Buying toothpaste seems like it should be a simple thing to do, but that isn’t always the case. Most people comparison shop to find the lowest per-ounce price for a tube as well as consider the reputation of the brand that sells it. If you’re the main shopper for your family, you also need to think about each person’s unique oral healthcare needs. This could require you to purchase two or more tubes of toothpaste. We discuss some of the most common options below.

Basic Toothpaste

This can include any brand of toothpaste that includes fluoride to help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride contains ions called anions. This term describes a negative charge, which all basic toothpastes contain. Any toothpaste with a positive charge would be acidic, which you would obviously want to avoid.

Charcoal Toothpaste

People who follow do-it-yourself (DIY) beauty trends might be interested in buying toothpaste that contains activated charcoal. This ingredient can naturally eliminate teeth staining from the effects of medication, smoking, natural decay, the foods you eat, and the beverages you drink. One thing to keep it mind with charcoal-based toothpaste is that the ingredient binds to teeth and can make any medications you take less effective. Be sure to speak to your doctor or dentist if you’re considering this toothpaste option.

Homemade Toothpaste

Some people enjoy making their own grooming products. Others want to ensure that they know exactly what their toothpaste contains because they have sensitivities to common toothpaste ingredients such as food coloring, aspartame, and sorbitol. If you’re interested in DIY toothpaste, you will need to gather the following ingredients:

• Two-thirds of a cup of baking soda
• 15 drops of peppermint essential oil or up to two tablespoons of peppermint extract
• Filtered water
• If you prefer a grittier texture, add one tablespoon of finely graded sea salt

Mix the ingredients together and then allow them to sit for several minutes before placing on your toothbrush. You will need to place the mixture in a covered container and store it in the refrigerator so it doesn’t spoil.

Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

If you’re sensitive to certain toothpaste ingredients or feel pain when you brush with regular toothpaste, consider switching to toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. It numbs the sensitivity of your teeth by blocking the tubules in dentine that causes the reaction. Potassium nitrate in this type of toothpaste helps to keep overactive nerves calm as well.

Whitening Toothpaste

If you prefer not to use charcoal-based toothpaste to get your teeth whiter, toothpaste made especially for that purpose can be a good alternative. Whitening toothpaste contains sodium tripolyphosphate, peroxide, and baking soda that act as abrasive elements to attack the stains.

Ask Your Dentist for Advice

If you’re not sure which type of toothpaste is best for you, be sure to ask us the next time you visit our clinic in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. We will consider the unique properties of your teeth and let you know which type of toothpaste would be the best fit.