Today, human beings have the healthiest and strongest teeth compared to our ancestors of any other period in history. Our dental health, in part, can be credited to all the different types of toothpaste available on the market today. These cleaning agents are designed to cater to all the different oral health needs of individuals, including taste preferences, age, and cosmetics.
Most toothpaste on the market contains fluoride. Fluoridated types are recommended by most dentists and believed to prevent cavities. Cavities in adults and children are caused by acid produced by bacteria, which etches the enamel on the teeth. Fluoride strengthens the teeth and removes the acid.
Fluoridated toothpaste has become controversial, and some people think that it might do more harm than good. Too much fluoride can sometimes cause an appearance of streaks on the teeth, and it is poisonous when repeatedly swallowed. For this reason, there are also products on the market that contain no fluoride.
Training gel is available without fluoride for young children who are just learning to brush. This is intended to eliminate the risk of swallowing fluoride until the child learns to brush properly. This kind of toothpaste has different levels which gradually increase the amount of fluoride. Children’s toothpaste also comes in fun flavors and packaging designed to entice kids to practice good oral hygiene.
Some people appreciate products designed to alleviate pain associated with sensitive teeth. This type of toothpaste is designed for long term, daily use for chronic sensitive teeth. Others are designed to desensitize sensitive teeth. They used short term for four to six weeks to strengthen teeth and diminish pain from dental problems, hot and cold fluids and/or brushing.
Plaque and tartar control toothpaste also promotes oral health. Plaque is a thin film that forms on the teeth. It harbors cavity causing bacteria and also forms tartar. Tartar is a hard deposit on the teeth caused by an excess of proteins deposited by saliva, food and calcium. The ingredients in plaque and tartar control toothpaste remove plaque, prevent new tartar from forming and remove tartar that is already present.
Whitening toothpaste is designed to remove stains from food, coffee, aging and smoking. Long term use of this product gradually whitens teeth with bleaching agents as well as manually removing stains. It was formerly known as smoker’s toothpaste.
Plaque, tartar and stains also affect false teeth, so there is also toothpaste designed for dentures. Although dentures are not subject to cavities, plaque and tartar can cause bad breath, stains and gum disease. Even though someone may have lost their natural teeth, good oral hygiene is very important. This toothpaste is optimized to care for the mouth as well as the dentures.