With all the brand-name toothpastes claiming superiority over their competitors, knowing which toothpaste works better than the next becomes an impossible task for the consumer.  What will help the oral health conscience decide which toothpaste works better, at least for the individual, is an understanding of the ingredients in toothpaste, and how these ingredients work on specific needs. 

Fluoride is the cavity-fighter ingredient found in toothpaste and the one we’re most familiar with. Fluoride is a mineral found in the earth, plants and water.  In toothpaste, it works in conjunction with saliva to preserve the teeth’s enamel, the layer on the outside of teeth that keeps plaque from getting into the teeth.  Many whitening toothpastes don’t contain fluoride. 

Most, if not all, toothpastes contain an abrasive agent, which are used to remove plaque from teeth. Abrasives used in toothpastes include calcium, alumina, silica and baking soda.  Those who begin to experience sensitivity in their teeth should look at the abrasive in their current toothpaste, and experiment with one that has a different abrasive agent.

Many toothpastes also claim to have tartar fighting abilities, of which the active ingredient is most often pyrophosphate.  This ingredient works to deter calcium from forming on teeth, and therefore reduces tartar, which is simply a build up of plaque.  While this ingredient does prevent tartar build up, it cannot remove existing tartar.  This can only be done by a dentist. Some have found that tartar-fighting toothpastes, with the active ingredient sodium pyrophosphate, has led to increased sensitivity. 

It’s generally accepted that any fluoride toothpaste will provide the oral hygiene and cavity protection that most of us need. But as individuals and consumer groups alike have discovered in toothpaste comparisons, it’s the little differences between the top brands that can make a big difference to the individual.

In several toothpaste comparisons made by dentists, a high percentage of them recommend Colgate Total.  One of the reasons is the fact that it was one of the first toothpastes to include the antibacterial ingredient triclosan, which has proven effective in fighting gingivitis (gum disease).  While this is a plus for most adults and has put Colgate Total on top of most toothpaste comparisons, it should be noted that it’s not recommended for children, as the anti-bacterial agent could prove harmful.

Crest MultiCare is another product that has fared well in toothpaste comparisons.  This toothpaste is promoted as being an all-in-one product, taking care of all our daily oral hygiene needs including tartar control.  But Crest MultiCare also has a special foaming ingredient that helps get the toothpaste into those hard-to-reach places like between the teeth.  The taste of this Crest product has also been noted as a plus in many toothpaste comparisons.

Another product that is consistently at the top of toothpaste comparison, but might not be familiar to some, is Tom’s of Maine.  This all-natural product is made with naturally sourced fluoride and natural flavors.  While this is a big selling point for those conscious of trying to reduce the amount of chemicals in their lives, Tom’s has also proven to fight cavities and is approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).  Tom’s has also been singled out for its good taste, likely the result of its natural flavors.   

Are Toothpaste Allergies Responsible for what Ails You?

Everyday, millions of Americans wake up and brush their teeth with little thought about their choice of toothpaste.  Recent studies, however, suggest that toothpaste allergies may account for at least two medical conditions with few explanations:  canker sores and perioral dermatitis – redness around the mouth. And, research into toothpaste allergies is only in its infancy.

Canker sores, or aphthous stomatitis as it’s known in the field, are those common sores or bumps that many of us get in our mouths from time to time.  While canker sores may be common, there is little known about their origins or how they’re developed, which led researchers to consider the possibility that a toothpaste allergy, particularly an allergy to fluoride, could be the cause of canker sores. After all, toothpaste was a common product used by all sufferers.  

But this research was also built on previous research in the dermatological profession that looked at toothpaste allergies as a primary cause of perioral dermatitis.  Perioral dermatitis is characterized by a redness, swelling, mild peeling, and bumps that resemble acne, around the mouth. Like canker sores, there is little known about its origins. 
However, perioral dermatitis was first found in medical journals in the 1950′s, around the same time that fluoride was introduced to toothpaste.  With this in mind, some dermatologists recommended that their patients discontinue the use of fluoride toothpastes.  The result was a dramatic reduction in the visual signs and symptoms.  In fact, many dermatologists are beginning to see toothpaste allergies as an increasing problem, and are recommending that their patients stop the use of fluoride toothpaste as a preventative measure.     

If you want to try something new and different to your hygiene, try making everything homemade! Your face wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and whatever else you can think of. You can add eggs and mayonnaise to your hair to make it shiny and smooth, or try chopped up cucumbers with grain and a little bit of hydrogen peroxide for your face wash. If you want to try homemade toothpaste, you will find that it is usually based off of baking soda, a simple product that you can purchase in a store for extremely cheap (either that or you already have some baking soda).

