Toothpaste Choices Complicated?

How Toothpaste is Specialized

Many years ago, the biggest benefits of using toothpaste were that it tasted good and provided some detergent action to help clean your teeth.  Not any more!  Nowadays, toothpastes are much more complicated as science has created additives to address specific dental needs.

Toothpaste Additives and their Abilities 

• whitening:  additions to toothpaste, such as peroxide, baking soda, or other solutions, to whiten teeth through brushing, maintain a white smile after tooth bleaching procedures, or removing stains.
• sensitivity:  formulas that are less abrasive in their cleaning power, or contain chemicals like potassium nitrate that can penetrate tooth structure to reduce tooth sensitivity.
• remineralizing:  as part of "minimally invasive" dentistry,  these re-harden tooth surfaces as a treatment for beginning decay.  These substances are fluoride (common to most toothpastes), xylitol as a stimulant for calcium phosphate, or casein phosphopeptides.
• fluoride:  added to prevent tooth decay and enhance remineralization, often with added calcium.
• children's:  lower fluoride levels so they may be swallowed, and less abrasive and free of artificial colors or dyes.

Sometimes toothpastes claim to help freshen breath, although the process of brushing in and of itself makes your mouth cleaner and breath more appealing.

Natural toothpastes, like Tom's of Maine, are chemical free and made of only "natural" ingredients.
There is a toothpaste available for your individual needs!


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309