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.
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