Toothpaste is a frequent topic of conversation during Raynor Dental preventative care appointments. This makes sense since most of us brush twice a day and we want to know our favorite toothpaste brand is safe, effective, and living up to its promises of whitening, sensitivity reduction, enamel protection, cavity-prevention, etc.
But often what we don’t know about toothpaste could ruin our teeth if we’re not careful. So in order to prevent that, it’s important to read the ingredients in toothpaste labels and, more importantly, understand them.
Toothpaste always seems to make our mouths feel clean and refreshed. That’s because of the mint-like flavoring and the foaming nature of most brands. Unfortunately, while the minty flavor and foaming make us feel better, they have nothing to do with cleaning our teeth. The actual cleaning comes from abrasive particles and/or chemical agents. But, abrasiveness can be bad for our teeth, and not all chemical agents work the same.
How Whitening Toothpastes Work
Whitening toothpastes often rely on whitening chemicals, but can also include abrasive particles to clean our teeth. Research shows that chemicals called enzymes slightly “reduced the naturally occurring stains more efficiently than the abrasive paste …”. That’s because the abrasive particles remove plaque that is stained, but they won’t whiten enamel, especially in areas difficult for toothbrush bristles to reach.
According to the same research, some whitening toothpastes that are highly abrasive should not be used for more than 4 weeks. Doing so could damage your teeth. Those low in abrasiveness that contain sodium bicarbonate will remove “considerably more tooth stain” than regular toothpaste, but only after 4 to 6 weeks.
Does Fluoride Toothpaste Help Sensitivity?
Carbonated drinks and fruit juices are naturally acidic and will make sensitive teeth worse. The best way to minimize sensitivity is to avoid acids, of which carbonated drinks are high on the list. If you are having acids, make sure you use a low abrasive toothpaste, and wait to brush several hours after having consumed acidic substances.
Can Fluoride in Toothpaste Prevent Cavities?
Yes, but not the same for everyone, and in every location. Fluoride must accumulate to prevent cavities because its concentration is normally low. That means, for the best results, we need fluoridated drinking water along with fluoride toothpaste. Those who are cavity prone or have very sensitive teeth might need their dental professional to apply and/or prescribe stronger fluoride varnish or toothpaste.
Overall, however, research mostly shows fluoride to help prevent cavities, and fluoride toothpaste plays a positive role in that prevention. In fact, cavity prevention was shown to increase when the amount of fluoride in toothpaste was increased.
Summary
When deciding upon toothpaste, always look for a fluoridated brand, low in abrasives (one that doesn’t feel gritty or sandy in your mouth).