From a young age, we all got used to the fact that brushing our teeth is part of our daily self-care ritual. However, we sometimes approach its organization insufficiently responsibly, not paying attention, for example, to the choice of toothpaste. But it must be selected individually. Don’t know which one will fit? We will tell!
We clean and heal
Among the most common problems faced by modern people are:
tooth sensitivity;
darkening of the enamel, colored plaque;
caries;
tendency to inflammation of the gums.
Each of these problems requires the mandatory intervention of a dentist – professional oral hygiene, treatment with antibacterial compounds, coating the teeth with special means to strengthen the enamel and, of course, timely treatment of dental caries help to avoid the development of complications. But in each of these cases, the choice of home care products also plays an important role. So:
- If the teeth react painfully to hot or cold food, they “ache”, then their type is sensitive. If the upper dense layer of enamel wears out, then the vulnerable inner layer of tissue, dentin, is exposed (hence the discomfort). Visit the dentist: he will carry out special manipulations that close the “gaps” in the enamel, for example, he will treat the area of the tooth with fluoride or even put a filling. A special paste for sensitive teeth is suitable for you, it will strengthen vulnerable enamel due to the content of potassium and strontium salts.
- It happens that a person has strong enamel, but dark. In this case, whitening paste is suitable. You can use it 1-2 times a week (more often it is impossible, the enamel will suffer). The strongest compounds contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, but these products can only be used by those who have healthy teeth.
- Inflammation has developed in your oral cavity, are there wounds on the gums, stomatitis aphthae? Antibacterial paste will suit you. Gentle antiseptics showed themselves best: they not only do an excellent job with pathogenic microbes, but also help relieve irritation and inflammation of the gums. The composition often includes extracts of medicinal plants: sage, calendula, yarrow, chamomile.
- Pastes related to the type of anti-caries, contain mainly derivatives of fluorine and calcium. Fluorine is used to “heal” tooth enamel (it is able to close microcracks, preventing the development of a carious process). The content of this substance should not be too high: no more than 150 mg per 100 g of paste for adults and 50 mg per 100 g for children. Fluoride is contraindicated for some people – consult your doctor!
For special occasions
Oral care becomes more difficult when additional factors are present, such as if you have braces or removable dentures. Children’s age also imposes special requirements – after all, the tooth enamel of babies differs from the tissues of adults.
Toothpaste for children should have a gentle composition, for example, based on dicalcium phosphate or silicon dioxide. The fluorine content should not exceed 0.025%. Many dentists do not recommend the use of fluoride products for children under the age of three. The recommended RDA index is not higher than 50.
If you wear braces, you need to pay special attention to brushing your teeth. In addition to the standard brush and thread, it is also worth buying a special brush – with its help it is easier to get rid of food fragments in hard-to-reach places. Hygiene products are best chosen with a high fluoride content, since orthodontic treatment makes teeth more vulnerable to caries.
If you wear dentures, remember to clean them regularly. It is better to choose a toothpaste with a mild effect. Compositions with an abrasive effect should be avoided: they can scratch the surface of the prosthesis.
In addition to the paste, special gels and rinses are used for oral care. Consult your dentist – he will recommend the means that will be optimal in your case.
Be healthy!