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 remineralization, 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 flavor. All fluoride dentifrices work effectively to fight
plaque and cavities and clean and polish tooth enamel. Your dentifrice brand
should also bear the ADA (American Dental Association) 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 and/or
hydrogen peroxide (which are both good cleansing agents) 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 buildup 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
gumline is just as important. Studies show that plaque will regrow on teeth
that are completely clean within 3 to 4 hours of brushing.
