How to Pick The Best Toothpaste

The best toothpaste for you may be different from the best toothpaste for someone else.

When it comes to picking toothpaste, it can be somewhat overwhelming, because there are so many different toothpastes on the market. Also, for a variety of reasons, the best toothpaste choice for your friend or relative may not be the best toothpaste choice for you. There are a few different variables you will want to take into account when you pick toothpaste. And one thing you will want to do is talk to your dentist about what the best toothpaste might be for you, considering your specific dental needs. Read this article for tips about what you may want to consider when making this decision.

Things You'll Need

• A desire to learn tips to pick the best toothpaste for you, given your specific dental care needs.

Instructions

1. The best toothpaste for a lot of people is one that contains fluoride. Many toothpastes currently on the market do contain fluoride, which helps to prevent you from getting cavities and developing tooth decay. However, some people object to fluoride in their toothpaste, mouthwash, and other dental products, because they question the safety of fluoride. There are some companies, such as Tom's of Maine, that manufacture fluoride-free toothpaste if you are interested in purchasing toothpaste that contains no fluoride.

2. When trying to pick the best toothpaste for you, another common toothpaste ingredient that you may want to investigate further is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is found in the majority of toothpastes currently on the market. If you are concerned about the presence of SLS in toothpaste, you will be pleased to know that there are a few toothpaste manufacturers that manufacture toothpastes that are SLS-free, including a brand called Thera Breath and, once again, Tom's of Maine.

3. When you want to pick the best toothpaste for young children, you will want to buy toothpaste that is specifically designed for toddlers, because there are no dangers associated with swallowing such toothpastes. (It is very difficult for very young children who are just learning how to brush their teeth to spit out their toothpaste, so they tend to swallow it, which means it must be safe.)

4. If you think that natural or organic toothpaste would be the best toothpaste choice for you, you can consider toothpastes that are made with baking soda, such as those manufactured by Arm and Hammer (or, again, Tom's of Maine) or else you can think about toothpastes made with Tea Tree Oil.

5. If you have sensitive teeth, or problems with tooth enamel erosion, or excessive tartar build up, or teeth that could use some whitening, note that there are toothpastes on the market that can help you target any one of these dental problems, and one of these toothpastes might be the best toothpaste for you, given your specific dental situation.

6. When it comes to the question of whether to choose a gel or a paste, this is really a matter of personal preference. It is important that you enjoy the taste and texture of your toothpaste, because this will ensure that you brush for the recommended two minutes or longer each time. (And don't forget to floss afterwards.)

Tips & Warnings

• When you are trying to pick the best toothpaste for you, you may just want to stick with one of the well known brands, such as Crest or Colgate, both of which have received the official approval of the American Dental Association (the ADA). And once again, be sure to talk to your dentist to get his or her specific advice about the best toothpaste for you.