Shopping in today’s modern world means having the ability to choose from tons of different brands for one single type of product. Sometimes, however, the amount of choices on the shelves can leave you scratching your head trying to decide what you actually want or need. This is no exception when it comes to purchasing dental products at the store. Looking at toothpaste alone there are ones for teeth whitening, enamel sensitivity, tartar control, and more. So is there really a difference when it comes to all these options?

Be Wary of Whitening

Many people turn to whitening toothpaste as a quick fix for getting a brighter smile, but what they don’t know is that a lot of these don’t actually have any bleaching agents in them. Instead, they’re advertising that you’ll get whiter teeth simply as a result of stain removal. On top of that, they can sometimes contain abrasive additives that may lead to tooth sensitivity. If you’re really interested in brightening your smile, you should consider leaving the teeth whitening to the professionals.

The Truth About Cavity Protection

You may come across some toothpaste that’s marketed as “cavity protection” or “anti-cavity.” First off, technically every type of toothpaste works as a cavity protection if you’re using it correctly. What you really should be looking for is whether it has fluoride in it, which is a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent tooth decay.

Managing Sensitivity

It’s not all just marketing spin when it comes to toothpastes. Desensitizing toothpastes are actually specifically designed to help those with sensitive teeth. They work by having special ingredients that block the tubules in dentin (the layer of your tooth underneath the outer enamel) so they don’t result in discomfort when exposed to temperature or pressure.

Look for the ADA Seal

If you haven’t spoken to your dentist about what toothpaste you should be using, a safe bet is to look for products that have the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. Having this seal means it’s passed testing to be ensured as an effective product.

Still need some help deciding on the right toothpaste for you? Contact Wildflower Dental & Orthodontics. Our team would be happy to give you our recommendations! When you’re ready to come in for your semiannual teeth cleaning, our office would love to help you out with that, too.