Choosing the Right Toothpaste for You

1. Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth Most toothpastes for sensitivity contain 5% potassium nitrate which aid in the blocking of the hot and cold receptors. Overly active receptors send pain signals to the brain, causing the discomfort people have with sensitive teeth. Colgate, Sensodyne, and Crest all provide toothpastes that can help fight against sensitivity.

2. Toothpaste for Gum Health
Toothpastes that have antimicrobial triclosan can help prevent and ward off gum disease. This agent fights the bacteria that get lodged in the gums. Colgate Total and Crest Pro-Health can help combat gum disease.

3. Toothpaste for Yellow Teeth
Arm & Hammer Advance Whitening Toothpaste utilizes baking soda and peroxide to help whiten teeth. The baking soda has been shown to be an effective ingredient in whitening teeth. However, there are a lot of other whitening toothpastes as well that contain hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching ingredient that permeates the core of stains and breaks them down.

4. Toothpaste for Cavities
Fluoride-based toothpastes are excellent in repelling cavities. Fluoride works to restore lost minerals from acids, prevent mineral depletion and decrease bacteria's potential to produce acid. Toothpastes such as Aquafresh, Colgate, and Sensodyne can all help to prevent future cavities.

5. Toothpaste for Tartar and Plaque
Tartar forms when plaque on the teeth hardens. The only real effective way to remove tartar is to visit the dentist and have it scraped. Though, there are toothpastes out there that can help prevent plaque from hardening so that there is overall less tartar. Ingredients such as zinc citrate and pyrophospates are found in toothpastes made for fighting plaque, such as Crest Tartar Protection.

6. Natural Toothpaste
There are natural toothpastes out there, free of sweeteners, chemicals, additives, and detergents. Weleda's Salt Toothpaste incorporates sea salt and baking soda to reduce tartar as well as myrrh extract to encourage good gum health. Tom's of Maine is also a popular option and contains "naturally sourced" fluoride.

7. Toothpaste for Enamel Strength
Acids in foods and drink erode the enamel. People at risk for acid erosion might need to start using an enamel protecting and strengthening toothpaste. Sensodyne's ProNamel and Colgate Total Enamel strength are toothpastes especially designed to prevent the breakdown of the enamel from acids.

For more instruction regarding toothpaste selection and use, check with Dr. Tim Kirby at Classen Family Dentistry in Oklahoma City.