What You Might Not Know about Toothpaste

Although most people refer to teeth cleaning products as paste, toothpaste can also be a powder or gel that you use to clean your teeth. Brushing your teeth twice each day, along with flossing and seeing your dentist regularly, helps improve your overall oral health and get rid of food particles, bacteria, and plaque.

The American Dental Association explains that toothpaste plays an important role in oral health as it helps to fight tooth decay and gum disease. These days most toothpastes, powders and gels contain fluoride, which helps keep the enamel on your teeth healthy while fighting tooth decay.

Although the composition in toothpastes may vary, with some touting the benefits of gum inflammation reduction and tooth whitening, your dentist explains that all toothpastes contain the same ingredients.

Whatever brand of toothpaste you use, it will contain gentle abrasives including hydrated aluminum oxide, magnesium carbonate, phosphate salts, and dehydrated silica gels.

Known as, “Humectants, sorbitol and glycerol are added to the toothpaste to keep it from drying out.  

Natural gum, synthetic cellulose, mineral colloids, or seaweed is used to thicken toothpaste giving it a homogenous texture and appearance.

According to your dentist, fluoride is added to the toothpaste to make your teeth more resistant to dental carries and helps strengthen the enamel on your teeth.

Flavoring is often added to toothpaste. These flavorings, such as saccharin will not promote tooth decay.

Sodium lauryl sarcosinate is a detergent additive that is used by manufacturers to make toothpaste foamy.

Your dentist explains that one of the toughest decisions when it comes to buying toothpaste is deciding what one is the best for you. With so many brands to choose from you almost need to have a degree in toothpaste to make a selection.

Buying fluoride toothpaste is imperative with fluoride toothpastes, gels, and powders regulated by the FDA or Food and Drug Administration. All of these products will have a drug facts panel somewhere on the packaging.

Look for toothpastes, gels, and powders that carry the American Dental Association seal of approval. You can find a complete list of toothpastes that are ADA approved on the American Dental Association website.

If your teeth are sensitive, look for toothpaste that contains strontium chloride of potassium nitrate.

In order to fight the buildup of tartar or gingivitis, your dentist recommends toothpastes with ingredients such as tirclosan, pyrophosphates, or zinc citate.

If you are still unsure what toothpaste, gel or powder is best for your needs, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Boost your Confidence with Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers can improve your smile and boost your self-confidence, in fact, a healthy grin is good for your self-esteem.

According to the American Dental Association, Veneers are thin shells that are custom made to fit over your own teeth. Directly bonded to your natural tooth they can improve the appearance of your smile and can actually change the length, size, shape, and color of your teeth giving you a perfectly proportioned smile.

Dental Veneers are made from resin composite or porcelain materials. Porcelain Veneers are more resistant to staining and mimic the natural reflecting properties of your own teeth. Resin Veneers are thinner and require less removal of your natural tooth. Your dentist will be able to decide what type is best for your situation.

Porcelain and Resin Veneers can fix teeth that have been discolored because of medications such as tetracycline. Veneers can also be used to fix root canal treatments, excessive fluoride use, and large resin fillings that have discolored the entire tooth. Other fixes include:

• Chipped or broken teeth
• Worn down teeth
• Misaligned, irregularly shaped, or uneven teeth
• Fill the gap between two teeth

If the thought of Porcelain or Resin Veneers appeals to you, it will require three appointments with your dentist. Of course, your teeth and gums need to be healthy before the veneering process begins.

During your treatment planning and diagnosis, your dentist will ask you what results you want to achieve. X-rays and impressions may also be made of your teeth.

In order to prepare your teeth for veneers, your dentist will remove ½ millimeter from the surface of your tooth. That amount is about the thickness of a dental veneer and may require a local anesthetic. After this procedure, your dentist will make a model of your tooth before sending the impression to a dental lab. Your dentist may also recommend temporary veneers.

When your permanent Resin or Porcelain Veneers are ready, your dentist will check for color, fit and placement, before etching and cleaning the surface of the tooth. Your dentist will then cement or bond and complete the process with a light that cures or hardens the cement.  

Dental Veneers can last for years as long as you practice good oral hygiene. If you would like more information regarding Porcelain or Resin Veneers, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.