Toothpaste is a product you use twice a day, every day to keep your smile healthy. But how much do you really know about this gooey substance that you slather across your toothbrush? Have you ever been curious about why it looks or feels the way it does and how it really works inside your mouth? At Gainesville Dental Group, we are happy to answer your toothpaste questions. There’s no substitute for this oral health product, so you might as well get to know it.
- Why Is Toothpaste So Gritty?
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While it may look smooth on the outside, most toothpaste has a gritty texture. This is an important abrasive component that is needed to scrub away dental plaque and stubborn food particles from your tooth surfaces. This gritty feature also works to help polish your smile and shine your tooth enamel.
- Why Is Toothpaste Mint Flavored?
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The mint flavoring of toothpaste isn’t needed to actually clean your teeth. However, peppermint and wintergreen flavoring gives a “clean feeling” and has a powerful and lingering taste that can instantly freshen your breath and make you want to keep up the habit. Although you may think the mint flavoring is what gets rid of your bad breath after brushing, it is really the removal of food debris and bacteria inside your mouth that prevents halitosis.
- Which Is Better, Paste or Gel Toothpaste?
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When it comes to choosing paste or gel style toothpaste, you can’t lose. There are minimal basic differences between the two. Much like the flavor of your toothpaste, the form (gel or paste) essentially comes down to your personal preference.
- Is There One Ingredient More Important than the Other?
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It only takes one glance at the oral hygiene aisle of your local pharmacy or grocery store to realize the expansive options you have for toothpaste. While flavor and texture may be negotiable in your choice, you shouldn’t overlook one important ingredient in your toothpaste – fluoride! Fluoride is highly instrumental in preventing tooth decay and protecting your teeth from harmful acids. You’ll also need to make sure your toothpaste as the ADA seal of approval.
Let Us Help You Choose
There are toothpastes for whitening, tartar control, sensitive teeth, enamel protection and more. To narrow down your choices, your dentist at Gainesville Dental Group can help. We know what your smile needs most. Now that you’ve gained a closer relationship with your toothpaste, we hope you’ll appreciate (and use) this dental care product even more.
Posted on behalf of Gainesville Dental Group
