fight germs, can mask bad breath or do we want a tooth paste that reduces our sensitivity, may be while enjoying an ice-cream?  Some of us are also more concerned if a tooth paste that make our teeth appear whiter, shinier or that can help relieve gum problems or issues such as pyorrhea. Having clarity in our exact requirement can make our selection easier by looking into the ingredients of the toothpastes. Different brands of tooth pastes share similar base composition but differ in few ingredients which are responsible to meet the varied requirements of each customer.

 

For caries, cavity or decay prevention and management🦷🦷

If you find yourself at a higher risk of developing caries or wish to fight early decay then opt for Fluoride containing tooth paste. Fluoride strengthens the tooth by forming Fluorapatite crystals and prevents progression of caries by bringing about remineralization (deposition of crystals) of demineralized (leached out ions) enamel. Fluoride has the ability to inhibit the development of caries by 19-27%. The fluoride compounds available in the tooth paste are Amino Fluoride, Sodium Fluoride or Sodium monofluorophosphate. In general, use of toothpaste with Fluoride concentration of not less than 1000 ppm (parts per million) is recommended for caries or cavity prevention.

In addition to Fluoride, Xylitol also demonstrates a good anti caries effect as well as antibacterial impact and prevents mineral loss from the enamel.

For gum problems (Gingivitis and Periodontitis/Pyorrhea)

Plaque is a sticky deposit containing biofilm which harbors bacteria, formed on the tooth surface throughout the day which when hardens, forms tartar or calculus. These phenomena pose a great threat to the gums and the periodontium (tooth supporting apparatus). There are two basic rules for prevention of gum disease

1. Removal of plaque regularly, this will prevent the growth of bacteria on the biofilm.

2. Preventing the growth of bacteria that form plaque and tartar

The first rule is ensured by mechanical cleaning of the teeth and in order to prevent the bacterial growth, antiseptic and antibacterial containing toothpastes can be opted for. Various substances like Triclosan, Chlorhexidine, Povidone Iodine, Zinc Citrate, Baking Soda containing toothpaste can be picked. Triclosan prevents the growth of gram positive and gram-negative bacteria. Toothpastes containing natural plant extracts showed similar antibacterial effectiveness as chlorhexidine containing toothpaste.

Prevention of Sensitive teeth

If you tend to experience short, sharp painful sensations while enjoying your favourite ice cream, it is most likely due to loss of the enamel surface of the tooth. Without a second thought it is then time to grab toothpaste that contains Potassium Nitrate, Stannous Fluoride, Fluoride, Calcium Phosphosilicate, Strontium Chloride, Arginine or NovaMin. Potassium nitrate, strontium chloride, stannous fluoride blocks the tubules in the dentin by crystallizing it. High potassium ion concentration extracellularly preventing repolarization of nerve cell membrane and inhibiting the transmission of impulses.

Whitening toothpaste

If you get upset when seeing your white teeth turning yellow, then opt for toothpastes containing perlite (70-75% silica dioxide), Sodium bicarbonate or enzymes like protease and papain. Plaque formed on the tooth surface gets stained due to the food and beverages we consume. Plaque can be removed by abrasive substances (silica dioxide, calcium carbonate, calcium pyrophosphate, Aluminium oxide or perlite) and enzymes that stick to proteins in the pellicle or biofilm, thus facilitating the removal of stained plaque. Sodium pyrophosphates, Sodium tripolyphosphate and pyrophosphosphate can bind with tartar and absorb stain molecules creating a whitening effect. 

Bleaching toothpaste

When peroxide from hydrogen peroxide and calcium peroxide touches the tooth surface or penetrates the tooth tissue, they break down the stain molecule, providing a bleaching effect.

Bad Breath/Halitosis

Poor oral health, plaque accumulation, decay, diet, smoking etc. can contribute towards bad breath. In such cases practicing good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque will prove very beneficial. Mint flavored tooth paste can also be opted for as it leaves you with a refreshing sensation.

Special note to Parents:

Please not that utmost importance should be given to the child’s toothpaste as the primary or milk teeth, as we generally say, are more prone to decay and erupting teeth are vulnerable as well. Due consideration while choosing your child’s toothpaste should be given to your child’s age. Always keep in mind to choose a kid-friendly toothpaste. Before the age of two, select flouride-free baby toothpaste and use a soft baby tooth brush to clean the teeth twice daily. Between the ages of two and four, ADA (American Dental Association) or IDA (Indian Dental Association) approved brand containing Fluoride need to be opted for and used under adult supervision. Dental Fluorosis is not a risk for kids over eight years of age but an ADA or IDA recommended brand is always the best choice. Parents of children under the age of seven need to ensure that they use only pea-sized amount of toothpaste and caution them to prevent unnecessary swallowing of the toothpaste.

Therefore, to conclude, there are toothpastes that accomplish a single goal, and certain ones that do it all. Be smart in opting for the toothpaste that fulfills your oral health needs. A toothpaste should always be selected based on scientific evidence available and not upon the opinion of the manufacturer and should not be advertisement driven. Combining toothbrushing with flossing and healthy eating can keep the oral cavity healthy. But even with the right oral hygiene maintenance measures, if issues persist, do visit your nearest dental clinic.