Brushing is important for the overall health of your body and mouth; it freshens your breath and removes plaque. One thing you need when brushing is a toothpaste. Nowadays, there are numerous options in the market making it hard to choose the right one. Knowing how toothpaste works will make your work easy when buying one. They come in different varieties. Here, Martin Dentistry shares the different types and their pros and cons.
Charcoal toothpaste
Toothpaste contains activated charcoal that binds to bacteria, tartar, and stains. It’s excellent for teeth whitening and fresh breath.
Pros
- It freshens breath — activated charcoal attracts food particles and plaque.
- It removes extrinsic stains — The activated charcoal is mildly abrasive and helps remove the surface stains.
- It doesn’t affect medications — as long as you rinse and do not swallow it, you won’t have anything to worry about.
Cons
- It’s too abrasive to use daily — using it daily can wear down your teeth enamel.
- It does not have fluoride — Fluoride makes your enamel strong and keeps cavities at bay.
- It can cause staining — when the charcoal particles accumulate on the crevices of older teeth it can cause stains.
Whitening toothpaste
Dental stains come when you consume certain foods such as cola, smoke, tea, or coffee. You can get rid of these stains using whitening toothpaste. Teeth whitening pastes have abrasives and cleansers that reduce the appearance of stains.
Pros
- It’s suitable for organic stains — When you drink coffee red wine and soda, it stains your teeth with time. These stains are caused by organic substances and are on the outside of the enamel. With whitening toothpaste, you can reduce the appearance of such stains.
- It’s affordable — You can get teeth whitening toothpaste for the same price as regular ones.
Cons
- It can wear down the enamel with time — when you brush too hard, you increase the risk of scratches.
- It’s not effective on major stains — You can’t use it to get rid of major stains like trauma to the tooth.
Fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride protects your teeth from decay and harmful foods. Ever since it was introduced, fluoride has reduced dental infections. Most toothpastes have a small amount of fluoride. However, some have larger fluoride amounts for people with weak enamel.
Pros
- It keeps your teeth strong
- It prevents tooth decay and cavities
- It increases bone density
Cons
- It can lead to dental fluorosis if taken in high doses especially in children under 8 years
Natural toothpaste
If you love the idea of natural products, then you may have thought of using natural toothpaste. This is made using natural ingredients like essential oils. If you are wondering if it is good for you, here are the pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros
- It does not contain chemicals – it uses herbal extracts such as Neem oil or sage that protects teeth.
Cons
- It does not contain fluoride which is necessary for strengthening your tooth.
Sensitivity toothpaste
Your teeth enamel can be breached due to gum disease or aging making your tooth become exposed. Once your enamel has been damaged, cold and heat can pass through the tubes and cause sensitivity. If you have tooth sensitivity, then you need to buy this type. It blocks nerves in your teeth from sensing any cold and heat. You need to use it for about four weeks for it to be effective.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends toothpaste that contains fluoride. The fluoride gives your teeth a topical benefit since it is applied to the surface.
At Martin Dentistry, we believe that dental education is an important part of your orthodontic treatment. By making great choices for your oral health, your orthodontic treatment will be more effective and get you the results you want. If you have questions about oral hygiene, ask us during your next appointment! Our team is always happy to help.
