There are so many toothpastes and mouthwashes on the market today, and sometimes patients feel a little overwhelmed when evaluating all of their options. That’s why our Glendale dentists are here with some information about common ingredients in oral hygiene products. Take a look at the things you’re using to clean your mouth to get a better idea of what your oral hygiene products are doing to help your smile!
One of the key goals of toothpastes and mouth rinses is to inhibit the development of dental cavities. For this reason, fluoride is often included in these types of products. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that helps to strengthen dental enamel and allow it to re-mineralize. Fluoride makes your enamel stronger and more resilient so that bacteria cannot penetrate the tooth’s surface.
Obviously, toothpastes also need to be able to effectively brush away plaque and food particles. That is why toothpastes include abrasive agents; these ingredients effectively clean the teeth without being too rough and sharp on dental tissues. If you see ingredients like magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicate, or phosphate salt, then you’ll know that your toothpaste has abrasive agents.
As more and more patients are searching for solutions to dental sensitivity, toothpastes and mouth rinses are being thoughtfully crafted to include ingredients that keep patients smiling comfortably. Sensitivity occurs when a patient’s nerves, which sit inside the tooth, are too exposed. Certain ingredients, like calcium sodium, phosphosilicate, stannous fluoride, and potassium salts can minimize nerve sensitivity. If you’ve noticed that you’re experiencing dental discomfort when drinking hot/cold beverages, or in cold weather, talk to your dentist about what kind of sensitivity-minimizing formulations you should incorporate into your routine.
As always, our Glendale dentists are happy to give you more information about commonly used dental ingredients, as well as ways you can optimize your at-home oral hygiene efforts. Give us a call to get started!