Oral Hygiene Tip of the Month – July
What is toothpaste and why do we use it?
This month we’re talking about simple toothpaste tips!
Toothpaste, as the name suggests can either be a gel or paste used in combination with a toothbrush, as an accessory agent to clean your teeth! It contains multiple ingredients such as abrasive agents, antibacterial agents, fluorides, remineralisers, surfactants and etc. Every toothpaste has a different concentration of an active ingredient. Fluoride is an important active ingredient, found naturally in foods, water and is added to toothpaste for its anti-decay properties! Fluoride helps to remineralise tooth structure and prevent dental decay. Always read the label of your toothpaste to see how much fluoride it contains to see if it fits the guidelines set out by the Australian Dental Association:
- 18months – 5years old should brush their teeth with toothpaste containing 500-550ppm or 0.5-0.55mg/g of fluoride 2x day
- 6years & older should brush their teeth with toothpaste containing1000-1500ppm or 1-1.5mg/g of fluoride 2x day
Prior to purchasing a toothpaste – you must consider what you need it for? Are you after something for sensitive teeth, whitening, a children’s toothpaste, high- fluoride or just a general every-day type toothpaste?
Speak to your dental health professional today, to find out what toothpaste would suit your dental needs and to answer any questions you may have about your toothpaste! Call us on 62557800 today to find out which toothpaste is for you!
