With so many options to choose from, which is best? – or are they all just as good? – or does it matter? 

Let’s first review the popular kinds of toothpaste.

Tartar Control Toothpaste

Tartar, or calculus, is calcified plaque that adheres to the tooth.  It can’t be removed by brushing alone and must be professionally removed by your dentist or hygienist.  Tartar control toothpastes can prevent new tartar from forming on teeth, but can NOT remove the tartar already present.  This may be an option if you suffer from excessive tartar build up. 

The Good:  It can help control NEW tartar ABOVE the gum line.

The Bad:  Some people experience a reaction to the active ingredient, including sloughing of the cheeks, canker sores, and tooth sensitivity.

Baking Soda Toothpaste

Many people are huge fans of this type of toothpaste because of how clean their teeth feel after using it.  Baking soda is usually mixed with peroxide, providing an abrasive combination that can really get teeth feeling clean – although no research claims that cavity reduction is any different than other toothpastes.

The Good:  The flavor and smooth feeling of the teeth may make people brush longer and more often.

The Bad:  The abrasiveness can cause tooth erosion and gum recession, especially if combined with a hard-bristled toothbrush.   Also, as discussed earlier, these ingredients may cause irritation to the gums and cheek.

Desensitizing Toothpaste

There are two main ingredients the ADA recognizes to help reduce sensitivity: strontium chloride and potassium nitrate.  These work by blocking the tube-like channels that pass through teeth and connect to nerves.  If you have gum recession or erosive lesions that cause sensitivity to hot or cold, this may be the option for you.  If sensitivity persists, see your dentist. 

The Good:  Helps to eliminate sensitivity.

The Bad:  It may take 4-6 weeks to start working and only works in 80 – 85% of the population.

Whitening Toothpaste

The abrasiveness of these can help remove surface stains, but does little for internal stains.  For better results, you can use in combination with bleaching trays.  Check out our site for information on our new and improved bleaching technique.

The Good:  May see minimal results with removal of surface stains.

The Bad:  See above – minimal results.  Also, the abrasive nature can cause gum recession and erosive lesions, and gum and cheek irritation may arise.

Which Toothpaste is Best – FOR YOU?

This is the real question – which toothpaste fits your needs?  The minimum requirements of a good toothpaste are that it contains fluoride and has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.  If you are suffering from gum and cheek irritation, it could be caused by the additives in certain toothpastes.  In this case, choose one with the fewest additives – like a children’s toothpaste.  If the whitening or baking soda toothpaste is your thing, I would recommend not using it everytime you brush.  Maybe try it every other day to decrease the risk of tooth erosion and gum recession from the hard abrasives.  The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference – pick what you like but know the downsides, then make adjustments.

Other Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Toothpaste Even Necessary?

My answer would be YES.  Even though you can remove plaque just as well with only a brush and water, toothpaste offers more cleaning abilility through mild abrasives along with additional fluoride which is always a good thing. 

How Much Toothpaste Should I Give My Child?

A pea-sized amount is sufficient for children 7 years old and below.  This is to reduce the risk of fluoride overdose if swallowed.   

Paste or Gels?

Gels can be more abrasive, but both are effective.  The choice comes down to personal preference.

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The Link Between the Mouth and the Body

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Greystone Smile Design

Greystone Smile Design Blog

Hormonal changes, morning sickness, poor diet, and an increased gag reflex are obstacles that can put the expectant mother at risk for tooth decay and gingivitis.  Becoming knowledgeable regarding the causes of dental disease and adopting good oral hygiene practices are even more necessary at this time.

What is Pregnancy Gingivitis and Why Am I at Risk?

The most common oral complications during pregnancy are tender, red, swollen, sensitive, and bleeding gums, known as pregnancy gingivitis.  The hormonal changes during pregnancy change the body’s natural response to dental plaque, and thus exaggerate the way the gum tissues react, resulting in a higher chance of pregnant women getting gingivitis. The risk of getting gingivitis increases beginning with the second month of pregnancy and decreases with the ninth month. If you already have gingivitis going in to a pregnancy, it will likely get worse during pregnancy if you do not get treatment.  Keep in mind that it is bacteria, not hormonal changes, that causes gingivitis.  Hormonal changes only exacerbate the condition. 

What is a Pregnancy Tumor?

Pregnancy tumors (pyogenic granuloma) are benign lesions that are part of the exaggerated response to the bacteria plaque that causes gum disease.  Only a small percentage of pregnant women experience this, and it is recommended that these women see a dentist for treatment.

