The ways through which toothpaste helps in strengthening tooth enamel

Toothpaste is found in the form of gel or paste and is used for cleaning and maintaining healthy teeth. It usually comes in a white texture that helps in removing plaque & food particles from the teeth. It also prevents oral health problems by building a barrier known as enamel. Dentists always advise people to brush their teeth twice a day as it’s an important part of people’s daily dental care routine. The ingredients used in toothpaste ensure to protect teeth from gum disease and tooth decay. Some common ingredients used in various types of toothpaste are:

• Fluoride: it is an essential mineral and keeps teeth protected from tooth decay.
• Glycerol: it doesn’t allow the toothpaste to dry out.
• Sorbitol: it is commonly known as glucitol, utilized as a sweetening agent.
• Calcium carbonate: it is a conventional abrasive, which removes plaque, debris, and surface stain from the teeth.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: extensively used synthetic detergents in toothpaste.

Classification of toothpaste:

Toothpaste is made from ingredients that help in cleaning and polishing the tooth enamel and retains the freshness of the mouth. According to the tooth-related problems, several kinds of toothpaste are available in the market to help people. Toothpaste is classified into five types that are briefly described below:

Children’s Toothpaste

Children need toothpaste that contains a low amount of fluoride. Many times, children swallow toothpaste which can cause stomach ache. Children are more sensitive than elder ones as well as their teeth are more sensitive, so they do not need hard brushing on teeth. Toddlers need a toothpaste that is appropriate to their age and at this stage, they start getting training on cleaning their teeth and maintaining oral hygiene.

Tartar Control Toothpaste

Several times we notice that plaque starts building when some food particles get stuck in the teeth after having lunch or dinner. The build-up plaque starts hardening after some time when left unnoticed and untouched by the toothbrush. This causes severe problems in the tooth. Tartar control toothpaste helps in resolving this problem by dissolving plaque and restores healthy gum tissue. It also resolves the problem of bad breath.

Fluoride Toothpaste

About a century ago, fluoride was included in toothpaste to diminish the problem of tooth decay and dental infections. It is commonly used in all types of toothpaste, but its quantity depends upon the need of the consumers. Such toothpaste is mostly used by people whose enamel is weak and thin. It acts as a protective layer over enamel and protects teeth from harmful food & beverages, cavities, and decay.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste offers to whiten your teeth and helps in solving the problem of yellowing teeth and aging. It works as a scrub because it contains extra gentle abrasives, which helps in removing the stain out of the teeth. Baking soda builds a protective barrier that is present in whitening toothpaste and blocks the sensitivity triggered by food products that are sweet, cold, and hot.

Sensitive Toothpaste

Numerous people experience discomfort and pain while eating & drinking, this is due to the sensitive teeth because they have thin enamel naturally. When people start experiencing such problems they find eating and drinking a difficult task. To tackle such problems sensitive toothpaste helps as they include special compounds, which block the nerves in the teeth. The blocking of nerves prevents sensitivity from the hot and cold products.

Some points to keep in mind to strengthen tooth enamel:

Enamel is an important part of the teeth and commonly gets affected if not given proper care. The damages caused to the enamel cannot be repaired without giving proper attention. The reasons behind the weakening of the enamel are:

• Dry mouth
• Improper dental habits
• Hard brushing
• Unhealthy diet
• Smoking or consuming tobacco

Regeneration of the enamel is not possible without proper care. Enamel is also protected by saliva as it washes away food matter, mineralize, and neutralizes its acidity. The following steps can help to elude enamel damage:

Purchase products that include fluoride:

As studied earlier, fluoride prevents teeth from getting decay. Thus, products with a certain amount of fluoride in it can help in preserving healthy enamel and remineralizing teeth. products that include fluoride are:

• Antiseptic mouth rinse and Mouthwash
• Toothpaste
• Water (natural water contains fluoride)

Emphasize proper dental hygiene:

Nowadays dental hygiene is very important for clean & healthy teeth and it's essential to follow a proper dental care routine. It might be challenging for a person to do changes in the daily routine. Here are some suggestions that help in the proper care of the enamel:

• Pick a toothpaste that contains fluoride
• Brush softly and choose a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Change toothbrush after few months
• Regularly visit the dentist to prevent long-term damage

Intake tooth-healthy diet:

To keep enamel robust and maintain proper oral health, a healthy diet is necessary. A healthy diet includes food that is enriched with nutrients, stimulates remineralization & saliva production. Sugar-free gum is also helpful because it comprises xylitol that helps in saliva production and keeps enamel hydrated. Following are the list of items that should be included in the healthy diet:

• Low-fat dairy products
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins
• Water
• Fruits & vegetables

Summing up

The daily dental hygiene routine comprises teeth cleaning and maintenance. Toothpaste removes plaque and the stuck food particles to keep teeth hygienic & healthy. The same ingredients are present in all toothpaste. Some food products are harmful to teeth because they start damaging them.

The food that we intake comprises sugar due to which, bacteria start producing acids that gradually damage the tooth enamel and later creates gum problems. Hence, brushing teeth with toothpaste daily is the only solution that keeps teeth white, balances the pH of the mouth, prevents bad breath, and protects from tooth sensitivity.