Choosing Toothpaste in 5 Steps
Toothpaste is an indispensable product for oral and dental health. Toothpaste cleans teeth, prevents cavities, protects gums, eliminates bad breath and whitens teeth. However, not all toothpaste is the same. When choosing a toothpaste, it is necessary to find the one that suits your needs, expectations and budget. So, what should you pay attention to when choosing toothpaste? In this article written by Evla experts, you can read five important points you should pay attention to when choosing toothpaste.
1- Fluoride Content of Toothpaste
The first point you should pay attention to when choosing toothpaste is the fluoride content of the toothpaste. Fluoride is a natural mineral and helps prevent cavities by strengthening tooth enamel. Additionally, fluoride can reverse tooth decay by repairing minor damage to the tooth surface. Fluoride is the most basic ingredient of toothpastes and is beneficial for dental health. However, too much fluoride can also be harmful. Excessive fluoride intake can cause tooth stains, tooth enamel damage and bone problems. Therefore, you should not use or swallow toothpastes containing fluoride more than twice a day. For children, fluoride-free or low-fluoride toothpastes should be preferred. You can check the fluoride content of the toothpaste by reading the label on it.
2- Abrasiveness Degree of Toothpaste
The second point you should pay attention to when choosing toothpaste is the degree of abrasiveness of the toothpaste. Abrasives are substances used in toothpastes to remove stains, plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth. Abrasives such as magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silica, aluminum oxide and phosphate salts can be found in toothpastes. Abrasives help whiten your teeth and make them look brighter. However, too much abrasives can also be harmful. Toothpastes that are too abrasive can erode tooth enamel and gums and cause tooth sensitivity. For this reason, toothpastes with low or medium abrasiveness should be preferred. The degree of abrasiveness is stated on the label on the toothpaste as RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasivity) or Mohs Hardness Numbers (MHN). RDA value varies between 0 and 250. Toothpastes with an RDA value between 0 and 70 have low abrasiveness, those between 70 and 100 have medium abrasiveness, those between 100 and 150 have high abrasiveness, and those between 150 and 250 have very high abrasiveness. Do not forget to check the RDA value by reading the label on the toothpaste.
3- Active Ingredients Contained in Toothpaste
The third point you should pay attention to when choosing toothpaste is the active ingredients the toothpaste contains. Active ingredients are substances used in toothpastes for a specific purpose. For example, ingredients such as chlorhexidine, zinc citrate, triclosan and aloe vera can be used to protect against gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Substances such as potassium nitrate, strontium chloride and arginine may be included in toothpaste to protect against tooth sensitivity. Ingredients such as baking soda, carbamide peroxide, and hydrogen peroxide may be present to aid in teeth whitening. When choosing toothpaste, you can choose toothpastes containing these active ingredients according to your needs. When choosing a toothpaste, do not forget to read the label and check the active ingredients.
4- Taste and Smell of Toothpaste
The fourth point you should pay attention to when choosing toothpaste is the taste and smell of the toothpaste. Toothpaste comes in different flavors and scents. Some toothpastes have herbal flavors such as mint, eucalyptus, lemon, orange and lavender. Some of them contain chemicals such as menthol, chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide. The taste and smell of toothpaste can affect your brushing habits. A toothpaste you don't like can make brushing your teeth difficult, while a toothpaste you like can make brushing your teeth easier. The taste and smell of toothpaste is a personal preference, but the taste and smell do not determine the effectiveness of the toothpaste. The effectiveness of toothpaste depends on the fluoride, abrasive and active substances it contains.
5- Quality and Reliability of Toothpaste
The fifth and last point you should pay attention to when choosing toothpaste is the quality and reliability of the toothpaste. Toothpaste is a product that directly affects our oral and dental health. Therefore, when choosing toothpaste, pay attention to its quality, content, production and reliability. The quality and reliability of the toothpaste can be understood from the labels, stamps and certificates on the toothpaste. For example, it can be checked whether the toothpaste has a stamp approved by the Ministry of Health. This stamp indicates the quality and reliability of the toothpaste. You can also check whether the toothpaste has a stamp approved by the Turkish Dental Association.
You can immediately take a look at the toothpastes in the Evla selection and follow these 5 steps when choosing the best toothpaste for you.
