How to choose the right toothpaste? Recommendations of an orthopedic dentist

What should be in the composition?

The composition of therapeutic and preventive toothpaste always contains active, abrasive and binding components, foaming and moisturizers.

Fluoride. An important substance that restores the structure of enamel, strengthens it and prevents the development of caries.

Orthopedic dentist, surgeon, implantologist

“Fluoride content should be age appropriate: children under six years old are recommended pastes with a concentration of 1000 ppm, over six years old and adults – 1450 ppm. Fluoride in the composition of the paste is found in the form of various compounds: sodium fluoride, aminofluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate. Some products have two salts of fluoride at once, which enhance the effect of each other.”

Calcium. The main element of the bone system. This mineral strengthens teeth and protects them from decay. You can find several calcium compounds in toothpastes. These include calcium glycerophosphate, amorphous calcium phosphate, and calcium lactate. The much-talked-about hydroxyapatite is also a form of calcium that is used as an alternative to fluorides.

Hydroxyapatite is a modern and effective enamel repair and renewal agent that fills microcracks and prevents cavities from forming. Another beneficial property of hydroxyapatite is its ability to reduce sensitivity.

Xylitol. One of the most effective plant components for protection against tooth decay. It actively fights bacteria, restores enamel and increases its strength, moisturizes the oral cavity.

Pyrophosphates. Prevents the appearance of plaque and tartar, slow the growth of pathogenic bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad odor.

Zinc Citrate. Antiseptic, blocks the growth of bacteria and the hardening of minerals that form tartar.

Peroxides. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are powerful and effective enamel whitening agents. They do not damage enamel.

Papain, bromelain. Natural enzymes that brighten enamel by breaking down pigmented plaque. Gives a more delicate and not as strong whitening effect as peroxides.

Chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride. Powerful antiseptics that disinfect, promote healing of mucosal wounds, kill pathogenic bacteria. Unlike natural extracts, they are suitable for use only in courses, as they can harm the beneficial microflora of the oral cavity.

Natural extracts (oak bark, sage, chamomile). Natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic components that can be used daily. This is an effective complementary therapy for minor bleeding and inflammation of the gums.

What components should be treated with caution?

SLS/SLES. Thanks to these substances, the paste foams – the more of them, the more lush the foam. Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate can cause dryness and allergies in people with hypersensitivity to these components. In this case, you can use a hygiene product with a mild foaming agent – sodium cocosulfate.

Triclosan and triclohard. Strong antibiotics that negatively affect the immunity and microflora of the oral cavity, kill, including useful bacteria. However, they are used for some oral diseases – in courses and on the recommendation of the doctor.

Choosing toothpaste by problem

When choosing a toothpaste, proceed from the current situation with your teeth or the problem that bothers you. If you need to solve several problems at once (for example, to lighten and strengthen enamel), combine the means: use whitening toothpaste in the morning and enamel-repairing toothpaste in the evening. This way, you can whiten your teeth without increasing sensitivity.

Plaque

Daily brushing removes plaque, which is why it’s so important to use a brush and toothpaste twice a day. Lack of regular hygiene leads to tartar buildup, which will require a visit to the dentist to remove.

For a paste to effectively remove plaque, it must be sufficiently abrasive. For daily use, pastes up to 250 RDA (abrasiveness index) are suitable for increased plaque formation. But if you have sensitive teeth, low to medium abrasive toothpastes are suitable.

To reduce the formation of plaque and prevent its reattachment to the enamel, pastes, in addition to abrasives, add additional components. These are pyrophosphates and zinc citrate.

Unpleasant odor

Bad breath (or halitosis) becomes a cause of insecurity for many. In the morning, it is the norm. If it does not go away during the day, it may indicate the presence of some pathology.

The cause of halitosis is the formation of volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth, which are released by bacteria. It occurs due to poor hygiene, tooth decay, inflammation of the gums, smoking. Much less often the symptom can be associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GI), respiratory and kidney organs, diabetes mellitus, taking medications. First, eliminate local causes, improve hygiene. If there is no effect, see a doctor to look for general health problems.

Choose an antibacterial paste: with chlorhexidine or plant extracts that inhibit the activity of bacteria and increased formation of plaque, thereby reducing bad breath. In some pastes for halitosis, zinc lactate is added. This component binds volatile sulfur compounds, one of the causes of bad odor.

Sensitive enamel

For sensitive teeth, choose pastes with fluoride, hydroxyapatite and calcium, which fill microcracks in the enamel and thus reduce its sensitivity. Components such as potassium phosphate and potassium nitrate have a good effect. They block the transmission of pain signals from the tooth to the brain, reducing the reaction to cold and hot, sweet and sour. Strontium chloride is also effective, which clogs the dentinal tubules and solves the problem of hypersensitivity.

The problem of enamel sensitivity requires careful and gentle brushing – any strong impact can cause pain and make it worse. If your teeth react to hot, cold, sour and sweet, low-abrasive pastes with an RDA of 30-50 will work for you.

Bleeding gums

Irregular and poor oral hygiene is one of the main causes of inflamed and bleeding gums.

Choose pastes with plant extracts (oak bark, sage, chamomile), allantoin, essential oils (menthol, thymol). In a pair to the paste, choose a brush with soft bristles. And do not forget to change it every three months. Supplement your care with a rinse for sensitive gums.

For gum diseases and after surgery use pastes with more powerful antiseptics: chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride. They protect the gums from inflammation and reduce bacterial growth. However, these antiseptics should be used in courses of no more than two to three weeks, as they affect not only pathogens, but also the beneficial microflora.

Color change

The causes of darkening enamel can be very different – poor brushing, smoking, frequent consumption of coffee and tea.

A whitening toothpaste will work for darkened teeth. If you want to restore natural whiteness or prolong the effect of professional whitening, choose pastes with plant enzymes: papain and bromelain.

Plaque from coloring products should be removed with abrasive pastes, and to lighten the dentin under the enamel – with carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. If the hygiene product contains various strengthening and restorative substances, you will get not only a whitening effect, but also comprehensive care.

Caries prevention

Caries is the most common disease in the world. It is a pathological process of destruction of the hard tissues of the tooth.

It starts with a white spot and ends with pulpitis and various septic processes with inevitable tooth loss. The main cause of tooth decay is bacteria produced by acids. They leach fluoride and calcium from the tooth tissue, weakening it. Accelerates the development of carious bacteria frequent consumption of sweets: carbohydrates – a favorite environment for their reproduction.

The most important stage in the effective fight against tooth decay is early diagnosis of the problem and, of course, prevention. Remove plaque at least once every 12 hours. Use pastes that contain sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluoride, aminofluorides, calcium glycerophosphate, xylitol. They strengthen enamel, fill microcracks and can even cure tooth decay at the white spot stage.

Supplement your care with flossing and interdental brushes to clean the spaces between teeth – the areas where brushing fails and where decay is most likely to begin.