Some Toothpastes Can Harm Your Teeth

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The Toothpaste You Are Using May Be Wearing Away Your Teeth, Especially At The Gum Line! The Use Of “Grit” In Toothpaste Is Not Unlike The Use Of Grit On Sandpaper. The More Grit There Is The More Effective It Is At Removing External Stain And Plaque. Unfortunately, A Significant Downside Is The Destruction Of Tooth Structure.

There Is An Abrasive Index For Toothpastes Called The RDA Index (Relative Dentin Abrasivity). The Higher The Value, The More Abrasive. At Or Below 70 Is An Acceptable Balance Between Benefit And Risk. RDA’s Over 100 May Eventually Cause The Loss Of Tooth Structure And Sensitivity.  The Combination Of High RDA, Frequency Of Brushing, Type Of Toothbrush And Brushing Technique Will All Contribute To Abrasion. If You Don’t Know The RDA Of Your Toothpaste, You May Find Out By Calling The Consumer Contact Information On The Package. The Following List Gives The RDA Index Of Several Of The Many Types Of Toothpaste That Exist Today.

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Recommendations:

Avoid Toothpastes From The Bottom Of This List. Long Term Use Of Such Toothpastes Will Wear Down Your Teeth.  Use Soft Or Extra Soft Toothbrushes.  Pay Attention To The Pressure You Place On Your Toothbrush And/Or Switch To A Sonic Toothbrush (I.E. Sonicare). If The Toothbrush Bristles Look Mashed Down, You Are Brushing Way Too Hard. The Bristles On Your Old Toothbrush Should Look Just As Parallel As On A New Toothbrush. Change Your Toothbrush Every 3 Months.  Sonic Toothbrushes Work Best With Light Pressure During Brushing Allowing The Sonic Action To Do The Work.  Using Stiff Brushes Or Placing Heavy Pressure Is Bad For The Teeth And May Also Cause Gum Recession And Tooth Sensitivity.  Don’t Brush Hard, Use A Sonic Toothbrush With A Soft Brush And Low Grit Toothpaste And Your Teeth And Gums Will Thank You.

Dr. Robert A. Gallegos Is A Fellow In The Academy Of General Dentistry, Visiting Faculty At Spear Education, Alumnus Of Pankey Institute, A Member The American Academy Of Cosmetic Dentistry, The American Academy Of Dental Sleep Medicine And The American Dental Association.  Dr. Gallegos Practices Dentistry In Middleburg, VA.  Www.MiddleburgSmiles.Com.

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