Choosing The Right Toothpaste For You!

We know that the toothpaste aisle at your local grocery store can be confusing and overwhelming! There are so many different varieties, including pastes, gels, flavors, whiteners, cavity-fighters, etc! It can be difficult to decipher what promises are true and what toothpaste is best for you and your family.

Below is a short guide to make these choices a little clearer for our patients:

• Whitening – It’s important to note that while whitening toothpastes will remove stains from the surface of your teeth, they will not actually be able to bleach your natural tooth color. No toothpaste has ever been proven to change the color of your teeth.

• Fluoride – Fluoride is an important part of achieving and maintaining healthy teeth! Fluoride will strengthen enamel and help fight cavities more than anything else. Even for kids! Make sure your children’s toothpastes include fluoride, but don’t give them more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to brush with, as kids have a propensity for swallowing toothpaste.

• Sensitive Teeth – These toothpastes have been proven to help ease the symptoms of mild to moderate sensitivity. While you won’t notice a difference overnight, with continued use you can help to alleviate your teeth sensitivity. However, if a cavity or gum disease is causing your tooth sensitivity, this toothpaste will do nothing to help the pain. At this point, you’ll want to make an appointment with Dr. Kate Wilson to find the real source of the pain.

For more information on keeping your teeth and mouth healthy and beautiful, please contact Coastal Periodontics, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire!