How to Choose the Best Toothpaste in The Woodlands

Choosing the best toothpaste isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Although the aisle in in the supermarket is confusing with all of the different brands, flavors, features and ingredients, The Woodlands dental office of Dr. Shirley Cagle wants to make the process of choosing the right toothpaste a bit easier.

Most products in the toothpaste aisle will help keep your teeth clean and healthy, but there are some key things you should take into consideration when choosing a toothpaste.

First, you need to like the flavor, texture, and the toothpaste overall. Choosing a paste that you enjoy helps encourage you to brush everyday, twice a day – that’s the most important part of having healthy teeth and gums.

Another thing to look for to make sure you’re using the right toothpaste is the all-important ingredient of fluoride. Fluoride has been proven to protect tooth enamel from decay and is crucial to a healthy mouth. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, brushing with a fluoride toothpaste twice daily can reduce tooth decay and cavities by as much as 40%.

In addition to fluoride, toothpastes are also created to individual needs and can include speciality features that can help with sensitivity, tartar control, whitening, and breath-freshening.

Although choosing a good toothpaste is important, good oral hygiene goes beyond the kind of toothpaste you select. The American Dental Association recommends that you brush twice a day and make regular trips to our dental office in The Woodlands. If you’re overdue for a checkup or professional cleaning, give us a call today to schedule your appointment.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush in The Woodlands

Walking down the toothbrush aisle at the local supermarket can be an overwhelming experience –  especially if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for. When choosing the right toothbrush for your smile, there are a few important characteristics to take into consideration other than simply your favorite color or the one that’s on sale. At The Woodlands dental office of Dr. Shirley Cagle, we want to go back to the basics and discuss a few of the things you should look for when buying your next toothbrush.

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your toothbrush is a good starting point when choosing the ideal toothbrush for you. The head of the toothbrush should easily fit into your mouth without any strain or discomfort. The toothbrush should also fit comfortably in your hand and should feel as natural as holding a fork.

Bristles

The bristles of your toothbrush are also important and should be taken into consideration. While many people tend to think that harder bristles will be better for cleaning teeth, it is, in fact, the opposite. Hard bristles can irritate the gums and even damage teeth. Our dental office in The Woodlands prefers and recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes.

Manual or Powered?

According to the American Dental Association, both manual and powered toothbrushes are effective and thorough at cleaning your teeth. However, some individuals have difficulty using a manual toothbrush to successfully reach all areas of the mouth and find that powered toothbrushes are easier and more comfortable.

Whether you decide on manual or powered, it’s ultimately more important to make sure that your toothbrush is easy to use and that you’re comfortable with it. Dr. Shirley Cagle also recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day and to visit our dental office in The Woodlands regularly for professional cleanings and exams.