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Choosing the Right Toothpaste for Your Douglasville Smile

Choosing a toothpaste for you and your family isn’t as easy as it used to be. With so many options to pick from, how do you know if you’re using the right toothpaste? From fluoride to tartar control, whitening to easing tooth sensitivity, the multitude of options is confusing. But don’t worry, the Douglasville dental office of Dr. Jim Williams wants to go back to the basics and explain what you should look for.

When choosing a toothpaste for you and your family, you should first narrow your search by looking for products with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. The ADA seal means that the product is safe and it does what it claims it will do. ADA approved toothpastes have undergone clinical studies by the association and the claims, whether it’s cavity fighting or tartar control, are backed by scientific findings.

Besides looking for the ADA’s approval, the most important component of a toothpaste is the ingredient fluoride. Fluoride has been proven to protect tooth enamel from decay and is crucial to maintain a healthy gums and teeth. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, brushing with a fluoride toothpaste twice daily can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40%.

In addition to fluoride as a key ingredient to the best toothpastes, flavor is also important. While there are no real clinical benefits to certain flavors over others, it is important to like the flavor of your chosen toothpaste to encourage brushing twice a day.

Whether you choose a cavity fighting, tartar controlling spearmint toothpaste or opt for one that helps with sensitivity, using the right toothpaste is only part of maintaining a healthy mouth.

While using a fluoride infused toothpaste twice a day is a great at-home routine, it’s also very important to keep up with regularly scheduled professional cleanings and checkups. The Douglasville dental office of Dr. Jim Williams can help get your smile back to health and keep it that way. If you’re due for a checkup or dental cleaning, give us a call today to schedule your appointment.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush in Douglasville

Walking down the toothbrush aisle at the local supermarket can be an overwhelming experience –  especially if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for. When choosing the right toothbrush for your smile, there are a few important characteristics to take into consideration other than simply your favorite color or the one that’s on sale. At the dental office of Dr. Jim Williams, we want to go back to the basics and discuss a few of the things you should look for when buying your next toothbrush.

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your toothbrush is a good starting point when choosing the ideal toothbrush for you. The head of the toothbrush should easily fit into your mouth without any strain or discomfort. The toothbrush should also fit comfortably in your hand and should feel as natural as holding a fork.

Bristles

The bristles of your toothbrush are also important and should be taken into consideration. While many people tend to think that harder bristles will be better for cleaning teeth, it is, in fact, the opposite. Hard bristles can irritate the gums and even damage teeth. Our dental office in Douglasville prefers and recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes.

Manual or Powered?

According to the American Dental Association, both manual and powered toothbrushes are effective and thorough at cleaning your teeth. However, some individuals have difficulty using a manual toothbrush to successfully reach all areas of the mouth and find that powered toothbrushes are easier and more comfortable.
Whether you decide on manual or powered, it’s ultimately more important to make sure that your toothbrush is easy to use and that you’re comfortable with it. Dr. Jim Williams also recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day and to visit our Douglasville dental office regularly for professional cleanings and exams.