How to Choose the Best Toothpaste for You

Brushing your teeth should be a non-negotiable part of your daily grooming routine. Choosing the best brand of toothpaste might be tricky, though, since there are so many options available. However, once you are clear on what you want from your toothpaste, those options will not seem quite as overwhelming.

Egyptians used a paste to clean their teeth thousands of years ago, even before toothbrushes were invented. Later, ancient people of China and India began using a paste. Ingredients used were a combination of odd ingredients and some we might use today, including ashes of ox hooves and eggshells, pumice, charcoal, bark, ginseng, herbs and salt. In modern times, powdered formulas that were added to water were used and contained ingredients such as charcoal, soap and chalk. In the mid-1800's, a crème toothpaste was created and a short time later, Colgate introduced toothpaste in a tube.

Toothpastes contain abrasive materials that scrub plaque away from your teeth. These abrasives also help remove food stains and polish the teeth to make them whiter. Fluoride is now a common ingredient in toothpaste. This natural mineral helps strengthen teeth. Other ingredients sometimes used in toothpaste keep harmful bacteria and plaque at bay.

In the paste, toothpastes were, for the most part, all created equal. Now there is almost a complete aisle at drug and grocery stores devoted to this dental care product. There are brands focused on preventing plaque and gingivitis (a form of gum disease). Some types promote long-lasting fresh breath. Other brands are aimed at controlling tartar, whitening teeth, decreasing sensitivity and cavity protection. There are toothpastes especially for kids, as well. The two basic consistencies of toothpaste are pastes and gels.

When deciding which toothpaste will be the most effective for you, consider special needs or problems you have, as well as preferences you have. If you have a propensity towards cavities or tartar buildup, choose a brand offering cavity or tartar protection. If you suffer cold or heat sensitivity, choose a brand that strengthens sensitive teeth. Gels offer a soft consistency and snappy flavor, while pastes are creamier and leave a fresh feeling in your mouth. There are numerous flavors available as well. By choosing a product you like, you are more likely to brush regularly. Ultimately, that is what matters.

Dr. Parish Sedghizadeh of the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry shares some insights. "The type of toothpaste generally matters little in effective oral hygiene, the key and gold standard is the brushing action on every tooth and between the gums because it offers mechanical debridement of the biofilm bacteria that attach to the tooth and cause cavities and periodontal disease. Hydrogen peroxide has been shown to be extremely effective at chemically removing biofilm bacteria."

Dr. Sedghizadeh recommends flossing and mouthwash in conjunction with regular, proper brushing. He also recommends something called " Nigerian chewing sticks".

"This is like using a toothpick or coarse brush for long periods throughout the day to clean teeth and gum surfaces," states Dr. Sedghizadeh, "so it has mechanical actions of debridement like a toothbrush, but research has also shown that the trees these sticks are derived from have significant anti-microbial properties against organisms known to be associated with cavities and gum disease."