Just as we pay attention to the ingredients and active ingredients included in the cosmetics and creams we apply, we should do the same with the product responsible for keeping our teeth in perfect condition. Depending on its ingredients and the health of the teeth, it will be necessary to use one type or another.
Tips for choosing toothpaste
The main factor that we must take into account to know which toothpaste is the right one for us, is our oral health. For this reason, it will be very important to visit a dentist who, after a detailed evaluation, will indicate the situation of our mouth and its needs so that, in relation to this, he/she can give advice.
The type of toothpaste I need
We have different needs and in the case of oral health, too. To choose the right toothpaste in each case will depend on the health we enjoy and the aesthetic objectives we are looking for:
– Healthy mouth: if the patient has a healthy mouth that he/she seeks to keep clean and with a correct plaque control, a normal toothpaste with fluoride will be enough for the teeth to be remineralized and the enamel to remain reinforced. The concentration of fluoride should be between 1000 and 1500 parts million to act effectively.
-Tooth sensitivity: if you suffer from tooth sensitivity and suffer pain when faced with temperature changes or with sweet and acid flavors, a toothpaste capable of creating a protective layer on the teeth and strengthening the enamel will be necessary to reduce sensitivity. For this purpose, active ingredients such as potassium nitrate will be beneficial.
-Gingivitis: toothpaste also has to take care of the health of the gums, especially if you suffer from alterations that cause them to bleed and hurt. To treat this condition it will be necessary, in addition to a correct brushing, to look for a toothpaste containing fluoride and also some antiseptic such as triclosan or stannous fluoride which, in a stabilized form, is very effective in inhibiting bacterial plaque and reducing the possibility of suffering gingivitis thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory content.
-For a whitening result: if you are looking to whiten the shade, toothpastes will not be able to provide a sufficient concentration of whitening ingredients such as peroxide, so it will be a very superficial result. Therefore, if you want to improve the color of your teeth in a lasting and optimal way, it is best to go to a dentist who can offer the best personalized option for this.
-With orthodontics: with orthodontics there is a greater risk of accumulating plaque, so you should look for a specific toothpaste for these cases.
Ingredients such as chlorhexidine, for its antibacterial capacity, or active ingredients that reduce inflammation such as fluoride or potassium nitrate together with active ingredients that reduce salivation levels, will be key.
What is recommended for children
-Children: Children should not use the same toothpastes as adults, as specific compounds in these products are calculated according to the weight of the individuals. On the other hand, the different stages in children’s mouths, such as the eruption of teeth and their formation, should also be taken into account when choosing this product.
From 0 to 2 years of age, a paste of up to 1,000 parts per million should be used. A child between 3 and 5 years of age can use a concentration of up to 1,450 ppm, always according to the recommendations of the dentist. From the age of 6, toothpaste can contain 1,450 ppm of fluoride or more, also depending on the amount of product used. It will be from the age of 12 when an adult toothpaste can be used.
In cases of periodontitis or more serious diseases, it will be essential that dental professionals are in charge of treating the conditions and providing the solution to the patient.