By As we all know, good oral hygiene is essential for healthy teeth and gums and an important component to this is the toothpaste you use. Of course, you need a suitable toothbrush, floss and antiseptic mouthwash and regarding your choice of toothpaste, the following ingredients should be found in a quality toothpaste.
- Natural Herbs – The herbs that are beneficial to oral health are parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, as mentioned in the Simon & Garfunkel song, Scarborough Fair. Parsley and rosemary are known to have good anti-bacterial properties, which is why these herbs are added to help keep your breath fresh, while sage is great for soothing sore throats and dental abscesses. Thyme is also anti-bacterial.
- Aloe Vera – This amazing tropical plant is full of health benefits and it is known that aloe vera destroys harmful bacteria that is found in the oral cavity. If you were to ask any dentist, they will gladly confirm that aloe vera is very good for oral health. They probably even have toothpaste with aloe vera for sale to their patients. Next time you are at your dentist, perhaps even at a Sydney emergency dentist, you could ask for recommendations for toothpaste, as the professional knows the best brands.
- Tea Tree Oil – The Aborigines made good use of tea tree oil as a beneficial health medicine for many centuries, as the oil has amazing healing properties. When added to toothpaste, this improves the product’s ability to kill harmful bacteria. The use of toothpaste with tea tree oil is believed to reduce the amount of plaque that sticks to the tooth enamel, while also helping to promote fresh breath.
- Coconut Oil – While evidence is only just emerging, it does look like coconut oil is very good for your teeth and gums, with studies that show less plaque accumulating when using coconut oil.
- Fluoride – This natural element is naturally found in tooth enamel and it is attacked by the harmful bacteria in the mouth. While fluoride is naturally replenished in your diet, toothpaste with fluoride boosts your body’s ability to produce the minerals your teeth needs. Most popular toothpastes contain fluoride, which is recommended by health organisations around the world, so do make sure that your favourite brand of toothpaste contains fluoride.
- Sodium Bicarbonate – Studies show that sodium bicarbonate aids in the removal of plaque during the brushing action and many brands of toothpaste contain small traces of sodium bicarbonate.
- Mint – A natural herb, essence of mint is often added to toothpaste to freshen the breath, while mint also helps to kill harmful oral bacteria. There are many additives that can be used to give toothpaste a better taste, and mint is just one example, while other flavours include fruits such as orange, lemon or even grape.
The Internet is full of free resources regarding all aspects of oral hygiene, and the brand of toothpaste you use should contain some or all of the above ingredients, which will reduce the risk of tooth decay and cavities, while also promoting fresh breath.
