The most common
advertisements seen today are for oral care products like
toothpastes, toothbrushes and mouthwashes. And with the
proliferation of different toothpastes, each one is trying to
find a niche. Hence manufacturers would have us believe that we
need a different toothpaste for whitening teeth, for controlling
tartar, for fresh breath, for bleeding gums, etc. But is that
really the case?
The GEL Craze:
Today gels are
being advertised more than regular pastes. And every second
person we ask says that they have switched to gel. Some think
that gels are better tasting. Others think they are more
refreshing, contain a mouthwash, whiten teeth, or are just plain
cool!!! None of the above is based on factual data.
Most gels do not
contain fluoride, a chemical that is highly recommended to
prevent tooth decay. Gels contain Silica gel, as opposed to
pastes which contain Sodium Laurel Sulphate. This silica gel may
be more abrasive than SLS, however not very significantly. Hence,
if you live in a fluoride-deficient region, use
Fluoride-containing paste. But if you live in a fluoride-endemic
area, then a gel may be used.
Speciality Toothpastes
We get special
toothpastes to control tartar, to prevent gum disease, to whiten
teeth, to desensitize teeth, and for tobacco users. This
bewildering array can be quite confusing to the layman.
Tartar
control toothpastes cannot remove the tartar that is
already present. They can only prevent the formation of
additional tartar. Hence it is necessary to get a
professional cleaning done before beginning to use this
kind of toothpaste.
Gum
disease preventing toothpastes are the newest addition to
the market. They can control the deposition of harmful
plaque and can prevent gum disease. However, they cannot
treat existing gum disease. They are recommended by
dentists to those having a tendency towards heavy plaque
deposition.
Smoker's
toothpastes are not recommended as they contain gritty
particles to abrade away the stains caused by the use of
tobacco. They can damage the tooth structure by excessive
abrasion and also cause gum recession.
Sensitivity
toothpastes are useful when a person has recession of the
gums, causing the roots of the teeth to become exposed to
the oral environment. They contain chemicals which can
block the sensations from passing to the nerve of the
tooth. They can be used for a few months after
consultation with your dentist to rule out any other
problem.
Whitening
toothpastes do their work either by chemical action or by
physical abrasive action. The abrasive action is harmful
to your teeth, as seen under Smoker's toothpastes. The
chemical action may be safe but it is a slow process. If
you are serious about whitening your teeth, consult your
dentist about other options for tooth whitening.
Fresh-breath
toothpastes or gels contain flavours that will mask your
bad-breath for a certain period of time. They cannot get
to the root-cause of the problem.
Ayurvedic
medicated toothpastes are available and some people are
very happy with the results. We are not qualified to
judge the efficacy of the constituents. The only thing
against them is their gritty consistency, which can cause
severe abrasion of the enamel. Some pastes contain clove
oil, which has no proven value when used in the form of a
toothpaste. In addition, the pungent taste can be quite
strong.
Some people like
to use a toothpowder instead of a paste, believeing them to be
better at cleaning teeth. Their abrasiveness is their negative
characteristic. There is no actual advantage to using a powder
over a paste.
When gels
containing mouthwash were first introducted, some people assumed
that it was no longer necessary to wash their mouth after
brushing - the mouthwash would do it for them anyway!
Brush your teeth
twice a day with a fluoride-containing paste. Use a soft-medium
bristle brush with a small head and a straight handle. Brushing
is achieved by the mechanical action of cleaning with the
bristles of the brush. Take the time to learn the correct
technique of brushing from your dentist. No
toothpaste can help if you do not brush correctly and adequately!
