Did you know that the first toothpaste was made of salt, pepper, mint leaves and iris flowers? These were the ingredients the Egyptians gathered and formed the famous toothpaste. Currently the components in toothpaste are varied. Depending on the brand, they contain a number of elements that promise quite a lot for a healthy smile. There are even some cases when the toothpaste that was incorrectly chosen takes us to the dental clinic. Although we have toothpaste in every home, few know how to choose so as to be truly beneficial for oral hygiene.

Manufacturers rely on the oral issue you are facing

It is true for everything, when we go shopping, the packaging is the one that attracts the eye. That’s why big companies, including those producing toothpaste, put a special emphasis on the appearance of the packaging and sometimes on the shape of the tube. If we are talking about packaging, in most cases it is indicated with uppercase characters what problem solves. More specifically, toothpaste for teeth whitening, gingival problems, or dental sensitivity. You will surely be tempted to choose the toothpaste that will specifically solve your problem, but we recommend you to take a deeper look at the preparation, because sometimes the appearance is misleading. Detailed data about your toothpaste can save you many displeasures and even some dental diseases.

The procedure of detartring is another problem that some products on the shelves promise you that they can solve, but here’s the first secret. If oral hygiene is missing from the daily program, no miracle paste will be able to remove the food residue layer formed at the base of the teeth. The only solution is the detartring procedure, which you can only do at a dental clinic with quality services. So, washing your teeth in the morning and in the evening will remove a burden from the list of responsibilities of the sparkling gel.

The secrets of the toothpaste are hidden on the label

So, how do you choose the perfect toothpaste for your needs? There are some nuances that you have to consider. If you feel uncomfortable, a dentist’s consultation will surely explain the problem. The law says that every product must contain a label that includes all the information about the components it is made of. This also applies to toothpaste. Here comes the first recommendation:

1. See the product label

In addition to the dozens of components that you will recognize on a label, a lot of attention should be drawn to the RDA Abrasion Index (measure of the abrasive power of the cleaning particles in use). Specialists recommend for daily use to choose a toothpaste whose index does not exceed 50.  It is true that if the index is higher then the stains on the teeth will be cleared more deeply. The highest degree of abrasivity is the 80-grade paste. However, such products should be used at most twice a week, because they can damage teeth gravely.

2. Avoid teeth whitening paste

The teeth whitening paste is positioned in the cosmetics category. Moreover, often such a paste will have a high abrasivity index, which will lead, as mentioned above, to the grinding of the enamel, and ultimately you will only cause damage to your little white diamonds. If you want a teeth whitening, rather ask your dentist.

3. Attention to fluoride – if it is too much, it is harmful to dental health

Fluoride is a substance that strengthens the tooth enamel and protects it from the appearance of dental caries. That is why for this reasons the water has been enriched with fluorine.

Of note is that too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis. In 200 towns in Moldova the water naturally contains fluoride over time – this is the case for the districts of Glodeni, Fălești, Florești, Calarasi, Nisporeni, Ungheni, Hâncești, Ceadir-Lunga, Basarabeasca, Căușeni district Criuleni. Fluorosis is the process in which the ability of the tooth bone decreases, thus on the theeth appear certain spots or even cracks. In other words, the teeth have suffered, if the quantity of this substance is exceeded. So, if you live in the areas listed above, we recommend to avoid tooth pastes with fluoride, but better go see the dentist.

Thus, if you live in the areas listed above, we recommend you to avoid toothpaste containing fluoride, but it is better to consult your dentist.

4. Do not use the same toothpaste for a long time

Even if you seem to have found the perfect dental cleansing alloy, we recommend you also to opt for other solutions that you will find in the trade. Maybe your daily pasta is good, but it may not cleanse your oral cavity anymore. Especially because every day new bacteria invade your mouth, so what if the toothpaste is new? Also, do not ignore dental floss and mouthwash – allies of trust against bacteria.

And now a last point. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova, only 3.7% of the population addressed the dentist in 2016. On what side of the barricade are you? If you’ve been avoiding the dentist’s office, then it’s time for a visit. An examination made in time will save you from a dental loss, solved only with a dental implant. At the same time, the dentist will help you choose the right tooth paste for your teeth.