There are thousands of toothpastes on the shelves so how do you choose? This is the type of question Dr. Kevin Andersen and his team at New Look Dental gets asked all the time by patients because of his commitment to their comfort and satisfaction.
Toothpastes, toothbrushes, and mouthwashes are produced by a variety of brands with a variety of ingredients for a variety of purposes – and even after sorting through them all, you can still end up with one that tastes bad to you or just doesn’t leave that clean feeling you want. The Canadian Dental Association currently recognizes 42 different toothpaste brands that include categories such as original toothpaste, fluoride toothpaste, whitening toothpaste, enamel toothpaste, tartar fighting toothpaste, sensitive toothpaste, repair and prevent toothpaste, gum defense toothpaste, cavity protection toothpaste, and even ultra-fresh toothpaste to name a few.
If you think like most people that toothpaste is the key to better oral hygiene, then you’re not listening to your hygienist or dentist during your checkups. It is all about technique. The safest, most effective combination you can use on your teeth is a soft bristle toothbrush and water, twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. Back up this simple exercise by flossing at least once a day, without fail – and you will have the healthiest mouth around. A good rule of thumb is no rinsing, eating or drinking until 30 minutes after brushing.
Commercial toothpaste masks or conceals odours with stronger flavors like mint and since every toothpaste has some form of abrasive ingredient to help remove stains – all toothpastes qualify as teeth whitening toothpastes. Other ingredients such as fillers, fluorides, sweeteners, and other unnecessary (and harmful) ingredients just add to the confusion.
When it comes to healthy and the right toothpaste, it’s all about the ingredients. Ben Franklin used a combination of honey and ground charcoal to clean his teeth; an ancient Egyptian recipe discovered in 2003 dating back more than 1,500 years that combined one drachma of rock salt – approximately 100th of an ounce – two drachmas of mint, one drachma of dried iris flower and 20 grains of pepper all carefully crushed and mixed together to form the best known “powder for white and perfect teeth.”
When it comes to store-bought toothpastes – avoid any toothpaste that has more than six or seven ingredients and never buy anything that contains chemicals or ingredients that you cannot identify. Toothpaste makes various claims about cavity protection, gingivitis, plaque, sensitivity, tartar, whitening, and breath-freshening. Remember, along with flossing, using good toothpaste is an essential part of your daily dental care routine. The pastes, gels or powders enhance the brushing and cleaning power of your toothbrush. Be sure they contain fluoride so that they will effectively remove plaque, the bacteria film that forms on your gums and teeth after you eat.
If you have questions about the right toothpaste for your smile, or any of our other dental services, contact New Look Dental at 250-768-7671 to set up your appointment today in West Kelowna. We’re always happy to accept new patients, and we look forward to meeting you.