What Features Do You Really Need in Tooth Care Products?
Posted on: 21 November 2016
With all of the toothpastes and floss types you can find in the tooth care aisle, you might think that your only option is to grab something and hope for the best, much like choosing a breakfast cereal from the infinite rows of options. With tooth care products, though, there are some guidelines you can use to choose which ones will work for you. Here's a look at the features that you should have at a minimum in the following products.
Toothpaste
At a minimum, your toothpaste should have the American Dental Association's seal, a small square that says "ADA Accepted American Dental Association." That indicates the toothpaste has met certain safety standards set by the national dental association. Next, look for fluoride, but don't worry about finding larger and larger amounts. You want a typical fluoride level, and toothpastes labeled as anti-cavity may contain more fluoride than you really need. A toothpaste that does not contain fluoride can work well if your brushing technique is excellent, but you're better off having some fluoride in there. If you have sensitive teeth, definitely look for potassium nitrate in the ingredients. Toothpastes containing these should be labeled as being for sensitive teeth.
Other ingredients aren't necessarily window dressing, but, if you're trying to find toothpaste that's as inexpensive as possible and want to strip away unnecessary features, those three are your go-to features.
One feature to be wary of is whitening. These toothpastes can be abrasive and end up scratching your enamel just enough to make sensitivity worse or possibly bring it about in the first place.
Floss
For floss, you really just need that ADA seal. Features of floss, such as waxing, flavor, ribbon vs. string, and so on, are a matter of personal preference. If you have sensitive gums, you might benefit from one of the softer threadlike flosses available; other than that, flossing is more about technique than anything else.
Mouthwash
If you guessed that mouthwash should have the ADA seal, you're right. The ingredients in mouthwash do make a difference as well. For example, alcohol in a mouthwash can be irritating and drying; you may want to look for an alcohol-free mouthwash. If you want the mouthwash to fight gum problems, one that is antibacterial (or better yet, a prescription mouthwash from your dentist) is best, but, for fighting bad breath, a typical breath-freshening mouthwash is better. The main purpose of the mouthwash will be listed on the label. You can find combination mouthwashes, too.
Call your dentist's office and ask them if they have any suggestions, or find out which brands they use for the sample toothpaste and floss that they hand out to patients, which would give you a basic pairing to start with. If you need more information about brushing technique or which products you should be using, check out http://www.vanyodentistry.com too.
Share