“Do I Really Need Toothpaste?”

Posted by drgracesun on June 25, 2009 under Healthy Smile, Hygiene | Be the First to Comment

Brushing your teeth is probably the most universally recognized and practiced personal hygiene routine. After every meal (and both before and after sleeping), you should brush your teeth to prevent food particles from breeding harmful bacteria in your oral cavity – however, what is the role of toothpaste?

The basic benefit of a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste on your toothbrush when cleaning your teeth is its ability to lubricate – when combined with a proper brushing technique, toothpaste fortifies your brushing routine to remove plaque (built-up bacteria that grows on your teeth causing cavities, and when left long enough, gum disease).

As you probably know, toothpaste contains fluoride, which when applied to the outer enamel layer of a tooth makes the entire surface structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, tooth strength and rigidity, which aides in preventing cavity formation. Fluoride can even repair early decay before damage can be seen! I have previously written about the possible dangers of fluoride, but if toothpaste is not swallowed (and application is strictly monitored by parents of children), fluoride can be a very helpful addition to toothpaste, making the use of toothpaste when brushing one’s teeth quite beneficial.

Finally, toothpaste does incorporate several special ingredients to provide different side-benefits: triclosan fights against plaque forming microbes, pyrophosphate is a tartar control agent, potassium nitrate is a desensitizer, carbamide peroxide is a bleaching agent, baking soda is a mild abrasives and PH neutralizer and sodium lauryl sulfate is detergent to carry away debris. Ask your dental professional if your dental condition requires special toothpaste in order to receive the maximum benefits of a typical tooth brushing routine. In general, the inactive ingredients in toothpaste like thickeners and water softeners provide the right consistency, moisture, flavor and sweetness for a more pleasurable experience.

If you are getting lip sores, check to see whether the toothpaste you use has lauryl sulfates, which can be irritating to certain tissues. All-natural  herbal toothpastes like Tooth & Gum Paste exist which are in fact antibacterial but contain no artificial chemicals.

So remember, choose your favorite toothpastes and use them! You can even have several different toothpastes and tooth-brushes to make your tooth brushing routine more interesting! A proper brushing (and flossing) technique will keep out the stains, lower the risk of dental diseases, help freshen breath and fight mild halitosis. Be confident with your smile, brush and floss!