Go down the aisles at the store and there are rows and rows of toothpastes.  More toothpastes cause more confusion.  Brushing with toothpaste (also called a "dentifrice") is important for several reasons.  First and foremost, toothpaste and a correct brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful film of bacteria that grows on your teeth that causes caries (decay), gum disease, and eventual tooth loss if not controlled. Second, the toothpaste contains fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage can even be seen.  Third, special ingredients in the dentifrice help to clean and polish the teeth and remove stains over time. Fourth, toothpastes help freshen breath and leave your mouth with a clean feeling.

I know it can be confusing, but if you don’t have any specific needs, as long as your toothpaste contains fluoride, the brand you buy really does not matter.  It doesn’t matter whether or not it is in paste, gel, or even powder form, or containing a certain flavor.  All fluoride dentifrices work effectively to fight plaque and cavities and clean and polish tooth enamel.

There are however toothpastes that contain a variety of ingredients geared toward specific needs (more confusion!).  If your teeth are hypersensitive to hot or cold, consider trying toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.  Dentifrices containing baking soda and/or hydrogen peroxide (which are both good cleansing agents) give the teeth and mouth a clean, fresh, pleasant feeling that can offer an incentive to brush more, but fluoride is the true active ingredient at work protecting your teeth.  Some prefer tartar control toothpaste to prevent the buildup of soft calculus deposits on their teeth.  New pastes offer advanced whitening formulas aimed at safely removing stains to make teeth brighter and shinier, although they can't nearly match the effectiveness of a professional bleaching formula administered or prescribed by a dentist.

To clear up some of the confusion about toothpaste, I thought it would help to give you a list of some of the most common ingredients and how they help:

• Fluoride - Fluoride acts topically - protects teeth by hardening the outer enamel surface, making teeth less susceptible to decay.  Will not remove current decay.
• Desensitizing - Strontium chloride, potassium nitrate protects exposed dentin by blocking the tubes in the teeth that are connected to nerves.  Must use the product for several weeks before any therapeutic effects are felt.
• Whitening - Hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide and abrasive ingredients may lighten and/or remove certain stains from enamel. After prolonged use, may experience gum irritation or increased sensitivity.  Not all teeth will "whiten" the same way. Will not work on all stains.
• Tartar-control - Sodium pyrophosphate Ingredient adheres to tooth surface and prevents tartar formation above the gum.  Will not remove tartar.  Some patients may experience irritation to the gums with tartar control toothpastes. 
• Baking soda - Baking soda and mild abrasive cleans surface of teeth. No proven therapeutic value, excessive use may irritate gums.
• Antimicrobial - Triclosan helps remove bacteria that may cause gum disease. Will not remove or reduce existing gum disease.
• Note: All toothpastes are more effective after a dental cleaning, which allows the toothpaste ingredients to treat a clean surface.

I hope this has cleared up some of the confusion.  No matter what toothpaste you use, just be sure to brush!