How to choose
the perfect toothpaste

Treatments, Trends and Cosmetic Dentists

Back in the old days, toothpastes were just lowly commodities that only few take notice of. But as people get more and more conscious of their health and appearance, toothpastes have suddenly become a staple good in every household. This once lowly commodity was suddenly included in people's quest for a smile makeover.

Today, toothpastes come in variety of flavors and formulation that claim to whiten teeth, prevent gum disease, and get rid of bad breath. With many choices and different formulations, the task of picking toothpaste has become a highly personal matter to many.

But what’s really in toothpaste that made it a common household and smile makeover product?

Different brands of toothpastes actually have different compositions. But in general, all of them claim to whiten and strengthen the teeth. Here are some of the common ingredients found in most toothpaste:

Fluoride – this ingredient makes the teeth stronger and resistant to decay.
Flavoring chemicals, which gives the sweet or minty flavors to toothpastes without causing tooth decay.
Detergents – this is what makes the foamy appearance in the toothpaste.
Mild abrasives – this can include calcium carbonate, phosphate salts, and magnesium carbonate

To pick the right toothpaste for you, the first thing you should consider is whether it is safe to use and achieves what it claims to do. Make sure to carefully scrutinize the label. The ingredients should be clearly stated. Toothpastes with fluoride must have the standard "drug facts" panel in the package as it is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If there is no FDA label, don't patronize the toothpaste.

If you still want to make sure you are getting the right toothpaste, look for toothpastes with the ADA seal. This seal means that the product went through voluntary testing through ADA to measure safety and effectiveness of the product.

With the hundreds of toothpastes in the market today, there's no doubt there will be one perfect for your smile makeover. If you have sensitive teeth or special needs, it's best to talk to your dentist. He will recommend to you the toothpaste that will best address your teeth's special needs.