Committing to a certain brand and style of toothpaste can be difficult. Generally, it takes people a while to work their way through an entire tube of toothpaste, meaning that if you choose a toothpaste that you don’t like you could be stuck with it for a long period of time. While it's not particularly hard to go and buy a different kind of toothpaste if you don’t like the one you are currently using, we would rather see people choose the correct toothpaste the first time so that they don’t have to waste money buying more. Below, we have listed the most common styles of toothpaste available over-the-counter.

• Tartar Control: Tartar occurs when plaque buildup in the mouth becomes severe. Excessive tartar can have many negative consequences in relation to oral health and all dentist advise people to avoid tartar buildup as much as possible. While it is true that tartar can only be removed through a professional cleaning by your dentist, tartar control toothpaste can help mitigate the amount of plaque build up in the mouth. This type of toothpaste is excellent for people that are prone to excessive tartar build up and can greatly reduce the amount of plaque that builds up along the gums and in between teeth.

• Sensitive Teeth: People who suffer from sensitive teeth can attest to the fact that it is one of the most uncomfortable and annoying dental conditions. When teeth are overly sensitive, foods that are on the extreme end of the temperature scale can be nearly impossible to eat. Luckily, science has come through once again and there is toothpaste that is specifically designed to help people with sensitive teeth take control of their mouth again. It has been found that sensitivity of the teeth is most commonly caused by weakened enamel and, while toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth won’t necessarily rebuild the enamel on your teeth, it does contain a desensitizing agent that can provide some much needed relief. If you suffer from sensitive teeth we suggest that you visit your dentist to determine the root cause, however, using toothpaste designed specifically for sensitive teeth can go a long way in improving your quality of life.

• Whitening: As we have mentioned in a previous blog, society places quite an emphasis on the color of people’s teeth. Teeth that are stained from years of food and beverage consumption can ruin even the most beautiful of smiles and, as dentists, we never want to see that happen. While teeth whitening treatments exist, many people have found that a simple whitening toothpaste delivers effective results in lessening the appearance of staining in teeth. Formulas can include baking soda and peroxide to help penetrate the enamel and lift stains away, providing a daily whitening regimen that can go a long way in improving the color of teeth.

• Fluoride: Fluoride, a substance whose history is full of misinformation, has been one of the most influential factors in modern dentistry. Fluoride helps to strengthen and protect teeth from decay and, when added to toothpaste, can help to protect teeth better than normal toothpaste. It should be noted that fluoride toothpaste is typically given only on a prescription basis because overuse of fluoride can actually do more damage to teeth than good.