Dental News

What to Look for When Shopping for Toothpaste

September 15, 2016

What to Look for When Shopping for Toothpaste

There are hundreds of toothpaste options out there and we know that it can be difficult to choose between them. You have a variety of forms, flavors, endorsements, and claimed benefits. So how do you make the right choice for your teeth? You can always ask California Dental Group for a specific recommendation when you visit us for your dental cleaning and exam, or you can follow these tips to narrow down the choices.

Look for the ADA Seal of Approval

Every toothpaste on the shelf must be approved by the FDA before it can be legally sold to consumers. However, the American Dental Association, otherwise known as the ADA, puts toothpaste through much more vigorous testing to determine not just that it’s safe but that it’s effective. When you see a toothpaste that’s been granted the ADA’s Seal of Approval, you can feel confident that it’s a high quality option.

Fluoride is essential

Unless there’s a specific reason you can’t use fluoride, such as a sensitivity or allergy, then you should absolutely have fluoride in your toothpaste. Why? It actually protects your teeth from decaying by removing your plaque and helping keep your enamel strong. Many public water supplies contain fluoride but many people are still not getting enough, thanks to the increase in bottled water consumption. Still not convinced? Consider that the ADA requires toothpaste to be fluoridated in order to award it with their Seal of Approval.

There are several other benefits to look for

At California Dental Group, we also suggest you look for a few other benefits. You do want it to be approved by the ADA, you want it to contain fluoride, and you want to make sure that the ingredients are actually helpful and not harmful. One common example is a whitening toothpaste that uses an abrasive substance to remove stains from the surface of your teeth. Those these abrasives may or may not help your teeth look whiter, they may actually hurt your teeth if your enamel is weak. If you want teeth whitening, let us handle it for you in a safe and effective manner.

A specialty toothpaste may be the best option for you

In some cases, we may recommend a specialty toothpaste as the best option for your home care routine. It all depends on the needs of your particular teeth. For example, we may prescribe you a fluoride toothpaste that’s prescription strength. This is often what we do for patients who are prone to tooth decay or have frequent cavities even though they brush and floss on a regular basis. In other cases, a person with sensitive teeth may choose a toothpaste made specifically for their needs.

If you’re not sure what specialty needs you have, then it’s time to visit California Dental Group. Call us at (800) 407-0161 to set up your appointment and let us help you get the healthy, dazzling smile you’ve always wished you had.

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