All the smiles are equally beautiful, the main thing is to take care of them properly. Here is the most important thing that you need to know about it.
Do you need calcium and fluoride paste?
Fluorine, calcium and other minerals prevent the development of caries, in pastes they are effective. But if calcium has an impeccable reputation, then fluorine does not. Like any other substance, fluoride can be harmful if consumed in high doses. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) set the standard for fluoride levels in tap water at 0.7 mg per liter. It can be much higher in spring water and other untreated water. In normal fluoride doses, the only confirmed side effect is white spots on the teeth (fluorosis). There is no harm from them, it is a question of aesthetics.
According to Doc+ service data, in 16 settlements of Russia fluorine content in tap water is increased, therefore, if you live in them constantly, it is better to use fluorine-free paste. Although it is difficult for them to poison themselves even in this case: proven harm to the liver, for example, can be detected with the constant use of water with 12 mg of fluoride in a liter. In other cases, toothpaste with fluoride will be a necessary prevention of caries: modern food contains a lot of sugar and flour so that the "bad" bacteria in the mouth are more active, and caries develops more often.
Is there a pasta allergy?
Yes. Allergies can occur in the mouth (stomatitis) or in the mouth (inflammation of the lips, redness and flaking around them). Like other allergies, it can occur to any substance, but there are several common allergens. These are sulfates (SLS and SLES) that give the paste its foam, flavorings, antiseptic agents from menthol to propolis.
The most difficult thing to understand is which substance the skin reacts to: you will have to try a few pastes, paying attention to the composition. And buying pasta without a certain substance is relatively easy: information about it is an important sales tool for brands, so they almost always write about it on the packaging. And they often label them "for sensitive teeth".
Are bleaching pastes harmful?
These pastes cannot brighten the natural color of the enamel, but only remove plaque and stains from food, beverages, and smoking. They work by mechanical peeling (abrasive particles) or chemical peeling. On a site of medical site WebMD, it is specified that even pastes with abrasive particles do not harm enamels. This does not apply to homemade pastes, especially from the popular activated carbon. The effectiveness of charcoal pastes has not yet been proven at all, and their increased abrasivity can be harmful.
How do you know that paste is optimally abrasive?
All certified pastes are safe, so if a tube has an ADA (American) or EAC (European, including Russian) badge on it, you can buy them without fear. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against buying toothpaste from China: it fears that it may contain harmful diethylene glycol, which was found in a batch of Chinese pastes in 2007.
Sometimes whitening pastes are painted with a light blue shade of enamel to visually neutralize yellowness.