We now live in an ever-evolving world where our choices and social media influence spreads way beyond the traditional Colgate, Oral B and Maclean’s options of not that long ago. Of course these options are still greatly used and favoured by your dentist/orthodontist.
Choosing the right toothpaste depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Don’t like mint? There are so many great choices now, with brands like HiSmile and Curaprox offering an absolute huge range of flavoured toothpaste. These all contain fluoride and are sweetened by artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol and xylitol, so these also get your dentist’s tick of approval.
Whitening toothpaste also have great benefits, but your orthodontist does not recommend their usage whilst in active treatment. Whitening teeth when braces or aligner attachments are in place can lead to patchy spots on your teeth.
Charcoal toothpaste or activated charcoal are also not recommended due to their abrasive nature leading to damage to your teeth’s enamel and soft tissues.
Bicarb powder and baking soda have also been used for many decades to remove dental plaque whilst brushing. These can also be abrasive and contain no fluoride and are not recommended.
Cleaning teeth with coconut oil or oil pulling has shown to have no benefit to your oral hygiene.
Adding salt, vinegar or peroxide to your toothpaste or used by themselves are not recommended. All these substances are either too abrasive or acidic, and can cause permanent enamel damage.
Consult your Dentist to help decide on the toothpaste for you.
At the end of the day, it’s not what’s on your toothbrush, but what you do with it. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride containing toothpaste and flossing will always be your dental professional’s advice.
