Toothpaste Is Good For My Teeth, Right?
Is Good For My Teeth, Right?
Toothpaste is a combination of flavor, medication (usually fluoride) and sand or grit. It is the grit in toothpaste that causes the abrasive damage. Recent research using a ‘brushing machine’ showed that brushing without toothpaste does not cause any wear problem. (Dzakovich JJ: In vitro reproduction of the non-carious cervical lesion. American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, February 2006) The addition of toothpaste results in deep lesions along the cervical area of teeth. The type of toothpaste did not seem to matter, as almost all toothpastes are abrasive.
The pattern of the wear and the intensity of the brushing accounts for the varied contours of the lesions. In general the lesions are wedge-shaped with sharp line angles. So now what?
Toothpaste: It makes your mouth feel minty fresh but it may also be abrasive!
If you and your dentist agree that there are lesions on your teeth that may be caused by toothpaste, or excessive brushing forces combined with toothpaste it may be best to do a combination of the following:
- Use a soft bristled toothbrush and evaluate the wear of the bristles after two months of use. The bristles should not be splayed out from the handle of the brush. If they are, you are using too much force.
- Use very little toothpaste or just use mouth rinse or water when brushing. Your teeth will still get clean with proper brushing technique and flossing!
- Use an electric toothbrush that can sense how hard you are brushing and will alert you if excessive force is being used.
- Monitor whether you are clenching or grinding your teeth. Sometimes the person that you sleep with will be able to tell you if you are clenching or grinding your teeth at night
- Ask your dentist if they feel you are clenching or grinding your teeth
Our office is dedicated to helping you save your teeth and helping you to maintain a healthy mouth. We would be happy to answer your questions about dental care and health! Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. Our phone number is (970) 242-3635. Please visit us on Facebook (see Julie Gillis DDS PC) or call us if you have any questions or concerns. You can also email our office at jmgdds@qwestoffice.net for further information.