With so many products on the market, it can be hard to know which toothpaste is right for your specific dental needs. A safe bet is to look for the seal of the American Dental Association on the box, as you can be sure that the product has been tested by experts and will deliver on its promises. To narrow down your choices further, we’ve picked four top tubes of toothpaste for some of the most common dental issues we see in our offices every day.
1. For Sensitive Teeth
You know you have sensitive teeth when those pearly whites hurt when you eat something hot or cold. There can be a few factors behind this problem, such as reduced enamel or receding gums, which exposes more dentine and microscopic channels called tubules that run from the outside of the tooth to the nerve. Sensodyne Fresh Impact Toothpaste helps stop or reduce sensitivity by building a barrier around he outside of the tooth, preventing cold or hot substances from hitting the dentine or slipping through the tubules and hitting the nerve. Sensodyne toothpaste is not only ADA approved, it’s also the #1 sensitivity toothpaste recommended by dentists, and for good reason — this stuff really works.
Sensodyne Fresh Impact Toothpaste, $6.19, Drugstore.com
2. For Whiter Teeth
As we’ve talked about before, whitening toothpaste typically works by using a combination of bleaching agents and abrasive particles to lift stains off of the surface of your teeth. Tom’s of Maine Simply White toothpaste is a bit different because it’s all-natural and actually doesn’t contain any bleach. Rather, the product relies on naturally sourced silicas to help clean away stains, and their website gives you an explanation of what each ingredient does in its formula. It’s also worth noting that this is the only natural toothpaste endorsed by the ADA, so it’s definitely one to try.
Tom’s of Maine Simply White Toothpaste, $4.99, Tom’s of Maine
3. For Cavity Protection
Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste is one of our favorite formulas because you can find it anywhere, and because its active ingredient, sodium monofluorophosphate, has been shown to be excellent at fortifying your teeth and ridding your mouth of bacteria that can cause those pesky holes over time. Remember, though, toothpaste alone can’t keep cavities at bay. You’ll need to do your part by maintaining a thorough and effective oral hygiene regimen, especially after you’ve eaten sugary, sticky, or acidic foods.
Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste, $3.99, Drugstore.com
4. For Tartar Control
Tartar is that hardened buildup on your teeth that only your dental hygienist can remove at the office. And, while tartar control toothpaste can’t do any damage against existing tartar buildup, it can help prevent future patches from forming. A toothpaste like Crest Tartar Prevention does this thanks to the ingredients di- and tetrasodium pyrophosphate, which attract and dissolve tartar-forming compounds that are released when bacteria attack food particles in the mouth. If you use a tartar-control toothpaste diligently, you could have a lot less plaque to scrape away at your next dental appointment — we bet your hygienist will thank you!
Crest Tartar Prevention Toothpaste, $2.75-$3.35, Crest.com
Now that you know the basics of some of the best toothpastes on the market, your decision will be easier time next time you’re in the oral hygiene aisle at the drugstore. Do you have a toothpaste you love to use, or are you still not sure what kind is right for you? Feel free to get in touch with our office, or let us know in the comments!
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