Choosing a Toothpaste


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Every day we are subjected to seeing dozens of adverts, whether they are on the television, an Internet pop-up or in a magazine. With each advertisement that appears, more and more options are given to us in regards to just one single product. This is no different for toothpaste.

Each new toothpaste advert boasts more advantageous qualities about that brand than any others. Maybe this toothpaste could be the solution to getting whiter teeth, eliminating tooth decay once and for all or maybe giving you fresh breath all day long. But who is to say that the toothpaste actually lives up to its claims? That is why it is key that you, as the consumer, understand exactly what you are purchasing and not just buying into a fancy marketing scheme.


Choosing toothpaste is certainly a matter of an individual’s inclination. You may prefer the taste of one or the clean feeling left after using another. Maybe you are looking for a bargain toothpaste and tend to head straight to the one that is on offer. Whatever you’re reasoning, it is still important to stick to a good dental hygiene plan with your chosen product. But is there something that you should really look for when choosing your new toothpaste?

What should you look for in good toothpaste?

If your chosen toothpaste contains fluoride, then is should work well performing the necessary cleaning and protecting functions. It is also recommended that you pick toothpaste that contains as few abrasives as possible, as if these are in too high a quantity, they may remove enamel and make your teeth more sensitive and vulnerable to further damage.

Some toothpaste contains peroxide or baking soda, and these are often advertised as being beneficial. However, most dentists are in agreement that these ingredients have little benefit in terms of actually cleaning your teeth, although, they do give many people a cleaner mouth sensation. This sometimes encourages you to brush your teeth more as it feels like it is working better than other toothpaste brands, in which case, it may be worth sticking to toothpaste containing peroxide or baking soda.

The general requirements to a good toothpaste are those laid out above, however, there are certain situations in which some people require a more specific type of toothpaste. This may be if you have:

  • Mouth sores (canker sores)
  • Teeth you wish to whiten
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Gum disease

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