Top 3 Toothpaste Recommendations
Sensodyne Pronamel for Sensitive Teeth, Mint Essence
Struggling to find the right toothpaste for your sensitive, aging teeth and gums?
Toothpaste Guidelines for Seniors and Elderly:
- Start by looking for toothpaste containing moisturizers to combat dry mouth and potassium nitrate to reduce sensitivity.
- Focus on easy-grip tubes with flip caps to make brushing easier if you have dexterity issues.
- Toothpaste in pump dispensers are easier if you have arthritis. This requires less grip strength than squeezing a tube.
- Consider peroxide-free whitening toothpaste to remove stains without harsh chemicals gently. Use toothpaste with fluoride to strengthen enamel and fight cavities.
- Choose a toothpaste free of sodium lauryl sulfate if you have sensitive gums or mouth sores. This ingredient can sometimes irritate.
- Look for toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This means the product has undergone rigorous testing to meet safety and effectiveness standards.
With the right toothpaste, you can reduce discomfort and keep your teeth and gums healthy as you age.
In this article, we’ll recommend the best toothpaste for seniors and the elderly to meet your specific needs.
The Best Toothpaste for the Elderly
Sensodyne Pronamel for Sensitive Teeth, Mint Essence
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This is a toothpaste specially designed to protect the tooth enamel from the negative effects of acid erosion.
The Pronamel formula is integrated with teeth-strengthening ingredients like calcium to help restore your teeth and reduce sensitivity.
When used two times a day, it can help re-harden and strengthen acid-weakened enamel, freshen breath, and fight cavities.
All in all, it’s a great toothpaste option for seniors with sensitive teeth, and it’s generally less abrasive compared to some other alternatives.
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Colgate has been a trusted brand in the dental hygiene industry for many years. This is a great product for the fact that it is specially formulated for sensitive teeth, and it contains ingredients that can soothe nerves.
It’s worth noting that sensitive teeth are sometimes an indication of a serious problem that should be checked and addressed by a dentist. Nonetheless, if the sensitivity or pain persists after 4 weeks of use, you should consult your dentist.
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The Crest 3D whitening toothpaste can gently remove surface stains caused by factors such as daily foods and beverages and also help prevent the development of cavities.
It contains fluoride, which should help strengthen weakened enamel and create an anti-cavity benefit through regular brushing. The Crest 3D comes with a strong minty flavor that’s designed to remove up to 80% of the surface stains.
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For those who are pro-peroxide, then this is one product to consider. It features a rapid-release variant of the whitening ingredient, along with sodium fluoride to help keep the enamel strong.
Unlike most of the other whitening products that whiten teeth on the surface, the Peroxide formula on this Rembrandt toothpaste is designed to get rid of stains under the surface.
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The Nu Skin AP-24 formula is designed to bind to the teeth’ enamel and create a protective coating that prevents the build-up of stains and plaque.
It’s worth noting that none of the ingredients in the formula are whitening in nature – they are only designed to prevent the build-up of stains.
What to Look for When Looking for the Best Toothpaste for Seniors
Here are some important features of toothpaste that you should consider for older adults:
Anti-Gingivitis Properties
Gum disease is a common dental ailment among seniors. It’s not a result of aging; rather, gum disease is often caused by the build-up of plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
Since gums are responsible for securing your teeth in your mouth, this disease could result in tooth loss. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and using a good toothpaste with anti-gingivitis properties can help reverse its progress.
Some of the signs and symptoms of gingivitis include soft, swollen, and puffy gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, receding gum line, change in the color of gums from pink to red, and bad breath.
If you suspect you or your loved one has gingivitis, you should try getting a toothpaste with anti-gingivitis properties.
Plus, you want to catch this problem as fast as possible before reaching the last, often irreversible stages of gum disease, periodontitis.
Whitening Agents
Having a pearly white smile can be a gateway to great confidence and solid oral health. However, as we age, teeth will naturally tend to become more discolored and stained.
This could be a result of many different causes, with coffee and smoking being some of the most popular culprits.
Moreover, the enamel (the outer protective layer of your teeth) thins over time, and as it fades, it exposes the dentin layer. Dentin is naturally yellow, which results in discoloration. Dentin also gets more discolored with time too.
Good whitening toothpaste will go a long way in helping you keep stains under wraps and effectively eliminate existing stains.
While whitening properties shouldn’t be the only consideration when choosing toothpaste for the elderly, it could certainly help them get a more brilliant smile and give their confidence levels a boost.
Fluoride Treatment
We often hear fluoride being mentioned in nearly every toothpaste ad, but what exactly does it do? Well, fluoride is a key ingredient when it comes to fighting cavities, which are the sticky bacteria films that cause teeth to decay.
And, yes, seniors should use a toothpaste with flouride.
Cavities are often associated with kids who like sugary sweets and routinely forget to brush their teeth after meals. However, it can affect seniors too.
Plaque, the sticky layer of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums throughout the day, can not only lead to bad breath but also tooth decay and gum disease in the long term for any age group.
Fluoride helps to get rid of the plaque and to rebuild the enamel.
Moisturizing Agents for Dry Mouth
Special dry mouth toothpaste products are widely available, and they can be helpful for seniors. Some medications can lead to decreased saliva production, which might lead to bad breath, discomfort, mouth sores, and trouble swallowing.
Saliva is also important for balancing the natural bacteria in your mouth to avoid tooth decay.
Toothpaste with moisturizing agents in its ingredients can be helpful and provide some relief. And with many seniors being on a variety of medications, these kinds of toothpaste can be beneficial.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right toothpaste for your personal needs can sometimes feel overwhelming while in the store. However, the list we’ve provided above should give you a solid head start. Otherwise, you can simplify the process by reading the package.
Of course, using the best toothbrush is an important part of improving a senior’s oral hygiene. For most seniors and the elderly, I recommend an electric toothbrush because they tend to get the job done better – and faster too.
Don’t forget to brush twice a day, floss once a day, and visit your dentist regularly.
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