Just about everyone knows you should use toothpaste when brushing your teeth, because it helps remove plaque and bacteria and prevents gum disease. However, it can be overwhelming to see all the toothpaste choices in your drugstore. How do you find the right toothpaste for you?
Flouride
One of the most important ingredients to look for is fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay. It benefits people of all ages, although young children should be supervised so they don’t swallow the toothpaste containing fluoride.
Safety
Avoid toothpastes that don’t clearly list ingredients or aren’t properly labeled. Fluoride toothpastes are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so they must provide specific labeling. Non-fluoride toothpastes are considered cosmetics and are not supervised by the FDA. They still should list ingredients though, so steer clear of any toothpastes that don’t.
ADA approval
The American Dental Association (ADA) conducts testing on a product’s effectiveness and safety. Look for the ADA seal of approval on the toothpaste packaging, which indicates that it has undergone and passed testing.
Special needs
There are toothpastes made for all sorts of needs in mind. For example, some are targeted for users with sensitive teeth. Others are designed to tackle bad breath or to help whiten teeth. Also, some toothpastes are formulated to control dental tartar. Your dentist should be able to help you decide if you need a toothpaste with any of these specific needs in mind, and perhaps make some recommendations.
