Toothpaste Shopping Tips
Choosing the Right Toothpaste is Easy
Playing a critical role in oral health, the right toothpaste choice needs a few guided tips so that you end up with the most suitable one for your needs. Here are some methods to follow through.
Check fluoride content. The ADA and most dentists consider fluoride to be an essential ingredient in toothpaste as it has been proven to combat caries and tooth decay. It is likewise known to protect children’s and adult’s teeth from caries.
Look for the ADA approval. If a toothpaste product carries the ADA approval, it meets the ADA’s strict requirements for fluoride content and active ingredients to improve oral hygiene, it’s free from sugary flavoring agents, and scientific evidence to support its safety and effectiveness.
Read the label. Since not all types of toothpaste are suitable for everyone, especially for children, check for ingredients to avoid specific chemicals that may cause sensitivity. Examples are: saccharin, calcium carbonate and silicates, glycerol, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
Check the RDA level. The level of abrasiveness of a paste, known as its relative dentin abrasivity (RDA), varies from product-to-product. All ADA-approved toothpaste must have an RDA of 250 or less. A higher RDA may damage the teeth.
Choose depending on your specific needs. For example, you might need a desensitizing toothpaste for sensitive teeth, whitening toothpaste for safe and effective teeth whitening, or tartar control toothpaste for preventing tartar buildup. You might need a natural-base toothpaste which typically does not contain fluoride and may contain natural abrasive agents, such as baking soda, rather than chemical ones.
When selecting a toothpaste brand, base your choice on your individual needs and preferences, including those of the members of your household.
Best Toothpaste Advice in Bellingham
Having a toothpaste choice dilemma? There are so many toothpaste out there and not every toothpaste is for you. Ask your Bellingham dentist about which toothpaste suits your needs best. Get the most out of your dental visits because we give great tips here in Bellingham.