There are many varieties of toothpaste available to help you maintain good dental hygiene. If you are not sure what type of dentifrice (the technical name for toothpaste) to use then a good idea is to ask your dentist or dental hygienist.
If you have sensitive teeth you might want to try a toothpaste that is designed to help that condition.
If you have young children you may wish to choose a toothpaste with a fruity flavor. For babies and toddlers you should pick a toothpaste that doesn’t contain fluoride, but for older kids and adults, fluoride is a good ingredient because it helps protect your teeth and make them stronger.
Here are some of the main ingredients that go into most toothpastes:
-
Abrasive agents. These are scratchy materials that help remove food, bacteria, and some stains from your teeth to improve and maintain dental wellness.
-
Flavoring. Artificial sweeteners such as saccharin are often added to toothpaste to make them taste better. Most people think toothpaste has to taste minty, but really there are a lot of flavors available.
-
Humectants. These are added to prevent the toothpaste from drying out.
-
Thickening agents. These help the toothpaste to have the proper texture. They include gums and gooey agents derived from seaweed.
-
Detergents. This is what makes the toothpaste get sudsy when you brush with it. The most common detergent is sodium lauryl sulfate.
Again, if you want a recommendation about the best toothpaste for your own dental needs, ask your dental care professional, dentist or dental hygienist.