During the course of your life, you will make many important decisions. You will choose which career path to follow, which house to buy, when to get married, when to have children, and so much more. When compared to these life-changing decisions, choosing a toothpaste should be easy, right? Well, not necessarily. There are literally thousands of toothpastes to choose from, so narrowing it down to just one can be tough. However, finding the best toothpaste for your dental needs is important to your dental health. Here are some tips to help you find the right toothpaste.
- Always look for the seal of the American Dental Association. The ADA puts their seal of approval on toothpastes that are considered to be effective and safe. The important thing about the ADA seal is that it is only good for three years. This means that manufacturers have to reapply for it in order to keep the seal on their product – which means that the toothpaste has to prove itself safe and effective time and time again.
- Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride helps combat tooth decay. It is naturally found in various foods and water. The addition of fluoride in toothpaste gives you that much more protection against dental problems. Most dentists recommend a toothpaste that has the ADA seal of approval and the addition of fluoride.
- Consider your personal needs. If you have sensitive teeth, you need a toothpaste designed for that problem. If you want to give your teeth a little bit of surface whitening, choose a toothpaste that helps to brighten and whiten teeth. You want a toothpaste that doesn’t taste awful, too – no one wants to brush their teeth with a yucky-flavored toothpaste!
- If you have dentures, you need to choose a toothpaste designed to clean dentures. Dentures can hold stains and odors more easily than natural teeth. This means they require a different kind of cleaning paste and/or solution to ensure they are clean and free from odors. You can ask your dentist which type of cleaning paste and/or solution is best for dentures.
- During your search for the perfect toothpaste, you are bound to run across different varieties, such as all-natural pastes and antibacterial pastes. These types of toothpastes may be best for your needs – for instance, all-natural pastes may be right for you if you are sensitive to chemicals.
Finding the best toothpaste to meet your needs doesn’t have to be a challenge. One of the best factors in making your decision is that special ADA seal of approval. This is your first indicator that the toothpaste is a good choice – good enough for the American Dental Association to give its approval. Once you find toothpastes with the ADA seal, you can then narrow your choice down even more based on your personal preferences. If you are ever in doubt about your choice of toothpaste, don’t be afraid to ask your dentist. He knows your teeth inside and out, so he can point you in the right direction.
