|
How Much Should I Use?
Contrary to what you've seen on commercials, you don't need to load your entire brush with toothpaste and make that nice little swirl at the end. The amount of paste or gel needed for effective cleaning is a pea-sized dab on the top half of your brush. Children under six, however, should only be given 1/2 this amount.
It’s Enough To Just Brush, Right?
Nope. Although brushing thoroughly after each meal helps, flossing your teeth every day to remove plaque and food particles between the teeth and at the gumline is just as important. Plaque begins to regrow within a matter of a few hours after brushing, even if your teeth are perfectly clean - it's a constant battle. Dentists recommended that you floss at least once a day.
Whitening Toothpastes
One must be careful when using these due to their abrasiveness. These should not be used exclusively but should be incorporated into a routine using a fluoride paste. Make sure you’re not using a whitening paste every time you brush; it’s recommended that you use these products at most only once every day or two. Certain brands can be more abrasive than others. The verdict is still out on their efficacy; at best, their results are questionable. Some patients claim to notice a brightening of a few shades, while others notice nothing at all. This difference is not surprising due to the variety of diets out there and due to the simple fact that all teeth were not created equal - some stain more readily than others. If you're at all serious about whitening your teeth, discuss the options with your dentist. The bottomline is that most whitening toothpastes simply don’t contain enough active ingredients to make much of a difference.
Tartar Control Toothpastes
Recent studies indicate that tartar control toothpastes really aren't doing quite the job they claim to do. They're not removing the tartar. However, whether or not they prevent the accumulation of additional tartar is still open for debate. What is known is that they do not reduce the tartar that forms below the gums, where periodontal disease occurs. They also usually contain more abrasives (silica) than standard toothpastes; use of these products can produce significant abrasion in a short period of time. If you already have some recession, your exposed roots will wear and abrade even faster than enamel (cementum is far easier to abrade than enamel). Be careful to brush very gently when using these products.
Smoker's Toothpastes
These types of toothpastes are generally not recommended because of their potential for causing gum recession and tooth abrasion. The most effective way to beat smoking stains is to stop smoking. But, in the meantime professional cleanings will offer you the greatest results.
Desensitizing Toothpastes
Actually, they have been quite successful for the majority of people using them. Generally, they are needed when a patient has some degree of gum recession. Exposed root surfaces can be very sensitive to temperature, touch, or sweet. There are a number of brands currently on the market. There's a fair amount of variety between the different ingredients between brands. If you're not happy with one, you might want to try another brand. However, if you’re experiencing sensitivity, be sure to have your dentist check it out first to make sure it's not a sign of a more serious dental problem.
Gum Care Toothpastes
Gum care toothpastes are a mixed bag. Instead of the usual sodium fluoride found in most brands of toothpastes, this new type contains stannous fluoride. While some studies show stannous fluoride may be helpful in reducing the incidence of gingivitis, it has also been suggested that it is not quite as effective at protecting against cavities as sodium fluoride. The bottomline, is that any toothpaste containing fluoride (stannous or not) is fine. If you have gingivitis, these may offer you a slight advantage over their conventional counterparts.
Baking Soda Toothpastes
There have been no conclusive studies that prove baking soda toothpastes significantly reduce cavities compared to other toothpastes. If you enjoy using this variety, great. The only problem that we're aware of with these brands is that many of them contain peroxides which are irritating to the gums and oral tissues.
The Bottomline
Brush with the toothpaste of your choice (as long as it contains fluoride) for at least 2 minutes twice a day using a soft bristled toothbrush. The majority of people only brush their teeth for only 15-20 seconds once a day! Proper brushing technique is far more important than the brand or type of toothpaste used. Flossing at least once a day is also strongly recommended; it removes food debris and plaque from between teeth where your brush simply can't reach.
|