There are different ways that you can make homemade toothpaste. Usually and typically the recipe just simply calls for a drop of water mixed in with your baking soda. If you want to make your homemade toothpaste a tad bit more complex, yet a little more beneficial, add a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide, a little bit of salt and of coarse just dab in that little amount of water. I would personally recommend store bought tooth paste because it has more complex ingredients and work better, but this is a wonderful alternative if you are living an organic lifestyle or are just trying to make a change in the way you perform your hygiene.

Crest Was First

Crest Toothpaste Company has been around for over 50 years.  Crest was the first toothpaste company to come with a product that was therapeutic as well as cosmetic.

In the 1950’s Crest Toothpaste Company gained a little in the market share area.  By 1960 the company began taking over the market and was the leader for thirty years.

Procter and Gamble which owns the Crest Toothpaste Company began to spend a significant amount of money to make Crest more than a cosmetic product.  Procter and Gamble wanted Crest toothpaste to be therapeutic as well.

When the American Dental Association gave Crest its seal of approval, Crest became even more popular.  Crest became a dream-come-true because until that time there were no toothpastes that offered so much dental protection.

The Crest Toothpaste Company saw a huge growth because it was able to show a reasonable amount of effectiveness in preventing tooth decay.  This was something that had not been done before.  When Crest was able to prove that its claims of therapeutic value were true, it became the new market leader. 

Crest also received a real boost because it was the only toothpaste that existed in “category A”, which meant that it received the ADA endorsement.  No other toothpaste during this time was able to display the ADA seal of approval on their toothpaste packaging.  This was in 1964 and it was not until 1969 that any other toothpaste was able to use the ADA seal of approval on their product.

It took several years for other toothpastes companies to catch up with Crest.  The Crest Toothpaste Company enjoyed many years of excellent toothpaste sales and recognition.

To choose the best toothpaste you need to compare toothpaste brands.  Which ones do you like and do some actually work better than others?

In this article we will compare toothpaste brands and hopefully this information will help you to make the toothpaste decision that is right for you.

From the research that has been published it seems that any toothpaste that contains fluoride and has the seal of approval from the American Dental Association would be a good choice.  What do the experts recommend?  As we compare toothpaste brands we will discover a few things about different brands.

Colgate Total is the top choice among experts who recommend this toothpaste more than any other.  This toothpaste is popular because it is reasonably priced and contains an antibacterial ingredient. 

Another popular toothpaste is Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide.  Many consumers like the taste and texture although some find the combination of baking soda and peroxide less than pleasant.  There are dentists that are not too crazy about continued use of baking soda in toothpaste because it can lead to gum damage. This is an issue to consider when you are comparing toothpaste brands.

Some folks still prefer Crest and will use it until they don’t have teeth to brush.  Crest may not be as popular as some of the Colgate varieties but many people are sticking with it.  Crest comes in many formulas and is very affordable.  It also contains fluoride and has the ADA seal of approval.

There are other brands of toothpaste you can compare like Rembrandt and Sensodyne.  It depends on what your needs are also.  If you have sensitive teeth or want a toothpaste to whiten your teeth, you may need to compare brands that offer those special formulas.

Considering the Origins of Toothpaste

Most of us have grown up brushing our teeth twice a day using a dentist-recommended toothpaste.  Who invented toothpaste never really enters the equation.  Like many of the household items we take for granted, there wasn’t a single person who invented toothpaste.  Rather, toothpaste has a long history that developed over centuries through trial and error and increased knowledge into the form that we know today. 

Evidence suggests that the Chinese developed one of the earliest forms of toothpaste around 500 BC.  But there is little knowledge of its contents.  Ancient Egyptians and Persians, however, had a recipe for toothpaste that had as its main ingredients water, pumice, burnt eggshells and mashed oxen hooves.    

In the 18th century, toothpaste was sold in the form of a powder, called tooth powder or dentifrice, which was mixed at home with water to form a paste.  But this powder, containing such ingredients as brick dust and earthenware, was found to be too abrasive and caused more damage than benefits to teeth.   

It wasn’t until the early 1800′s in America that modern toothpaste began to take its form, with a dentist named Peabody adding soap to the toothpaste to achieve the foaming effect that we’re all familiar with. And in the mid 1850′s, John Harris thought adding chalk was the miracle ingredient.  Near the end of the century, Colgate became the first company to mass produce toothpaste. 

