4 How to choose the best toothpaste for cavities & bull; hello healthy

Depending on how big the hole is, your teeth can feel a little sore or sore. Even if you leave cavities, you are prone to tooth infections and tooth loss. So before taking toothache medication, brushing your teeth with the right choice of toothpaste can prevent cavities from getting worse. So, how do you choose toothpaste for cavities?

Why are teeth cavities?

The medical term for cavities is caries or cavities . The main cause of cavities is the buildup of plaque on the teeth as a result of not maintaining proper oral hygiene.

Plaque is a layer formed from food debris, saliva, and millions of bacteria. When you rarely clean your teeth, plaque will build up on the surface and between the teeth.

Bacteria that live in plaque will then multiply and produce acids that erode the enamel (outer layer of teeth). The enamel that is constantly being eroded will eventually rot and form holes.

The more plaque that accumulates on the surface of the teeth, the holes that are formed also tend to be bigger. You may not feel anything when the holes are still small. However, if the hole has gotten bigger, you will be more prone to experiencing toothaches.

How to choose toothpaste for cavities

One of the simplest ways to deal with cavities is to brush with the right toothpaste. Unfortunately, there are many toothpaste products on the market with different brands, colors and flavors.

You may currently be confused about which toothpaste is best for cavities. Well, here are some things you need to pay attention to when you want to buy toothpaste for cavities.

1. Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride

Toothpaste contains many active ingredients to help maintain oral health. Well, one of the most important ingredients to look for when choosing toothpaste for cavities is fluoride.

Various studies have found that fluoride is effective in preventing caries and plaque buildup on teeth. This is because fluoride helps protect and strengthen the tooth enamel layer. In addition, fluoride can also help remineralize teeth that have started to decay. That way, the decay will not get worse and the formation of holes in the teeth can be avoided.

You don't need to hesitate to use toothpaste that contains fluoride. The use of fluoride in toothpaste has been declared safe by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dentists all over the world, including in Indonesia, also use this material a lot for dental care products. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) says that all toothpaste they accept must contain fluoride.

There are many forms of fluoride that often appear on toothpaste packaging labels. However, some of the most common forms include sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluoride, and stannous fluoride.

2. Check other active ingredients

Apart from fluoride, it is also important to know the various other active ingredients contained in your toothpaste. Here are some of the most common active ingredients in toothpaste for cavities.

• Abrasive agent. This compound plays a role in helping remove food residue, bacteria, and stains from your teeth. Examples of abrasive agents in toothpaste products are calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gel, hydrated aluminum oxide, magnesium carbonate, phosphate salts and silicates.
• Humectant. Active ingredients that function to maintain the texture of toothpaste so that it remains moist and does not dry out quickly. The humectant ingredients in toothpaste consist of glycerol, propylene glycol and sorbitol.
• Thickener like mineral colloids, seaweed colloids , or synthetic cellulose. This ingredient is added to toothpaste dough to create a distinctive texture.
• Detergent. The detergent in toothpaste works to create foam when you brush your teeth. Foam itself is needed to help remove plaque and food debris that sticks to the surface and between the teeth. Examples of detergents in toothpaste products are sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate.

Toothpaste for cavities also contains artificial flavorings from fruit extracts. Usually, this artificial flavor addition is specifically for children's toothpaste products. The goal is of course to attract children so they want to be more diligent in brushing their teeth. The fruit extracts that are most often added to children's toothpaste products are strawberries, oranges, pineapples, apples, and grapes.

Likewise with toothpaste products for adults. There are also added artificial flavors from essential oil extracts such as peppermint, lemon, cinnamon, and others. These various additional ingredients are effective in providing a refreshing sensation after brushing your teeth.

Unfortunately, not everyone is suitable for using toothpaste that contains herbal ingredients. For sensitive people, adding herbal ingredients can actually cause an allergic reaction or irritation in the mouth.

3. Avoid toothpaste that contains irritants

When choosing toothpaste, try to check one by one the list of active ingredients listed on the packaging of each product.

It is important to note that a number of active ingredients in toothpaste have been reported as allergens or irritants. Some of them include:

• Citric acid (often listed as zinc or potassium citrate)
• Triclosan
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Propylene glycol
• PEG-8, PEG-12, PEG-1450
• Cocamidopropyl betaine
• Parabens
• Pyrophosphate

The most typical sign if you have a toothpaste allergy is the appearance of sores or canker sores in the mouth. Whether it's in the cheeks, tongue, gums, lips, to the roof of the mouth. The lips also become red, itchy, and feel sore.

That is why always check carefully the ingredients contained in the toothpaste product that you are going to buy. Make sure the toothpaste product you choose does not contain dangerous ingredients or that can trigger an allergic reaction.

4. Choose a product that is sealed with a reputable organization

If you want to use toothpaste for cavities, choose a product that has a seal from a reputable organization. Examples such as the American Dental Association (ADA) or the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI)

This seal shows that the toothpaste you are using is safe and effective for protecting your teeth as well as removing stains on your teeth.

It's a good idea to also consult your dentist before using toothpaste products for cavities. If needed, the doctor can prescribe a special toothpaste that is not usually sold commercially in the market.