Brushing Up On Toothpaste

Help selecting the right toothpaste.

A glance at a store's toothpaste selection can make your head spin. Narrow the choices by checking for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Then try this guide:

• Pastes with mouthwash offer no advantage in beating bad breath, says Matt Messina of the ADA.


• All pastes contain a polisher and an abrasive. Baking soda is both. Choose this only if you prefer the taste.


• Whitening pastes won't get your teeth as white as if they'd been bleached, but they will brighten them more than a standard toothpaste, says Samuel Yankell, a dental scientist at the University of Pennsylvania.


• Kids don’t need their own toothpaste. And most don’t develop tartar until puberty, so a fluoride paste is enough, says Messina.


• Sensitive teeth? Potassium nitrate on the label means this paste will help block your teeth's pain receptors.

From Reader's Digest - October 2003

 

• • Dental Hygiene

• 3 Surprising Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
• Your toothbrush isn't the only weapon capable of protecting your teeth -- your diet helps too!
• 
• Your Oral Health Is in Your Hands
• You can achieve a cleaner, whiter, and healthier smile with these 6 inexpensive products.
• 
• Maintain a Healthy Smile
• 22 secrets for pearly whites.
• 
• How Your Dentist Can Save Your Life
• The dentist may be the most important doctor you see this year.
• 
• Dental Exams: How Often Do You Need Them?
• Taking care of your teeth is important. Find out who needs a dental exam, when to do it, and how it's done.
• 

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