Toothpaste

One of the most common questions I have encountered in my 40+ years of practicing dentistry is, “What toothpaste should I use?” The answer – and the choices – used to be fairly simple.

American Dental Association Seal of Approval

My answer is the same now as it was 40 years ago: “Any fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association Seal of Approval is acceptable for daily use.” The choices, however, are no longer that simple. There used to be 3 brands with that seal, and that number has grown to 49 in 2017.

You can discover the various toothpaste offerings by going to the ADA Shopping List. There are multiple variations within the major brands and many so-called no-name brands that have been scientifically evaluated and accepted as being safe and effective, falling within the guidelines of safety and effectiveness set by the American Dental Association.

The seal is printed right on the tube containing the toothpaste. As long as you select a toothpaste with the ADA Seal printed on it, it really is just a matter of personal preference.

Beyond that, the toothpaste you select is far less important than learning what it takes to actually get the teeth clean on a daily basis. That, in fact, is not as easy as most people think. And that is the subject of the next few entries in this blog.
Posted June 8, 2017 by Dr. Kevin Kelaher of Highland Dental Group