The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth every day as one part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Along with flossing each evening, this is designed to clean away food material and plaque from your teeth and gum line.
A toothpaste formulated with mild abrasives and added fluoride is the standard in many American households. However, there are other brands and types of toothpaste with special additives to help meet other special dental needs. To aid in this endeavor, Dr. Forrest Packard and Dr. Kevin Packard offer some of the following toothpaste insights.
The first thing to keep in mind is to always look for the American Dental Associations Seal of Acceptance before considering a specific toothpaste. This small seal represents that the ADA has researched and tested the active ingredients. As long as it meets rigorous standards, the toothpaste is recognized for safety and effectiveness in a daily oral hygiene routine.
Most of the whitening toothpaste sold in stores use a mild concentration of hydrogen peroxide to help remove surface stains. Just keep in mind that these mild concentrations of hydrogen peroxide will not be strong enough to remove moderate and deep stains on teeth.
There are some brands of toothpaste that have been formulated to reduce symptoms of tooth sensitivity. While these might provide short-term relief from discomfort you will still seek professional diagnosis and care. The increased sensitivity could be a symptom of a more serious dental health issue.
You might also be interested in a nonabrasive toothpaste to clean a removable dental appliance like a partial or dentures. This could also be handy for maintaining a custom mouth guard, night guard or snore guard. Some types of nonabrasive toothpaste are also formulated to help mitigate symptoms associated with chronic dry mouth.
If you live in the Ellensburg, Washington area, and you need further advice for selecting a new toothpaste, you can always call 509-933-4800 to seek further insights from a member of our team. Dr. Forrest Packard and Dr. Kevin Packard are here to help you create a healthy, confident smile for years to come!