Monday 4 November 2013

Tariq Drabu Dentists on Picking the Right Toothpaste for You

At the Langley Dental Practice we’re very eager to make sure that our patients, as well as the wider British public truly understand the benefits of brushing their teeth. Brushing your teeth is the best method to fight off all manner of oral conditions, from gum disease to tooth decay and beyond. Most people understand the necessity of brushing their teeth; it’s something that is taught to us right from the cradle, however how many of us understand the mechanics?

What do we mean by this? We mean that although most people understand the principle, they don’t understand the toothpaste market. The toothpaste market is a very niche healthcare segment, with only a handful companies promoting essentially the same product range. Toothpastes, although they all have a general overarching purpose and are often tailored to include multiple elements, there are still a few individual products that have their own specific purpose. Some are designed to whiten, some to fight off plaque etc. Understanding which toothpaste best suits the purpose you need it for means that you can tailor your brushing regime to fit your needs. So what are some of the different types of paste on the market?

Whitening Toothpastes
These products, despite the fact that they do act to clean, are primarily designed to whiten the teeth of the consumer that uses them. Unlike other toothpastes, these products contain abrasive agents which function by abrading the stain that has formed on the tooth’s surface. In other words the whitening effect comes from a stripping back of the surface stain. They do not often contain actual whitening agents. If you have a diet that involves a lot of coffee or tea, then this type of tooth paste would suit you, as it acts to fight the stains your teeth acquire from your daily intake.

Desensitising Toothpastes
These toothpastes are an investment for people with naturally sensitive teeth, an affliction that a large portion of the British public face. There are usually two ways these pastes provide relief from dentine hypersensitivity. Firstly they interrupt the neurone response to pain stimuli. Secondly they occlude the dentinal tubules of dentine. These two methods act to decrease tooth sensitivity through ingredients such as potassium nitrate and arginine. This is the type of toothpaste to buy if you want to indulge in the occasional ice cream cone.

Fluoride Toothpastes
This is a more general one as many types of toothpaste take advantage of this tooth friendly mineral, although not all do. Fluoride has been instrumental in fighting tooth decay and the occurrence of cavities, amongst other things. It works by tackling the acid that it released by the bacteria in your mouth that feed on the sugar and starch that remain on your teeth long after you've finished eating. It does this by first strengthening tooth enamel against acid and secondly helping fight the first stages of acid erosion by remineralising areas that have started to decay.


Of course, this is only a brief overview of three of the more generalised  types of toothpaste on the market, specifically crafted to deal with certain oral issues. If you want to find out which toothpaste is best suited for your needs then it’s best to go to your local dental specialists who can offer more personal advice as well as provide you with a more comprehensive guide to picking the right toothpaste.