Frequently Asked Dental Questions

Did you know? One toothpaste doesn’t always fit the entire family. Your young children may require a different type.

Just about all of our patients have a question about an aspect of oral health. But they don’t ask. They think we’re too busy. Or they’re afraid of appearing dumb.

So their question goes unasked and unanswered.

We collected one of the most frequently thought-about questions and posted the answer here. We’ll tackle other unasked questions in future articles.

Q: What’s the best type of toothpaste?

These days, toothpaste is generally considered a basic necessity. Naturally, marketers see each of us a potential customer. So it makes it difficult to evaluate the claims and promises. With so many choices, your search is bound to uncover the toothpaste that’s right for you.

However, if you’re not disciplined about brushing and flossing, no toothpaste will save your smile. While toothpaste may get a lot of advertising money, what you put on your toothbrush is less important than using your toothbrush!

If it’s time to rethink your toothpaste choice, here are some things to consider.

1. Fluoride

Some toothpastes contain fluoride and others do not. Numerous studies show fluoride is safe and effective as it prevents and limits tooth decay. As a general rule, children below 18 months of age do not need to use toothpaste, children between the age of 18 months – 5 years should use a toothpaste with 500 – 500 ppm of fluoride and everyone above the age of six years should use a toothpaste with 1000 – 1500 ppm fluoride.

2. Sensitive teeth

If you have especially sensitive teeth, look for a desensitising toothpastes. There are few different compounds that have different mechanism of action . First type of compound works by blocking pain signals originating in the teeth thus making your teeth less sensitive for example potassium nitrate and potassium citrate. The second compound works by blocking the pores in the roots of the teeth (dentinal tubules) for example Pro-argin and NovaMin. Both compounds are equally effective.

3. Whitening

Whitening toothpaste contains very low concentration of peroxide and there is no evidence of its effectiveness at such low concentration. It also contains abrasives that work by removing superficial stains to make your teeth look whiter. Professional whitening done in dentist’s office gives you far better and longer lasting result.

With the huge variety available, choosing a toothpaste may not seem that simple but remember, the best toothpaste is the the one that you will use everyday!