General dentistry focuses on preventative treatments that help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing and flossing are the foundations of preventative dentistry, and the type of toothpaste that you use can make your brushing sessions even more effective.
General dentistry tips: Finding the right toothpaste for you
With so many different types of toothpaste to choose from, figuring out what type works best can be overwhelming. Let us take a detailed look at the common types of toothpaste that dentists recommend.
1. Fluoride toothpaste
General dentistry uses fluoride to re-mineralize teeth with procedures like fluoride treatments. Fluoride helps fight off tooth decay and lowers the risk of infection. It can even help reverse tooth decay in its demineralization stage. Dentists often recommend using fluoride toothpaste when brushing, particularly if a patient is prone to tooth decay or has a sweet tooth.
2. Tartar control toothpaste
Tartar control toothpaste helps reduce the accumulation of tartar deposits on teeth surfaces. Tartar is calcified plaque, and it cannot be removed by brushing or flossing. It contains bacteria and acids that damage teeth. Tartar can also make its way into gum pockets, infecting the tissues there. Tartar deposits are removed during teeth cleaning sessions performed by a dentist.
3. Whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste helps eliminate surface stains that form on teeth, like those caused by the tannins in foods and beverages or tobacco smoke. These products contain whitening agents that remove stains on teeth while providing a barrier that helps prevent new stains.
Whitening toothpaste will not drastically improve the color of teeth as much as teeth whitening treatments, but they can help maintain the results of such treatments. Whitening toothpaste should only be used a couple of times a week to avoid damaging enamel.
4. Desensitizing toothpaste
These contain active ingredients, like potassium nitrate. It reduces the painful sensations that people with sensitive teeth experience when their teeth are exposed to hot and cold foods or beverages. More significant issues like tooth decay usually cause teeth sensitivity, so dental care is needed for a more permanent fix to the problem.
5. Gum disease
People who have been diagnosed with gum disease should explore toothpaste explicitly made for fighting the infection. These products reduce plaque formation in the mouth and help slow down the progression of periodontal disease.
6. Non-fluoride toothpaste
These are great for small children who are likely to swallow toothpaste during brushing sessions. It is also excellent for people who have been diagnosed with fluorosis.
Good oral hygiene helps keep your mouth and body healthy
The right type of toothpaste enables you to get more out of your brushing sessions. Give us a call or stop by our Naperville clinic for more oral hygiene tips.
Request an appointment or call A.Y. Family Dental at 630-687-1322 for an appointment in our Naperville office.
Related Posts
General dentistry treatments are available to restore the function and appearance of your teeth, depending on the severity of the tooth damage. The dentist will examine the cracked tooth and design a suitable treatment plan.The following are common treatments in general dentistry for repairing a damaged or fractured tooth:Dental bonding is often done to fix…
General dentistry checkups provide an opportunity for patients to know the condition of their oral health and receive prompt care for any concerns the dentist may detect. One additional benefit of dental checkups that often gets overlooked is improved overall health and a reduced risk of certain common health conditions.Regular dental checkups have been linked…
A general dentistry practitioner handles all types of cavities, even those that form between the teeth, medically known as interproximal cavities. These are caused by the erosion of the enamel, the tooth's protective outer covering. Although it is the strongest portion of the body, the enamel is continually assaulted by acids produced by oral bacteria…