Fluoride toothpaste: The most relevant ingredient to look out for when selecting toothpaste is fluoride.
The use of Fluoride in toothpaste, as well as our city drinking water, has been implicated in the dramatic reduction in tooth decay and cavity occurrence which has taken place over the past decades, making it among the most profound public health achievements in the United States. Bacteria in your mouth feed on refined sugars and carbohydrates that remain on your teeth after eating.
Fluoride, however, helps protect your teeth from the acid that is released when this happens.
It does this in two ways.
First, fluoride makes tooth enamel stronger and less susceptible to acid damage.
Second, it can stop and possibly reverse the beginning phases of dental caries by remineralizing regions that have started in the decaying process
Don’t think you can ignore fluoride if you live in an area where the water is fluoridated. We have shown that the use of fluoride toothpaste helps to increase the concentration of fluoride in the teeth, even in areas with water reserves containing high levels of the mineral.
When is the best time to start brushing your kid’s teeth with fluoride-containing toothpastes?
We recommend using fluoride-containing toothpaste as soon as they have their first teeth
How much should I use for my child?
It depends on whether or not they like to swallow their toothpaste during brushing. If they do swallow it all, then a smear layer or rice size is recommended. You could also wipe with a clean cloth immediately after brushing.
Once they are able to rinse out properly, you should increase the amount to pea-size.
Tips for Choosing a Toothpaste
Different brands add synthetic compounds like strontium chloride or potassium nitrate to increase effectiveness.
Think about your necessities and the requirements of your family. The best toothpaste involves individual decisions and inclinations.
Assuming you are focused on the day’s regular way of life, you might need to decide on ADA-supported toothpaste that contains just normal fixings. For people looking to instill good oral hygiene habits in their children, why not choose fruit toothpaste with sparkles to encourage them to brush their teeth?
Some people are eager to restore the whiteness of their teeth with whitening toothpaste.
Others like the feeling of brushing their teeth with toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide or baking soda. Go for ADA approval. Whatever your toothpaste needs, make certain to pick a toothpaste that has acquired a US seal of approval.
All toothpaste that has earned this distinction by the American Dental Association (ADA seal of approval) have been assessed for their safety and efficacy by an independent review panel made up of scientific experts.
You should also know that most toothpaste that carries the ADA seal contains fluoride.
Can you have too much fluoride?
Of course, you can. What we know is that excessive levels of fluoride in the public water supply can lead to dental fluorosis and even skeletal fluorosis (characterized by weakened bones). In North America however, such situations are extremely rare and mainly related to a setback in the management of the municipal water system. For well water users, it’s important to have your water tested to know the mineral contents of your water supply.
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