If you're interested in buying an all natural toothpaste then you obviously show concern about your oral and overall health - way to go! Oral health is widely misunderstood and poorly practiced by many. Natural toothpastes can do just as good of a job as the average commercial toothpaste, but its important to pick the one that is best for your mouth. To do this it's important to first fully understand the unwanted processes that can occur in the oral cavity. Toothpastes are typically designed to treat a few important dental conditions. The four most targeted conditions are plaque and tartar, cavities, staining or discoloration, and sensitivity.
PLAQUE & TARTAR -
Every mouth has bacteria living in it and it's not possible to rid yourself completely of these micro-organisms. These bacteria produce a sticky substance that helps them attach to the surface of your teeth. Once attached they try their best to survive and multiply. They eat whatever is available to them so the foods you eat, sugars in particular, have a big impact on how well the bacteria are able to increase in numbers. Until brushed away, these microscopic colonies continue to grow and lay down their protective scaffolding, becoming what is called a biofilm. This is plaque, the fuzzy stuff you can feel on your teeth shortly after eating a candy bar. Some bacteria are more harmful than others and if you encourage plaque's growth, these more threatening bugs can begin to dominate the tiny civilizations established in your oral cavity. If the plaque is never removed it can absorb the minerals in your saliva and eventually calcify into a hard substance commonly called tartar or calculus. This stuff is even harder to remove and usually requires assistance from your dentist.
The bacteria embedded in plaque or tartar don't actually eat your teeth, but they produce acid that breaks down tooth structure and leads to decay. The bacteria in your mouth can also cause an inflammatory response in your gums causing bleeding, bad breath, and pain (what your dentist calls gingivitis). Tartar can also form on the surfaces of your teeth just beneath your gums and eventually causes the bone, ligaments, and other structures supporting your teeth to diminish. This condition, called periodontal disease, can continue for years without noticeable symptoms. In severe cases, dental patients aren't aware of the problem until their teeth become loose and begin falling out. Plaque must be removed for proper oral hygiene and preferably before it hardens into tartar. Natural toothpastes can aid in this process.
CAVITIES -
As mentioned above, decay is caused by the acid-producing bacteria living in the plaque that forms on your teeth. Bacteria will thrive where they can avoid the bristles of your toothbrush so most decay is found in the grooves on your tooth's chewing surfaces or between your teeth. Even the best toothbrushes and flossing techniques can't reach some of these places. It's important to understand that your teeth are being attacked by bacterial products shortly after you put your toothbrush down. The good news is that if your teeth are demineralized they can absorb minerals from your saliva and become remineralized. In fact, your teeth are in a constant cycle of demineralization and remineralization. If demineralization wins out, the soft and demineralized areas can eventually cavitate or get so deep that a filling is necessary. Natural toothpastes contain ingredients that help fight cavities.
STAINING OR DISCOLORATION -
There are numerous ways that your teeth can become discolored and toothpastes can help with a few of those processes. Sometimes your teeth pick up external staining from food and other substances we allow in our mouths. Coffee and tea are two very common causes for such superficial staining. These stains are easily removed by your dentist or an abrasive toothpaste. Most people also experience a deeper kind of discoloration or yellowing of their teeth that naturally happens over time. Certain substances (like cigarette smoke or strong teas) can accelerate the yellowing process, but these stains can't simply be scrubbed away. In this case, whitening agents, some of which can be found in toothpastes, must be applied to your teeth to brighten your smile.
SENSITIVITY -
Teeth can experience sensitivity for many different reasons and you should discuss your specific case with your dentist if it's a real problem. Often, sensitivity is caused by the recession of gum tissues which exposes the root surface of your tooth. Your root does not have the protective covering of enamel found on the crown of your tooth and stimuli such as hot or cold can more easily trigger the nerves in your teeth with a pain response. There are several toothpaste ingredients that aid in sensitivity issues.
An understanding of common oral health issues will help in selecting a proper toothpaste. Spend some time trying to understand the various ingredients that are included in the typical toothpaste and how natural toothpastes differ. There are countless options available today and you're bound to find one that fits your specific needs.
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