What You Need to Know to Pick the Right Toothpaste
In the early 1800s, toothpaste was made of chalk and soap.7 It's come a long way since then. Many toothpastes today contain ingredients like fluoride, mild abrasives, sudsing detergents, thickening agents, and flavorings.1
Eye-grabbing packaging and advertising campaigns may only add to your confusion about which toothpaste to use. Toothpastes promise to prevent cavities, whiten teeth, control tartar, fight gum disease, or freshen breath, to name a few. But do toothpastes really deliver on these promises? And which type should you buy? Choosing toothpaste doesn't have to be difficult.1
Where to Start
The American Dental Association's (ADA) Seal of Acceptance program can help you narrow down the search. Toothpaste manufacturers can apply for the Seal by conducting clinical trials and turning in their results. The ADA evaluates their data. Then, it grants the Seal to toothpastes that meet their standards for being safe and effective.1
The Basics
Most dental experts and organizations agree that fluoride is the first thing you should look for in a toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral naturally found in water. Some even say fluoride is the only ingredient you really need. That's because it protects teeth. It can also help repair the early stages of decay.9
It is so effective that most local governments add this mineral to their water supplies. This helps protect people's teeth. Fluoridated water reduces tooth decay by as much as 40 percent.3,4 All toothpastes that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance contain fluoride.1
Beyond the Basics
Fluoride may be all you need in a toothpaste. But you probably want more. You can choose toothpastes that help do different things, such as:
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Whiten teeth. These products do not contain teeth-whitening bleaches. Instead, they use chemicals or polishing agents to remove surface stains. This may make teeth appear brighter.1,8
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Control tartar. These toothpastes can help reduce tartar or calculus--the hard deposits that collect on the roots or crowns of teeth.1,5
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Prevent gum disease. Plague is a naturally occurring, sticky substance made mostly of bacteria that builds up on teeth and can cause cavities and gum disease. These toothpastes control plaque. They can also help reduce gingivitis. Gingivitis is a mild inflammation of the gum tissue.1
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Freshen breath. These products may contain active agents that combat bad breath. They either kill the bacteria in plaque that cause bad breath or neutralize bad odors.1,2
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Desensitize the teeth. Certain products can help prevent cold, acidic, and sweet foods from irritating the nerves and causing tooth discomfort.1,6
And manufacturers claim some newer toothpastes can even do it all. They fight plaque, tartar, cavities, and gingivitis; remove stains; desensitize the teeth; and freshen the breath.1
If you're still stumped, ask your dentist or dental hygienist for help.
1"ADA Seal of Acceptance Program." American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/ada/seal/toothpaste.asp. Accessed 2009.
2"Bad Breath (Halitosis)." American Dental Association. www.ada.org/public/topics/bad_breath.asp. Accessed 2009.
3"Facts About Fluoride." American Dental Association. www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/fluoride_article01.asp. Accessed 2009.
4"Fluoride: Nature's Cavity Fighter in the News." American Dental Association. www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/news.asp. Accessed 2009.
5"Glossary of Dental Terms." American Dental Association. www.ada.org/public/resources/glossary.asp. Accessed 2009.
6"Sensitive Teeth." American Dental Association. www.ada.org/public/topics/sensitive.asp. Accessed 2009.
7"The History of Dental Advances." Academy of General Dentistry, February 2007. www.agd.org/public/oralhealth/Default.asp?IssID=305&Topic=H&ArtID=1256. Accessed 2009.
8"Tooth Whitening Treatments." American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/public/topics/whitening_faq.asp. Accessed 2009.
9"Why Is Brushing with Toothpaste Important?" Academy of General Dentistry, October 2008. www.knowyourteeth.com/print/printpreview.asp?content=article&abc=b&iid=291&aid=1134. Accessed 2009.