How to choose the best toothpaste for your teeth

Which toothpaste should you use to be good for your oral health? Refer to the advice below to make the best choice for yourself.

Are you overwhelmed by the colorful toothpaste boxes on store shelves? Are you wondering which type of toothpaste to choose or any type is fine?

Choosing the right type of toothpaste will help protect your teeth effectively. (Illustration photo: Pexels).

In fact, choosing the right toothpaste is important for maintaining good oral hygiene. Below are some suggestions for you to choose from.

Kind for children

According to Health News, toothpaste for children often has bright colors like red, orange, fruit flavors, and attractive packaging to encourage brushing habits. Children under 6 years old should use toothpaste with a fluoride content of 1,000 ppm F, while children over 6 years old should use 1,500 ppm F.

However, children can get fluorosis if they swallow a lot of toothpaste. Therefore, parents should keep toothpaste out of children's reach to avoid accidental swallowing. It is important to teach children to spit out toothpaste instead of swallowing it.

Type for strong teeth

For healthy adults without dental diseases such as gingivitis or tooth decay, fluoride toothpaste is a good choice to maintain oral health. Fluoride makes tooth enamel stronger, making teeth less susceptible to damage from bacterial acids.

Bacterial acids can demineralize teeth and cause cavities. Fluoride helps remineralize teeth to reverse the early stages of damage.

Whitening type

Although teeth whitening can be done at the dentist's office, many people prefer to treat it at home with whitening toothpaste, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Whitening toothpaste helps remove any external stains on the tooth surface. These stains can be caused by smoking or drinking beverages containing caffeine.

Whitening toothpaste contains bleaching agents such as silica, pyrophosphate and hydrogen peroxide. Some of these substances can be abrasive and cause irritation in or around the mouth. So, consult your dentist if you experience any such symptoms.

Note that whitening toothpaste does not work on any internal damage such as tooth decay.

Eye-catching, colorful toothpaste is often designed for young children. (Illustration photo: Pexels).

Type for sensitive teeth

Many people cannot eat hot or cold foods such as coffee or ice cream due to sensitive teeth. Consult your dentist if you experience tooth pain when touched or by any other irritant.

People with sensitive teeth should use toothpaste containing potassium and fluoride. Toothpastes containing strontium chloride, calcium carbonate or arginine are also common. Research has shown that toothaches are reduced after using desensitizing toothpaste for at least eight weeks.

Tartar control type

Harmful bacteria in the mouth create biofilm on the teeth, leading to dental plaque. When calcium and phosphate in saliva become trapped in biofilms, they can crystallize to form calculus or tartar.

Normally, to remove tartar, people often go to the dental clinic. But at home, choosing a tartar control toothpaste also helps. These creams contain ingredients such as zinc citrate and an antibiotic (triclosan) to control tartar.

The type that contains herbs

Instead of synthetic active ingredients, some toothpastes contain extracts from natural herbs and plants. The most common ingredients in herbal toothpaste are cloves, cinnamon, mint, and charcoal powder.