The Best Sensitive Toothpaste
A toothpaste contains a variety of components that make your mouth feel fresh and clean. It also helps remove stains, prevent dental decay, and help improve bad breath.
Some toothpastes contain remineralizing agents that help strengthen the enamel of your teeth. These can lead to tooth discoloration therefore make sure you choose the right one for the needs of your mouth.
Fluoride
Fluoride is an anti-cavity and minerals that improve oral health. Fluoride is present in soil, water, and foods. Add it to toothpaste or water supplies to meet a variety of needs.
Its primary function is preventing tooth decay by “remineralizing” teeth. This helps to connect enamel to the zones of decay while also drawing the strengthening minerals, such as calcium to areas of the damage. Fluorapatiteis a tougher and stronger type of enamel is made. It is less prone to acidic bacteria.
That’s why it is recommended that the American Dental Association recommends brushing using a fluoride-based toothpaste at least two times a every day. In addition, your dentist may recommend fluoride gels or varnishes that you apply to your teeth to protect your teeth.
Toothbrushes with fluoride are available in an array of strengths. The majority of commercial brands possessing at least 1,000 parts of fluoride per million (i.e. 0.221% sodium fluoride or 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate).
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children use a toothpaste that has at least 1000ppm fluoride. To minimize swallowing risk toothpaste is applied in a thin “smear” with the use of a toothbrush that is small. It is also recommended that the toothpaste be slightly angled downward to ensure that any extra paste doesn’t go down into the throat.
In the long run, however, too much fluoride may cause a condition called fluorosis, which is the appearance of white spots or streaks on the teeth, and even gastrointestinal problems in youngsters who consume large amounts of toothpaste containing fluoride. In addition, it has been implicated in a number of adverse reactions in animal and human beings like the increase of levels of inflammation and altered brain development and loss of bone.
SLS
SLS, also known as sodium lauryl sulfate, is a common ingredient found in numerous personal product for personal care. SLS is derived from petroleum or natural sources like palm oil and coconut oil.
SLS acts as a foaming agent that is used in toothpastes to eliminate food particles, plaque and other irritants in your teeth. It also helps make the molecules in the toothpaste more slippery to allow them to be more easily absorbed into the tiny gaps between your teeth and gums.
However, there are plenty of toothpastes that are SLS-free and can still do an excellent job in removing the grime and plaque from your teeth without the use of this chemical. They don’t cause irritation or discomfort when you brush as well as help retain your fresh breath.
A further concern with SLS is its ability to irritate your mouth, especially the lip skin and tongue. The skin layer that covers the outside of your mouth can be irritated through SLS. This makes the mouth more susceptible to infection.
SLS could dry out your inside, which could result in bad breath along with other health issues. SLS-free toothpastes are recommended by dentists.
SLS may cause fluoride to not be as effective, which can lead to increased tooth decay. Furthermore, SLS can inhibit the bleaching effect that some toothpastes have. If you’re sensitive to SLS make sure you choose toothpaste that is made with SLS in a safe and gentle way such as Decyl Glucoside or Quillaja triterpenesic saponins.
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxideis also known as lye (used for soap production) or caustic sodium, is a potent cleanser that is used in toothpastes to neutralize acid and keep plaque from mineralising into calculus. However, it can cause dry and irritated mouths and isn’t suitable for children.
Fluoride, commonly used in extremely low quantities in the toothpaste to protect and stop tooth decay is the primary ingredient. The fluoride is slowly absorbed with time. It is a remineralising agent which helps in the repair of damaged areas on the surface of the teeth and protect against sensitivity from tooth decay.
It’s often combined in conjunction with other ingredients such as hydrated silica in toothpaste , to eliminate superficial stains and plaque. It is also a mild Abrasive that causes less damage to dentin and enamel as compared to other Abrasives.
It also acts as an anti-septic that helps to prevent gum disease and reduces plaque build-up. The foaming agent improves the cleaning capacity of toothpaste.
To enhance the effectiveness of your toothpaste and to keep your teeth in good shape, there are many fluoride-containing components. Stannous fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate are added to toothpaste for children and adults to protect against tooth decay.
Synthetic colors are employed in toothpastes to produce whiteness. These colors can also serve as flavourings. Though they’re not harmful but some artificial colours, such as yellow #5 have been associated with an increase in anxiety and hyperactivity among children.
The parabens and sorbitols are two other substances to stay clear of. They are known to cause hormonal disruptions in your body and may build up, which can lead to health problems.
Instead of using these products, you could utilize natural sweeteners, such as xylitol or stevia. The xylitol ingredient is a natural sugar alcohol that has been found to reduce tooth decay and increase saliva. This can assist to reduce bacteria within the mouth.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
SLS, also known as sodium lauryl silfate, also known as SLS as it is commonly referred to is one of the main ingredients used in toothpaste as well as other products for personal care. It is made either naturally or synthetically and is the ingredient that gives many products a foamy, smooth consistency.
It’s a surfactant that lowers water-oil surface tension to help bond and lifting particles such as dirt and grease. SLS can also be used to foam products, making it much easier for people to apply the product all around their mouths.
SLS is utilized in toothpaste since it assists in dissolving plaque as well as prevent stains. SLS also contains antibacterial qualities that help reduce the risk of developing gingivitis or cavities.
It’s a soap that is foamy and assists to create toothpaste that lathers more efficiently. Since it assists in removing irritating irritants and make it simpler to clean your teeth and gums, it’s a component which is utilized in foaming toothpaste and mouthwash.
The one drawback to making use of SLS is that it can be irritating to skin, specifically in the case of prolonged periods. This can make it the wrong choice for people who have sensitive skin, or who have rosacea, an inflammation of the skin that causes swelling, redness, and itching.
SLS is linked to an increased risk of oral and throat cancers. Although there isn’t any scientific evidence to support these assertions, they’ve been extensively circulated on the internet and remain a source of cause for concern.
Peppermint
Peppermint is the go-to scent of the season and has been widely used in toothpaste. The distinctive flavor and refreshing properties of the herb makes it the perfect toothpaste flavor.
Peppermint’s menthol is what makes peppermint have that refreshing, cool sensation. Menthol can also be used in fighting bad bacteria.
In addition to its breath-freshening effects, menthol can also stimulate your sensory receptors inside the mouth and on the skin. This creates an icy sensation. It is a great idea to make use of peppermint toothpaste when you’re looking to preserve good gums and teeth, because it may help in preventing cavities through strengthening enamel.
Bob Vogt (Colgate senior flavorist) Bob Vogt (Colgate senior flavorist) says peppermint is one of the most popular flavors due to its “slightly sweet taste” and “lingering coolness”. Peppermint can mask off-flavors from other components.
Mint oil has been used for centuries to treat ailments and as a therapeutic ingredient. Mint oil is among the most widely-used flavors for oral rinses and toothpastes of today. It’s not difficult to understand why: Mint is a common and easily available plant that grows in most parts of the world.
The fresh breath and smell makes it an excellent option for toothpaste. However, it also comes with antibacterial, antioxidant, and other qualities that assist in fighting gingivitis, plaque as well as bad breath. It’s also a good choice for kids’ toothpaste, as it can help prevent tooth decay.
Peppermint toothpaste is a great alternative if you’re looking for brands without fluoride or sodium lauryl-sulfate. They’ll have the same freshening characteristics and whitening capabilities however, they’re free of any dangerous ingredients that are found in many toothpastes.