Brushing, flossing and dental visits are all necessary for keeping your mouth healthy. One thing that can help is your toothpaste! Picking the right toothpaste can mean the difference between a healthy mouth and needing a few fillings. Here are a few tips on picking the right toothpaste!

Flouride

There have been many studies done that show flouride, in small amounts, is beneficial to our bodies. Next time you pick up a box of toothpaste, make sure it has flouride in it. The American Dental Association (ADA) and most dentists consider fluoride to be an essential ingredient. Natural toothpastes commonly do not have flouride, so you may need to pay closer attention to your mouth.

Reading the Label

The ingredients of toothpaste might as well be a foreign language. There are so many compounds and scientific names on there, it's hard to distinguish what's what. There are a few that you should look out for and make a note of if you are avoiding those particular ingredients.

saccharin - to make the toothpaste sweeter
calcium carbonate and silicates - abrasive ingredients
glycerol - gives it a gel-like consistency
sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) - causes toothpaste to foam

Special Needs

There is a toothpaste out there for any type of special need. If you have sensitivity to hot and cold foods or liquids, there is desensitizing toothpaste to help.

Avoid Sugar

Sugary toothpastes are common for children, as it aims to be more palatable and encourage brushing. As we get older, sugar takes a toll on our teeth by causing cavities and tooth decay!

Ask Your Dentist

If anyone knows your mouth and can recommend a toothpaste, it's your dentist! They have the inside track on which areas in your mouth need help and which toothpastes can help you keep tooth decay at bay.