Toothpaste – what to look for when buying?

Healthy teeth are our business card. It is good that they are also snow-white. However, it turns out that care for oral hygiene also translates into the overall health of our body. In addition to a toothbrush, we need the right toothpaste. It must prevent tooth decay and help ensure that visits to the dentist are limited to short check-ups

Effect of toothpaste – how to use it?

It is worth noting that the toothpaste is used by us for a few minutes a day at most. For such a short time we have to take full care of our oral hygiene. This necessitates such a selection of ingredients that the toothpaste works well, even for such a short period of use. Of course, this also requires a good brushing technique and a properly chosen toothbrush. However, it is the toothpaste that is of primary importance

What is the composition of toothpaste?

The proper composition of toothpaste is crucial. However, there are many products on the market – in the light of advertisements, almost each of them is characterized by “optimal composition”. What should we actually pay attention to?

Fluoride and RDA – what are they?

• Fluoride is an element of paramount importance in the fight against caries. Its presence is essential, but what should be its concentration? Too low a concentration will not protect the enamel. A good dose is 1000-1500 ppm of fluorine compounds.
• RDA (Relative Dentine Abrasivity) – is the abrasiveness coefficient which refers to the content of micro-beads in the toothpaste. Thanks to these granules the plaque is removed from the tooth surface. It is recommended to keep moderation: the abrasion of plaque is necessary, the damage to the enamel is definitely not. An RDA of between 45 and 70 is recommended for daily care

What else can we find in the composition of toothpaste?

In addition to abrasives, polishing substances and fluorine compounds, we will find in toothpaste:

• foaming substances – they are designed to reduce surface tension and help remove stains;
• xylitol – helps to fight caries;
• antimicrobial substances – have a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effect;
• flavor and fragrance additives;
• water;
• glycols – prevents drying and gives proper consistency
• carbomer – stabilizes and thickens.

What are the types of toothpaste?

The market for toothpaste is quite diverse, which translates into the availability of different types of such products. Among others, we distinguish

• pastes for specific age groups – especially pastes for children and against periodontitis,
• traditional toothpastes,
• organic pastes,
• remineralizing toothpastes,
• whitening pastes,
• pastes for hypersensitive teeth,
• toothpastes designed for use with electric toothbrushes.

How to select toothpaste?

The first element to pay attention to when choosing a toothpaste is the age or specific characteristics of the teeth. It is better to buy a toothpaste dedicated to children or people at risk of periodontitis than to stop with a traditional one. On the other hand, dentin hypersensitivity may cause the lumps contained in an average toothpaste to be too thick and cause discomfort. A better solution is to purchase a special toothpaste. Those struggling with infections, on the other hand, should stock up on anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial products.

What happens when we choose the wrong toothpaste?

The main problem will be the lack of adequate protection for our teeth. Too high content of abrasive substances during everyday use may have bad influence on enamel. Individual flavor and fragrance additives may cause allergies. This applies equally to synthetic and natural ingredients. Some ingredients, such as peppermint oil or glycerin, can cause heartburn, abdominal pain or nausea if swallowed. So it’s not a good idea to fully succumb to colorful advertisements that tout particular products. A better option is to read labels and comments online. They can be very helpful.

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