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Are all toothpastes the same?
May 22 2021
When you look at supermarket shelves, they’re stacked full of every toothpaste to satisfy every complaint. There are brands claiming to make teeth whiter, less sensitive, and even stronger. But which ones actually work and is there really any difference? We take a deeper look into the world of toothpaste.
Are the ingredients the same in all kinds of toothpaste?
No, not exactly, however Brushing with fluoride toothpaste remains the best thing you can do to maintain your dental health, according to experts. Studies show that the use of fluoride in toothpaste leads to less tooth decay. The stronger the concentration, the more decay is prevented. Most kinds of toothpastes typically contain these five core ingredients:
- Fluoride: Fluoride helps with tooth decay by making the enamel of your teeth harder and more resistant to acid wear
- Glycerol: This ingredient keeps toothpaste from drying out, gives it a consistent texture and helps it glide smoothly from the tube
- Sorbitol: helps hold the toothpaste together, and it’s also a sweetening agent that does not cause cavities
- Calcium carbonate: This common abrasive helps remove plaque and surface stains
- Sodium lauryl sulfate: This acts as a detergent, creating a bubbly foam
Choosing the right toothpaste
Whilst the core ingredients will remain pretty much the same, there are ingredients in different kinds of toothpaste that back up their claims…
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth
The key difference between regular and sensitive toothpaste is that sensitive toothpaste has additives that help desensitize and protect the sensitive parts of your teeth. A sensitive toothpaste contains more potassium nitrate to restore the enamel by filling it in over time. That way, it will rebuild the protective layer of your teeth so that the dentin is not exposed.
Whitening toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes should work to an extent, but everyone’s teeth and enamel are different. When used twice a day whitening toothpaste can take from two to six weeks to change the colour and appear whiter. This is dependent on the type of toothpaste being used and the strength of the whitening ingredient within the fluoride.
Enamel repair toothpastes
Once lost, tooth enamel can’t be replaced. However, using a remineralising toothpaste can increase the mineral content of existing tooth enamel. Remineralisation helps strengthen the entire tooth. It also repairs weak spots and makes teeth less sensitive to hot and cold.
If you’re worried about your teeth, then book in for a consultation with Newmarket Road Dental Practice today.
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