Let’s talk toothpastes. Amazon sells between 300 and 800 different commercial toothpaste types and brands. Walmart offers between 1000 and 3000 options, and Target carries around 300. The long and short of it is, you have an overwhelming number of toothpastes to choose from. How are you supposed to decide which type is best for you, and for your family?
In today’s blog post, you’ll learn about some of the most important ingredients to look for in a commercial toothpaste, and which ingredients you should avoid. At Miracle Dental in Vegas, our dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants are always happy to talk toothpaste with patients. We believe that the more information a patient has to leverage when making oral health decisions, the wiser those choices can be.
If you’re searching for a dentist’s office in Las Vegas, we invite you to call us at (702) 456-0056 or go online to schedule an appointment at our comfortable, welcoming, tech-savvy office. We see patients of all ages and offer a variety of dental services, from general and restorative treatments to cosmetic enhancements and emergency care. Drs. Halan Tran and Ann Pham keep up with the latest proven dental services, treatments, materials, and technology through continuing education each year. We bring what we consider the best of modern dental care to our Las Vegas family of patients, so come visit us soon!
What’s in Commercial Toothpaste?
Most commercial toothpaste brands are ADA-approved and the ADA Seal of Acceptance is on the packaging. The ADA approves toothpastes that are considered safe and effective. These are the four primary ingredients in most commercial toothpastes:
Abrasives: tiny scrubbing particles that remove stains
Detergents: help toothpaste spread well and foam (like soap)
Fluoride: a mineral that boosts enamel strength
Flavoring: mint, berry, orange–an array of flavorings and sweeteners are used
When Commercial Toothpaste Is a Smart Choice
Choosing a toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance should give you some peace of mind that your selection has been deemed safe and effective by a respected authority. However, you may need to use a specific toothpaste type, depending upon your unique concerns.
Desensitizing or Sensitivity Toothpaste: look for potassium nitrate (desensitizes), stannous fluoride (promotes gum health), and low abrasion (abrasives can increase sensitivity)
Cavity Prevention: look for fluoride in the list of ingredients
When to Use Caution
A common detergent in toothpastes is sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS. If you have dry mouth, burning mouth sensations, or mouth sores, SLS can further irritate your mouth, so avoid it. Also, note that if you use a fluoride-free toothpaste, supplemental fluoride treatments are recommended. We can perform a professional fluoride treatment at your dental cleaning.
Parents, please note that children under three years of age should use a fluoride-free toothpaste. Once a child can rinse and spit without swallowing the toothpaste, you can introduce fluoride. Ingesting fluoride day after day while permanent teeth buds are forming within the jaw can lead to permanent, bright white, horizontal stains on teeth, called fluorosis.
The Whitening & Charcoal Toothpaste Craze
Commercial toothpastes that claim whitening benefits or contain charcoal are usually quite abrasive, so they can wear down tooth enamel and cause increased dental sensitivity. Again, choosing a toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance is important, even for specialty varieties like those that whiten or contain charcoal. A safer alternative is to rely on Miracle Dental for effective professional teeth whitening solutions.
What’s Best for You
You have alternatives to commercial toothpaste. All pastes approved by the ADA must contain fluoride, and a few natural brands meet this criterion. “Natural” simply means fewer additives, SLS free, and it may also mean the product is vegan and organic. If you prefer all-natural toothpaste, the ADA endorses Tom’s of Maine Whole Care Natural Toothpaste with Fluoride. This article on the ADA website further explains the criteria for the Seal of Acceptance.
Schedule a Checkup & Cleaning to Talk with Us About Your Toothpaste
We would love to help you navigate the sea of commercial toothpaste options to find the right product for you and your family. Call us today at (702) 456-0056 to reserve your appointment in our Las Vegas family dentistry office, Miracle Dental.
