Toothpaste

Toothpaste can help remove dental plaque, their various functions depend on the active ingredients they contain.

There are many different types of toothpaste available in the market. The followings are the common types of toothpaste:
Fluoride toothpaste, desensitizing toothpaste, anti-calculus toothpaste, anti-plaque toothpaste, and whitening toothpaste. Their various functions depend on the active ingredients they contain.

Fluoride toothpaste

They contain Sodium Fluoride (NaF), Stannous Fluoride (SnF2), or Monofluorophosphate (MFP2). The fluoride content is about 1,000 parts per million (ppm). They are all effective in preventing dental caries. Children toothpaste contains 500ppm fluoride and is usually fruit flavoured, which is suitable for children.

Desensitizing toothpaste

The active ingredients help seal off the microtubules inside the exposed dentine (such as exposed root surface due to toothbrush abrasion) to reduce tooth sensitivity. Active ingredients such as Potassium Nitrate are used by different product manufacturers. There are many different types of desensitizing toothpastes marketed by different brand names. Their various functions depend on different active ingredients they contain. Therefore, you are advised to consult the dentist and undergo a thorough check-up to explore the cause of tooth sensitivity before using desensitizing toothpaste. You should consult the dentist if the symptoms of tooth sensitivity persist after using desensitizing toothpaste. Desensitizing toothpaste is not suitable for children.

Anti-calculus toothpaste

The manufacturer claims that the calcification of dental plaque could be retarded by this kind of toothpaste, thus it reduces the rate of calculus formation. The active ingredient is Pyrophosphate or Zinc Citrate.

Anti-plaque toothpaste

This kind of toothpaste inhibits plaque accumulation, reduces the toxic effects of the bacterial toxin on the periodontal tissues, thereby reduces the chances of getting periodontal disease. In the market, different anti- plaque toothpastes contain different active ingredients. For example Triclosan or Zinc Citrate.

Whitening toothpaste

This kind of toothpaste contains relatively coarse abrasives which function by abrading the stains on the tooth surface, giving a whitening effect. However, long term use will result in roughened tooth surfaces, which makes stains deposit more readily.