Choosing a toothpaste

Fluoride matters most

For adults and children from six, choose a toothpaste with 1,000 to 1,500 ppm fluoride; most standard adult toothpastes are in this range. Children under six should use a low-fluoride children’s toothpaste (about 500 to 600 ppm), a pea-sized smear from 18 months. Stick to the age range printed on the packaging, and spit, don’t rinse.

How to use it

• Brush twice a day for two minutes with a pea-sized amount
• Spit out the excess but don’t rinse, so the fluoride keeps working
• Brushing last thing at night is the most important one

Sensitive teeth

Toothpastes for sensitive teeth help most when used every day for a few weeks. You can also rub a little on sensitive areas before bed and leave it on.

Whitening toothpastes

These mostly remove surface stain rather than change the colour of the tooth, and some are quite abrasive. If you have bonding or veneers, a gentle, low-abrasion toothpaste helps keep the polish.

Higher-strength fluoride

If you are at higher risk of decay, I may prescribe a high-fluoride toothpaste. Use it only as directed and keep it away from children.