5 Questions to Consider Before Buying Toothpaste

The variety of toothpaste is overwhelming, whether on supermarkets' shelves to online stores. Despite the variety, most consumers only buy the brand they have used for years — often the one introduced to them by their parents.

Most toothpaste types have specific functions, like teeth whitening, fresh breath, or cavity and sensitivity protection. So, if you choose the wrong toothpaste type, you may not get your desired result.

Therefore, before buying your next toothpaste tube, consider the following five questions.

1. Is the Toothpaste ADA Approved?

Before you trust the details on a toothpaste's packaging, ensure that it has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This seal assures that the toothpaste contains all the required ingredients in the right quantities to offer the desired benefit. For example, since fluoride is crucial in preventing dental decay and other problems, toothpaste must contain fluoride to earn ADA approval.

Therefore, when you buy toothpaste with an ADA seal of approval, you are assured that it delivers what it claims and has all the crucial dental ingredients.

2. How Is the Toothpaste's Fluoride Content?

Fluoride is a crucial ingredient in any toothpaste type — cavity protection or breath freshening. However, though fluoride protects your teeth's enamel, too much fluoride can cause dental fluorosis, especially in children.

A typical toothpaste should contain 1,000 to 1,500 ppm fluoride, but your dentist may recommend one with a higher amount if you are at risk of tooth decay. On the other hand, if you wish to avoid fluoride use, choose natural toothpaste with minimal or no fluoride.

3. What Is the Toothpaste's Goal?

Since each toothpaste type has a specific dental hygiene function, the ingredients may vary among different toothpaste types. For example, since a cavity protection toothpaste aims to strengthen the enamel to prevent cavities, such a toothpaste may have a higher fluoride amount than a breath-freshening toothpaste that gives users a fresher breath.

Therefore, consider your dental hygiene needs and preferences before determining the toothpaste type that best suits you.

4. How Is the Toothpaste's Taste and Texture?

Though toothpaste's taste is not as essential as the ingredients of toothpaste, a toothpaste with awful taste or texture can discourage you from brushing your teeth. On the other hand, if your toothpaste has a flavor and texture that you enjoy, you will likely love brushing your teeth.

The change in brushing frequency will significantly affect your oral health. For example, brushing less than the recommended times a day can lead to poor dental health, promoting dental diseases like cavities, gingivitis, and tooth decay.

5. Is the Toothpaste Brand Reputable?

Dentists mostly recommend toothpaste from popular brands because they are ADA-approved. Big toothpaste brands also have adequately funded research departments that develop the best formulas to prevent and cure dental issues.

While toothpaste from a small manufacturer may meet all the necessary safety and efficacy requirements, it may lack some unique features that give users additional benefits. For example, toothpaste from a famous brand may have improved packaging, making it easier to squeeze toothpaste onto your brush.

Nowadays, choosing the right toothpaste might be challenging due to the wide variety. However, considering the above factors before deciding, you will increase your chances of choosing the perfect toothpaste for you, depending on your dental condition, tastes, and preferences. If you are still unsure which, toothpaste type suits you best, ask for a recommendation from a local dentist.

At Henderson Family Dentistry, we are committed to serving our clients with caring and quality dentistry in a comfortable environment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our team of experienced dentists. We look forward to serving you.