If there were a candidate for being the one who invented toothpaste, at least in the form as we know it today, it would be Dr. Washington Sheffield.  In 1892, he began selling his toothpaste in a tube.  Recognizing the public appeal of a tube over jar, Colgate soon followed selling its own product in a tube.  The rest, as they say, is history.    

Do you sometimes experience pain or discomfort in your teeth or gums while drinking or eating something that is quite hot or cold? Sensodyne toothpaste works to relieve painful sensitivity of the teeth. When used daily, it gradually blocks the pain of hyper-sensitivity.

Sensodyne toothpaste contains Potassium nitrate. This active ingredient desensitizes the nerve of the tooth, preventing it from being hyper-sensitive, and easily stimulated. Sensodyne toothpastes also contain fluoride, which helps to strengthen teeth, and to fight the formation of cavities.

Sensodyne can help dental patients that plan to undergo chemical bleaching of the teeth. By using Sensodyne toothpaste two weeks before and during at-home whitening treatment that is supervised by a dental professional, patients can decrease the level of hyper-sensitivity felt during the bleaching process.

Sensodyne toothpastes are available in eight varieties:

Original Flavor – The first Sensodyne toothpaste, released in 1961, and still sold today.

Full Protection – The newest Sensodyne toothpaste, works to prevent plaque, tartar build up, and cavities. Also keeps gums healthy.

Fresh Mint – The most popular Sensodyne toothpaste, has a mild mint flavor.

Cool Gel – A smooth blue gel.

Baking Soda – Includes the abrasive, tooth-scrubbing quality of baking soda.

Extra Whitening – Uses whitening agents to remove stains from the teeth.

Tartar Control plus Whitening – Uses whitening agents to remove stains, also works against the build up of tartar on the teeth.

Fresh Impact – A mint flavored gel/paste combination that works to freshen breath.

Sensodyne toothpaste is available over the counter, in most places where dental care products are sold.

There are so many toothpastes on the market, how do I know which one is best for me?  This is a question asked by toothpaste consumers all the time.  The best toothpastes for you may have to do with your specific dental needs.

On one hand, the experts tell us that any toothpaste will work as long as it has fluoride and has been approved by the American Dental Association.  On the other hand there are studies that have been done that definitely recommend Colgate products.

The best toothpastes for you or your family may be the ones that you personally like as long as they follow the criteria above.  If the toothpaste you like contains fluoride and has the ADA seal of approval you are good to go.

Colgate Total is a good choice among experts because it has antibacterial properties.  It is not recommended for children under the age of six.

Another favorite is Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide which won over thirty-eight other toothpastes in a cleaning test.  This toothpaste has been approved for children older than two years.

One of the best toothpastes for those with sensitive teeth is Sensodyne.  This toothpaste is a favorite of people who suffer from sensitive teeth.  Sensodyne is more expensive than other toothpastes but it contains potassium nitrate.  The potassium nitrate actually helps reduce tooth sensitivity if used on a regular basis.

Choosing the best toothpastes for you or your family won’t be difficult if you remember to look for toothpastes that contain fluoride and have the ADA seal of approval.

Aquafresh toothpaste is a fresh way to go.  Not only does Aquafresh toothpaste taste fresh and leave a fresh sensation in your mouth but there are always new, fresh, products.

Aquafresh Extreme Clean Fluoride Toothpaste with Triple Protection is a new product that has dynamic foaming action plus it contains a whitening agent.  As soon as you begin to brush, the famous Aquafresh stripe transforms into an active foam.  This foam releases thousands of bubbles that kill germs on contact.  The bubbles cover your teeth and gums and leave your breath super fresh!

The foaming action is so complete that it goes all the way to the back of your tongue and that helps fight bad breath.

This Aquafresh Extreme Clean leaves your teeth really clean and your mouth will feel very energized with a cool and icy feeling that will last long after you put the cap back on the tube.

Your teeth will be gently whitened as you use this new toothpaste.

Another new product from Aquafresh is Aquafresh Extreme Clean Empowermint Toothpaste with Triple Protection.  This toothpaste helps to prevent dental cavities and it too, works to eliminate bad breath.  Like the Aquafresh described above it leaves your mouth feeling sparkling and clean due to the Micro-Active Foam.  It will brighten your teeth rather than whiten them.

Aquafresh also has a fresh idea when it comes to flossing.  It’s the Aquafresh Floss ‘N’ Cap Toothpaste.  The floss is built right into the cap of the toothpaste tube.  How convenient!  You can remove the floss dispenser from the toothpaste cap if you want to take the floss with you.

Just three more fresh ideas from Aquafresh!