What is Periodontal Disease?

As plaque accumulates, the incidence of periodontal disease increases.  Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection below the gum line, which stimulates a chronic inflammatory response that results in destruction of the tissues and bone that support the teeth.

What Can Happen If I Have Periodontal Disease?

Bacteria from periodontal disease can be transmitted through the blood and amniotic fluid in the womb to your unborn child.  This could contribute to an increased risk of a premature delivery, a low birth-weight baby, preeclampsia, premature onset of contractions, or infection of the newborn child.  This evidence could have an important implication for women and babies’ heath since simple improvement of dental hygiene may help to reduce the incidence of unknown complications in pregnancy and newborn babies.

How Do I Prevent These Conditions?

See your dentist for an exam and a professional cleaning, then stay current with routine check-ups.  Your dentist will discuss diet, oral hygiene instructions, and what to expect as your pregnancy progresses.  Maintain meticulous oral hygiene by brushing 2-3 times a day and flossing at least once daily.  If you are suffering from morning sickness, rinse your mouth with water frequently and/or brush your teeth as often as possible to neutralize the acid.  Consume adequate levels of vitamins A, B12, and D to help maintain healthy gums, or consult with your obstetrician about prenatal vitamin supplements. 

A healthy mom equals a healthy baby – and that’s something to smile about! 

Two ways chewing gum can aid in the cleaning of teeth:  1)  Gum actually mechanically cleans teeth as you chew, and 2) Gum acts to promote saliva which can decrease the bacteria, decrease acidity, and remineralize teeth. 

So, let me back up – Bacteria in the mouth produces lactic acid which causes a demineralization (cavity) of enamel – and gum helps fight all three!

But, here’s the catch – it needs to be sugarless gum, not the Big League Chew that we all love and enjoy.  Gum with natural sugar DOES help mechanically clean teeth and DOES help promote saliva which fights bacteria, reduces acid, and adds minerals to teeth – BUT, if you’re constantly providing the SOURCE of tooth decay, then you’re fighting a no-win battle.  So, for review – Bacteria use sugar to produce the acid which causes the cavity.  Take out the sugar, and the process comes to a halt (for the most part). 

Sugarless gum uses sugar-free sweetners, such as Xylitol, that can NOT be broken down by bacteria.  So, we remove the bacterial source for causing tooth decay, and we regain our win-win relationship! 

Another popular sugar-free sweetner is Sorbitol.  Sorbitol, when consumed in large amounts, can act as a laxative causing chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.  One lady learned this the hard way – After stumping physicians with her excessive weight loss and stomach pain, they finally realized that she had been chewing 15 – 18 sticks of gum per day – the sorbitol was the culprit!  So, if gum containing sorbitol is your thing, consume responsibly.

What gum do you recommend?

My favorite is Trident Xtra Care (and I get no money for saying that).  Trident Xtra Care is the first sugarless (xylitol) gum to have the ingredient Recaldent, i.e.,  ACP-CPP (amorphous calcium phosphate-casien phosphopeptides).  Recaldent is a mixture of milk proteins, phosphate, and calcium, which penetrate the tooth to help remineralize (see above) weakened enamel.  You can’t chew too much, and it’s lactose-free.  We use a stronger solution of Recaldent at Greystone Smile Design to treat white spots (decalcification) and sensitivity – and have had awesome results!  See an example of remineralization combined with teeth whitening. 

Does “whitening gum” really whiten teeth?

The answer is – it depends.  It depends on the types of stains that you are trying to remove; it depends on your expectations; it depends on your age and the porosity of your teeth; it depends on how much you chew.  It depends!  Most manufacturers recommend chewing 6-8 pieces per day for 3-4 weeks in combination with your daily oral care regimen to get the best results.  These can work well with surface stains and may even prevent some stains from forming.  So, the answer is really yes – whitening gum CAN whiten teeth, and if your teeth don’t get as white as you wanted, you are still getting all the other benefits discussed earlier. 

What if my jaw hurts when I chew?

Jaw soreness from gum chewing is usually related to overactive muscles.  Jaw muscles may be fatigued from excessive forces from chewing or may be caused by grinding which can exacerbate the issue.  But don’t worry – we can treat it!  It may be as simple as wearing a nightguard at night or reshaping (minimal) the teeth so they come together more efficiently.  You can read the article on Bite Therapy for more information.

In summary, sugarless gum is great for teeth, and probably the next best thing to brushing.  But, if your teacher asks, you didn’t hear it from me!

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