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.
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