Choosing the right toothpaste can prove overwhelming, as there’s seemingly endless options available today. Twice-daily teeth cleaning is imperative to having a healthy mouth, and selecting the best toothpaste depends greatly on your dental care needs.

The dentists at Pediatric Dental Group in Honolulu, HI are always ready to dispense dental hygiene advice, and offer the following information to help determine the best toothpaste for you:

• Fluoride: The naturally-occurring mineral provides an excellent defense against tooth decay. Even if the water in your area contains fluoride, most dentists recommend using a fluoride toothpaste. Should tooth decay susceptibility be an issue for you, it’s especially important to brush with this enamel-strengthening option.
• Tartar Control: Tartar is the hard form of plaque, the sticky white coating that appears on teeth following the interaction of food particles with mouth bacteria. It generally forms under the gums. If plaque is not removed daily, it morphs into tartar, which only a dentist can remove. Tartar control toothpastes are suggested if you have a tartar problem, or are trying to prevent further damage from gingivitis and gum disease.

• Desensitizing: This option is recommended if you’re suffering from weakened enamel or receding gums. A desensitizing toothpaste protects nerves from irritation by blocking pathways that connect to the nerves within a tooth.
• Whitening: Whitening toothpastes are generally for cosmetic purposes, as they contain abrasive chemicals or particles that remove tooth stains.

Most toothpastes contain fluoride, and those that do not will say “fluoride-free” on the label. Consider the advice of the Pediatric Dental Group staff and pick the paste that ensures optimal dental hygiene.

Schedule your next teeth cleaning by contacting Pediatric Dental Group today. Call (808) 593-8828 or visit the website to book your appointment.