A common question we get presented with is 'which toothpaste is the best toothpaste'?
Whilst the marketing gurus at the large dental companies will lead you to believe that their product is vastly superior to the competition, all toothpastes are made up of same basic ingredients. Fluoride, abrasive particles, some surfactant to get some bubbles and flavouring (generally mint).
Brushing your teeth serves 2 purposes, the toothbrush providing mechanical plaque and food removal (which should be complimented with flossing), and the toothpaste providing the fluoride which will remineralise and re-strengthen teeth after the exposure to acid which the plaque produces. The surfactant in theory helps remove the plaque by dissolving it, but if plaque is removed quickly enough after it forms it is soft and easily brushed away.
Whitening toothpastes work by having larger abrasive particles to help remove surface stains. These will help those who acquire stains on their teeth from coffee, tea, smoking etc, but will only provide very limited 'whitening' of the actual tooth.
Sensitive toothpaste have an extra component that work by blocking the small channels/tubules that are present on the tooth surface. These channels are exposed if the enamel or gum covering them is worn away by erosion, teeth grinding, decay or gum disease, and these channels lead straight into the nerve of the tooth. Sensitivity is felt when something cold/hot/sweet hits the channels and the stimulus is carried to the nerve. Blocking the channels with sensitive toothpaste will then prevent this transmission and therefore the sensitivity.
So what then is the best toothpaste?
If you don't experience any sensitivity, we recommend any fluoridated toothpaste that you don't mind the taste of (and hopefully is on sale!). Sensitive patients will benefit from 'sensitive' labelled toothpastes. The key to using toothpaste effectively is to only spit out the excess toothpaste once you've finished brushing, and not rinsing with water. This gives the fluoride more contact time on your teeth to remineralise and desensitise (if using sensitive toothpaste). Use a soft bristled toothbrush (medium and hard toothbrushes are too abrasive and destructive), or better yet an electric toothbrush.