Selecting the right toothpaste has become a challenge nowadays as there are so many out there on the shelves of grocery stores and pharmacies.

Most consumers and patient are not sure what to use and that is a common question we hear everyday in our practice. Shall we trust the commercials, go by the cost of it or are they all the same and it really doesn`t matter what kind we use.

Here are some helpful tips when selecting the most appropriate toothpaste for yourself.

  1.  Fluorides are very important to increase and maintain resistance of the tooth to decay. Ideally, over the counter toothpastes should have at least 1000 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride in every tube. Finding American Dental Association stamp of approval on the package is another valuable, but not essential characteristic. Per recommendation from your dentist and dental hygienist you can utilize toothpastes with 5000 ppm of fluoride when indicated, however they are prescription based or can be purchased in the dental office
  2. “Whitening” toothpastes are a double edged sword. On one side they can improve the brightness of the teeth, however they contain abrasive particles that can be detrimental for the enamel and cause sensitivity if used frequently.
  3. Toothpastes for sensitive teeth contain the ingredients to help block the transmission of the painful stimuli from the surface of the tooth towards the sensory part of the tooth. In majority of toothpastes you will find potassium nitrate and fluoride as two main desensitizing ingredients.

All other features of the toothpaste: color, flavor, texture is your preference and it will not affect adversely your dental health.

Sometimes, we would get questions from the patients regarding “natural toothpastes”? The general opinion is that you should look and read the label closely and if you have any concerns discuss it with your dentist. Almost everyday the new toothpaste pops up on the market and we are constantly monitoring the characteristics of it.