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Written By: Sponsored | Updated : March 20, 2018 8:12 PM IST
Home remedies like placing onion slice on the tooth ca help you to deal with tooth sensitivity. © Shutterstock
Just as we choose skin or hair care products according to your skin/hair type, it is equally important for us to choose toothpaste that is specifically formulated for our oral care needs. Toothpastes come in many varieties. They may contain different active ingredients to combat dental caries, gum disease, and tooth sensitivity. Furthermore, they may contain abrasives to clean and whiten teeth, and flavors for the purpose of breath freshening1, 2
On this World Oral Health Day i.e. 20th March, let s take another step towards good oral health and hygiene. Here are 4 signs that may encourage you to consider a switch from regular toothpaste to specialized toothpaste:
Plaque on Teeth
When bacteria in your mouth are not removed by brushing and flossing, they stick to your teeth and multiply into larger colonies called plaque. This sticky plaque damages teeth in two ways. Firstly, food particles, especially sugars, stick to it. The plaque uses these food particles to grow more bacteria and to produce acid. Secondly, the plaque holds the acid against the tooth surface. If not removed, the acid will eventually work on the tooth enamel, causing a cavity. When you use toothpaste that attacks plaque, it, in fact, fights the germs that cause cavities3.
Feeling Sensitivity in Teeth
If you feel a short, sharp twinge of pain when eating hot or cold foods and drinks, brushing or flossing, or even breathing cold air-you may have sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth is a condition that won t go away on its own. It is suggested that you use desensitizing toothpaste which is safe to use since it can block nerve endings that cause pain and thus, help with sensitive teeth3.
Staining of Teeth
Sooner or later, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons such as drinking coffee or tea, tobacco use, or some medicines. To help you get back your pearly whites, many whitening toothpastes are now being marketed for everyday use4. Whitening toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives that scrub the teeth5.
Bad Breath
If you don't brush your teeth properly on a daily basis, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue, and can cause bad breath6. Using effective toothpaste for bad breath is very important. Fresh breath toothpastes are designed to mask bad breath but do not actually treat halitosis.
References:
1) Lippert F. Monogr Oral Sci. 2013; 23: 1-14.
2) ADA. Toothpastes. Available from http://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/toothpastes. Accessed on October 12, 2017.
3) Toothpaste. Available from http://extension.uga.edu/content/dam/extension-county-offices/oconee-county/4h/toothpaste-info.pdf. Accessed on October 12, 2017.
4) WebMD. Weighing your toothpaste options. Available from https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/weighing-your-toothpaste-options#1. Accessed on October 12, 2017.
5) ADA. Tooth whitening. Available from http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/whitening. Accessed on October 12, 2017.
6) WebMD. Dental health and bad breath. Available from https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/bad-breath#1. Accessed on October 12, 2017.
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