Why is brushing with toothpaste important?
Brushing with toothpaste (also called a "dentifrice") is important
for several reasons. First and foremost, a toothpaste and a correct
brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful film of
bacteria that grows on your teeth that causes caries, gum disease, and
eventual tooth loss if not controlled. Second, the toothpaste contains
fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to
decay and promotes remineralisation, which aids in repairing early
decay before the damage can even be seen. Third, special ingredients
in the dentifrice help to clean and polish the teeth and remove stains
over time. Fourth, toothpastes help freshen breath and leave your
mouth with a clean feeling.
What type of toothpaste should I use?
As long as your toothpaste contains fluoride, the brand you buy
really does not matter, whether or not it is in paste, gel, or even
powder form, or containing a certain flavour. All fluoride dentifrices
work effectively to fight plaque and cavities and clean and polish
tooth enamel. Your dentifrice brand should also bear a seal of
approval on the container, which means that adequate evidence of
safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in controlled, clinical
trials.
If your teeth are hypersensitive to hot or cold, consider trying a
toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Dentifrices containing baking
soda give the teeth and mouth a clean, fresh, pleasant feeling that
can offer an incentive to brush more, but fluoride is the true active
ingredient at work protecting your teeth. Some prefer a tartar control
toothpaste containing pyrophosphates to prevent the build-up of soft
calculus deposits on their teeth. New pastes offer advanced whitening
formulas aimed at safely removing stains to make teeth brighter and
shinier, although they can't nearly match the effectiveness of a
professional bleaching formula administered or prescribed by a
dentist.
How much should I use?
Contrary to what toothpaste commercials show, the amount of paste
or gel needed on your brush for effective cleaning does not have to be
a heaping amount. Simply squeeze on a pea-sized dab of paste on the
top half of your brush. If you brush correctly, holding the toothbrush
at a 45-degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth,
the paste should foam enough to cover all of your teeth. Children
under six, however, should be given a very small, baby pea-sized dab
of dentifrice on their brush.
Is brushing with toothpaste enough to fight cavities and gum
disease?
No. Although brushing thoroughly after each meal helps, flossing
your teeth every day to remove plaque and food particles between teeth
and at the gum line is just as important. Studies show that plaque
will regrow on teeth that are completely clean within 3 to 4 hours of
brushing.
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