Best Toothpaste for Cavity Repair and Other Oral Health Products to Consider in 2023
Know more about Oral Health Products
When choosing oral health products, you want to know that the products you use will help you have your best smile. Whether it’s removing stains, fighting plaque, or freshening your breath, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and your toothbrush all have a role to play in your oral health.
Many people look for the best toothpaste for cavity repair if they know they are prone to cavities or have existing tooth decay. Although repairing cavities is best done by your experienced Asheville dentist, it helps to get the right products to support your oral health between checkups.
So what is the best toothpaste for cavity repair? Here’s what you should look for in a toothpaste, as well as other oral health products to consider for a brighter smile in 2023.
Toothpaste With Fluoride (And Other Cavity-Fighting Ingredients)
The best toothpaste for cavity repair is a product that contains fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. In fact, fluoride may even help reverse cavities that are in their very early stages.
You can also look for toothpaste that is labeled specifically for cavity protection or tooth enamel strengthening. American Dental Association (ADA)-approved toothpaste must contain fluoride, and it cannot contain any flavoring agents that contribute to tooth decay, such as sugar.
When looking for the best toothpaste for cavity repair, focus on ingredients that help prevent tooth decay. Some of the best cavity-fighting ingredients in toothpaste, in addition to fluoride, include:
- Calcium phosphate. Calcium phosphate in toothpaste may help remineralize teeth, therefore strengthening tooth enamel and potentially helping to prevent tooth decay.
- Hydroxyapatite. A mineral with a mix of calcium, oxygen, hydrogen, hydroxyapatite may help prevent cavities as much as fluoride and may even help reverse cavities in the early stages of development.
- Xylitol. Toothpaste with xylitol has been shown to reduce the amount of cavity-causing bacteria in the oral cavity and to increase the pH of saliva, two benefits that may help fight cavities by reducing tooth enamel damage.
- Zinc citrate. In fluoride toothpaste, zinc citrate has been shown to reduce plaque bacteria, which may help reduce plaque buildup in the oral cavity and decrease the risk of tooth decay.
Use the Right Kind of Floss for Your Smile
There are many different kinds of floss to choose from. The best kind of floss to use is one that you will actually use. You should floss once a day to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from tight spaces between the teeth, places that your toothbrush can’t reach.
Depending on your smile, you may benefit from unconventional types of floss. For example, people who have braces, dental bridges, and dental implants may benefit from a water flosser. Water floss has been shown to be as effective as regular floss in research. A water flosser can also be a good choice for those who lack the dexterity to use traditional floss.
You also have the option of using dental tape. Dental tape is similar to dental floss but thicker. It can be beneficial for those who have wider gaps between their teeth or if they have trouble handling thinner floss.
When choosing between waxed vs. unwaxed floss, keep in mind that waxed floss is better for those who have tight spaces between their teeth where unwaxed floss can get stuck.
And if you have dental restorations, such as a crown or bridge, you might benefit from using a flossing aid, such as a water flosser or flossing tool, that can help you better reach your gumline to remove plaque and bacteria when flossing.
Make flossing every day one of your New Year’s Resolutions for 2023 with the right products!
Go Electric if You Haven’t Already
If you haven’t switched to an electric toothbrush yet, now is the time. Electric toothbrushes have been shown to reduce plaque, clean teeth more effectively, and improve gum health compared to manual toothbrushes.
Electric toothbrushes also come with helpful features, such as a built-in timer that allows you to brush for the full two minutes. Some electric toothbrushes even come with app access, which allows you to track your brushing progress and see which areas of your mouth you miss most when brushing. Electric options can also benefit individuals who have trouble handling a manual toothbrush.
In addition, electric toothbrushes allow you to simply replace the brush head instead of the whole toothbrush. This way, you can be friendlier to the environment by reducing waste.
Whether you choose to use an electric toothbrush or a manual one, be sure to use a brush head with soft bristles. The American Dental Association recommends soft bristles to help prevent damage to tooth enamel.
You can look for ADA-approved electric toothbrushes, but any electric brush that you like and will use can help you clean your teeth better than a manual version.
During the holidays, keep an extra manual toothbrush on hand just in case—you never know when you’ll run out of brush heads, need to travel unexpectedly, or lose power, so it pays to have an extra toothbrush available.
Ask Your Asheville Dentist About Mouthwash
Although mouthwash isn’t necessary for everyone, some individuals may benefit from using mouthwash to support their oral health. For example, there are mouthwashes that can help fight bad breath, reduce gum inflammation, and minimize your risk of tooth decay.
During your next checkup, ask your dentist in Asheville if a mouthwash would benefit your oral health. Your dentist can make recommendations based on your smile and your oral health and let you know if mouthwash would be a worthy addition to your oral care routine.
Stay Healthy in 2023!
How do you plan to stay healthy in 2023? Remember that your teeth and gums don’t just impact your appearance—they affect your bodily health and even your longevity. Fortunately, by choosing the right products, being diligent with your oral care, and visiting your dentist, you can have your best smile in the New Year. Happy New Year from all of us at Saunders DDS–we wish you a happy and healthy 2023!
The highly qualified team at Asheville Dental Clinic can make sure you have the most beautiful smile. Discuss about the right Tooth paste for cavity repair with Saunders DDS during your next appointment.