How to choose a toothpaste

These days, you may feel overwhelmed by the types of toothpaste available at your grocery store or pharmacy. Just remember: The best toothpaste for you is the one you like well enough to use every day.

Of course, you can buy a few different types for variety, or to suit the tastes and needs of your family members. Today, there are toothpastes to meet the oral care needs of virtually everybody, and you can't really go wrong with any toothpaste that has the seal of the American Dental Association.

That said, some toothpastes do offer specific benefits in addition to cleaning teeth. Some specialty types of toothpaste include:

• Antimicrobial. Antimicrobial toothpastes may contain stannous fluoride, an antibacterial agent that also provides anti-cavity and sensitivity benefits.
• Tartar control. Tartar-control toothpastes may contain sodium pyrophosphate which helps to keep tartar from forming on teeth or better yet, sodium hexametaphosphate, which helps prevent tartar and stain, above the gum line. But if you already have stubborn tartar, tartar control toothpaste won't remove it-you'll need a professional cleaning from your dental hygienist.
• Whitening. Whitening toothpastes contain chemical or abrasive ingredients to help remove and/or prevent stains from forming on the teeth. When used regularly, whitening toothpastes can reduce the appearance of stains and make your teeth look whiter.