Park
Cities Dental
"The
Art and Science of a Healthy Smile"
Toothpaste
Why is brushing with toothpaste
important?
Brushing with toothpaste (also called a "dentifrice")
is important for several reasons. First and foremost, a toothpaste and
a correct brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful film
of bacteria that grows on your teeth that causes caries, gum disease, and
eventual tooth loss if not controlled. Second, the toothpaste contains
fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay
and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before
the damage can even be seen. Third, special ingredients in the dentifrice
help to clean and polish the teeth and remove stains over time. Fourth,
toothpastes help freshen breath and leave your mouth with a clean feeling.
What type of toothpaste should
I use?
As long as your toothpaste contains fluoride, the brand
you buy really does not matter, whether or not it is in paste, gel, or
even powder form, or containing a certain flavor. All fluoride dentifrices
work effectively to fight plaque and cavities and clean and polish tooth
enamel. Your dentifrice brand should also bear the ADA (American Dental
Association) seal of approval on the container, which means that adequate
evidence of safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in controlled clinical
trials.
If your teeth are hypersensitive to hot or cold, consider trying a dentifrice designed for sensitive teeth Dentifrices containing baking soda and/or hydrogen peroxide (which are both good cleansing agents) give the teeth and mouth a clean, fresh, pleasant feeling that can offer an incentive to brush more, but fluoride is the true active ingredient at work protecting your teeth. Some prefer a tartar control toothpaste containing pyrophosphates to prevent the buildup of soft calculus deposits on their teeth. New pastes offer advanced whitening formulas aimed at safely removing stains to make teeth brighter and shinier, although they can't nearly match the effectiveness of a professional bleaching formula administered or prescribed by a dentist.
How much should I use?
Contrary to what toothpaste commercials show, the amount of paste
or gel needed on your brush for effective cleaning does not have to be
a heaping amount. Simply squeeze on a pea-sized dab of paste on the top
half of your brush. If you brush correctly holding the toothbrush at a
45-degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth, the paste
should foam enough to cover all of your teeth. Children under 6, however,
should only be given a very small, baby pea-sized dab of dentifrice on
their brush.
Is brushing with toothpaste enough
to fight cavities and gum disease?
No. Although brushing thoroughly after each meal helps, flossing
your teeth every day to remove plaque and food particles between teeth
and at the gum line is Just as important. Studies show that plaque will re-grow on teeth that are completely clean within 3 to 4 hours of brushing.