Why Is Brushing With Toothpaste Important?
Brushing with toothpaste is important for several reasons. First and foremost, a toothpaste and a correct brushing action work to remove the plaque that causes caries, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss if not controlled.

Second, toothpaste contains fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralisation, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage can even be seen.

Third, special ingredients in toothpaste 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.

What's in a Toothpaste?
Toothpastes contain abrasives, detergents, and foaming agents. Fluoride, the most common active ingredient in toothpaste, is what prevents cavities. So you should always be sure your toothpaste contains this ingredient. About one in 10 people has a tendency to accumulate tartar quickly. Using anti-tartar toothpastes may slow the development of new tartar.

If you have teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold, and pressure, you may want to try a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth. But  you'll still need to talk to your dentist about your sensitivity because it may indicate a more serious problem, such as a cavity or nerve inflammation.

What Is Fluoride, And Why Is It Good For My Teeth?
Fluoride is a compound of the element fluorine, which is found universally throughout nature in water, soil, air and in most foods. Existing abundantly in living tissue as an ion, fluoride is absorbed easily into tooth enamel, especially in children's growing teeth. Once teeth are developed, fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralisation, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage is even visible. "Systemic" fluoride is ingested when added to public and private water supplies, soft drinks and teas, and is available in dietary supplement form. Once systemic fluoride is absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract, the blood supply distributes it throughout the entire body. Most fluoride not excreted is deposited in bones and hard tissues like teeth.

An exposure to fluoride (such as that contained in toothpastes and municipal water supplies) is probably the most effective anti-cavity treatment available today. Dental researchers have shown that just introducing fluoride into a (previously unfluoridated) city's drinking water supply can reduce its inhabitants' rate of tooth decay between 40 and 70 percent.

How does fluoride help to prevent tooth decay?
Fluoride combats the formation of tooth decay primarily in three ways:

1) Fluoride promotes the remineralisation of a tooth.
Fluoride has been found to enhance the tooth remineralisation process. Fluoride found in saliva will adsorb on to the surface of a tooth where demineralisation has occurred (tooth decay formation). The presence of this fluoride in turn attracts other minerals (such as calcium), thus resulting in the formation of new tooth mineral.

2) Fluoride can make a tooth more resistant to the formation of tooth decay.
Amazingly, the new tooth mineral that is created by the remineralisation process in the presence of fluoride is actually a "harder" mineral compound than existed when the tooth initially formed.

3) Fluoride can inhibit oral bacteria's ability to create acids.
It's been discovered that fluoride decreases the rate at which the bacteria that live in dental plaque can produce acid. This is because fluoride can enter a bacterium and disrupt its ability to metabolise sugars. The less sugar the bacteria can consume, the less acidic waste which will be produced and participate in the demineralisation process (tooth decay formation).

Can I get too much fluoride?
In general, the use of fluoride is considered safe unless it's misused or over-concentrated. Drinking excessively fluoridated water can cause dental fluorosis, a harmless cosmetic discolouring or mottling of the enamel, visible by chalky white specks and lines or pitted and brown stained enamel on developing teeth.

Avoid swallowing toothpaste, mouth rinses or other topical supplements, check with your dentist on proper dosage, and be careful not to accidentally take too much. If you are concerned about the fluoride levels in your drinking water, call the local public water department. If the source is a private well, request a fluoride content analysis taken via a water sample through your local health department.

Are children more sensitive to fluoride?
Children are more vulnerable to dental fluorosis because their developing teeth are sensitive to higher fluoride levels. They are at greater risk if they swallow or use too much toothpaste and fluoride supplements, or regularly drink water containing excessive fluoride levels. You should monitor your child's fluoride intake and use of fluoride. Always consult with your family dentist if you need advice.