How to Choose The Right Toothpaste and Toothbrush

With all the ads on TV and with all the choice at the grocery store, you might find yourself wondering which actually are the right toothpaste and toothbrush for you. We often end up buying just a random product that is either on sale or that looks promising. However, we all have different needs and in order to keep our oral health at its best, we need to use the right products for us. This is why in this article we’ll tell you what you should be looking for in a toothbrush and toothpaste.

What to Look for in A toothpaste?

• Fluoride

Fluoride is an active ingredient in most but not in all toothpaste formulas. It’s important that you look for this ingredient when buying your toothpaste because it’s very beneficial for your teeth. It helps strengthen your enamel and this way it prevents the formation of cavities. The benefits of fluoride for your teeth are proven and any dentist would tell that is the best choice if you’re looking for a preventative dental care. It is also the reason why there are professional fluoride treatments and why they’re so effective for keeping your teeth strong.

• Sensitive teeth

If your teeth hurt from hot, cold or sweet foods and beverages, then you’re dealing with sensitivity. In this case, you want to make a part of your oral hygiene routine toothpaste that is specially designed for sensitive teeth. This type of toothpaste also helps strengthen the enamel and makes your teeth less susceptible to hot or cold temperatures that lead to sharp pain. If you suffer from over sensitivity, you should also avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks that can worsen your pain.

• Whitening

With time, it’s only natural that your teeth lose their brightness and become a little yellowish and dull. However, we all strive for a beautiful white smile we can proudly show around. Besides the professional dental whitening you can opt for, you may also want to go for whitening toothpaste. Most toothpaste brands offer whitening toothpaste options as well but there are also ones you can only buy in a pharmacy or a drug store. You can ask your dentist for advice and recommendations for those. Whichever one you choose, take a look at the ingredients and look for either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. One of these ingredients will be the best at removing surface-level tooth stains and leaving you with a more radiant smile. Whitening toothpaste is affordable at home option you can go for.

• Tartar And Plaque Control

Plaque and tartar are usually caused by poor dental hygiene. However, some people are more prone to suffering from that even if they take great care of their oral health. Plaque can lead to cavities and gum disease and if it’s not removed regularly, it can harden and turn into tartar. Tartar is even harder to remove and can be the reason for dental complications. It’s good to choose toothpaste that helps prevent tartar. However, if you want to achieve the best results, schedule an appointment with your dentist twice a year for a professional dental cleaning that effectively removes build up plaque and tartar.

• Avoid sweetened toothpaste

It’s a well-known fact that sugar is bad for your health and especially for your teeth. It can destroy your enamel and lead to tooth decay. Some amount of sugar is probably acceptable but it should be avoided as much as possible, especially in your dental care routine. You shouldn’t choose toothpaste that is extremely sweet. A lot of children’s toothpaste is usually very sweet because kids naturally prefer that taste and that makes them enjoy brushing their teeth. However, you want to keep an eye on the ingredients because oral health is crucial from a young age.

What to Look for In a Toothbrush?

Besides the importance of the right toothpaste for you, you should be mindful when choosing a toothbrush as well. Maybe you already have a favorite one or maybe you don’t really care what toothbrush you’re using. However, we’ll now share with you why and how to make a mindful choice next time you need to replace your toothbrush.

• Look for Soft Bristles

Choosing a toothbrush with soft bristles is a must and most dentists will tell you that. The soft bristles will effectively remove plaque from your teeth while being gentle to your enamel and gums. Hard bristles can irritate your gums and can make your teeth sensitive, so you should avoid those.

• Small-headed toothbrush

The toothbrush’s head is also an important part of your choice. Look for a small-headed toothbrush because it can easily clean all areas of your mouth, including the back teeth that are hard to reach. However, not all toothbrush shapes are suitable for everyone as everyone’s mouth and teeth are different, so you may have to experiment to find the best for you.

• Electric Toothbrush

Powered toothbrushes are very effective in cleaning your teeth. Even if you’re a fan of the manual ones, don’t be afraid to try because you might be surprised. Besides they’re better for people who have difficulty brushing their teeth and they can look like more fun to kids. If you do choose an electric one though, you still need to replace the head every three months.

• Choose the Right-size Toothbrush for Your Kid

Oral health is important and the habits of taking care of your teeth should be made in the early years of every kid. Luckily, nowadays there is plenty of choices, so you can get the right toothbrush for your little one no matter what their age is. Babies need baby toothbrushes and kids need kid-sized ones. You should look at the label to see what age the toothbrush is recommended for. Besides that, your child can have a little fun in choosing cool prints and colors. Also, don’t forget to change their toothbrush (as well as yours) every three months for best results.

The best way to keep good oral health is to brush your teeth twice a day and to floss daily. But choosing the right toothpaste and toothbrush is like going the extra mile. Brushing your teeth with the right tools for your needs will decrease your risk of cavities and will promote healthy gums, teeth, and fresh breath. However, some things are out of your control no matter how responsibly you take your oral hygiene. So you should also make sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist twice a year for a dental checkup and for a professional teeth cleaning.