Classification of toothpastes: therapeutic and prophylactic, hygienic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial

Maintaining cleanliness of the oral cavity it is necessary to protect teeth and gums, but it is important to use high-quality, effective products.

The assortment of pastes in dentistry is huge.

Choosing the right product is a difficult task, but there is a classification of toothpastes that allows you to understand the existing varieties and make the best choice.

Ulitovsky classification

There is a classification developed by the professor and doctor of medical sciences in the field of dentistry S. B. Ulitovsky.

The following photo shows an improved classification of Ulitovsky:

Hygienic Pastes (1st Generation)

Simple in composition, freshen breath, resist inflammatory processes, prevent or slow down the occurrence caries. They are the first generation of formulations. They also help reduce sensitivity tooth enamel. Hygienic toothpastes have 2 functions:

• freshen breath;
• cleanse tooth enamel from the accumulated plaque (soft).

The composition contains abrasive and foaming components. To provide a deodorant effect, various flavors or aromas are used.

Example: Forest balm, Colgate, Lakalut, New pearls.

Treatment-and-prophylactic (3 groups, 2-5 generations)

In the composition of therapeutic and prophylactic toothpastes, in addition to popular elements, there are biologically active additives: vitamins, extracts and others. They are used both for daily oral care for preventive and hygienic purposes, and for the prevention of dental caries, diseases periodontium, non-carious lesions, diseases mucous the shell of the oral cavity.

Ulitovskiy divided the therapeutic and prophylactic assortment into 3 groups.

The first is simple pastes (2nd generation). They are divided into several types:

1. Abrasive. Abrasive pastes contain special components that can improve the quality of whitening or protecting teeth from caries. Complex products can combine several properties - have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, protect against caries and at the same time bleach enamel, strengthen it. They can be intended for daily use (1-2 times a day) or course (1 time in 2-3 days, the rest of the time, conventional formulations are used). Examples: Colgate Propolis Whitening.
2. Anti-carious. Can not only eliminate or slow down processes destruction tooth enamel, but also restore the health of the oral cavity. Plaque and other deposits are less formed. Inflammation and pain can also be eliminated by using this type of care. Many brands have anti-caries drugs, such as Colgate, Agua-fresh, Blend-a-Med.
3. Anti-inflammatory. They have antiseptic properties, slow down the process of plaque formation and formation dental calculus. This type is used for prevention and treatment. inflammation and gum disease, accompanied by bleeding. Sensitivity of teeth to hot and cold due to the use of anti-inflammatory toothpastes, it is reduced. Example: Blend-a-Med Complete.
4. Against hypersensitivity. They are the main ones in the process of therapeutic effects on weak enamel. The composition contains a high content calcium. As a result, it is possible to get rid of the increased sensitivity of the teeth, to strengthen and protect the teeth. The painful sensations and the associated discomfort disappear. Example: MEXIDOL® dent Sensitive, LACALUT Extra Sensitiv.

The second group - complex combined pastes (3rd and 4th generation). They have an improved composition (vitamins are present, the main component is strengthened - fluorine, calcium). They are used to carry out hygienic treatment of the oral cavity and preventative effects.

Combined compound mixtures for teeth are divided into:

• anti-caries;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antifungal;
• against plaque formation;
• against hypersensitivity;
• whitening;
• abrasive (for smokers);
• antimicrobial.

The third group - complex complex (5th generation). The main area of ​​work is rendering curative impact.

Ulitovsky divided complex complex pastes into the following types:

• anti-caries and anti-inflammatory;
• anti-caries and antisense;
• anti-caries and whitening;
• anti-caries and antiplak;
• anti-caries and abrasive;
• anti-inflammatory and anti-plaque;
• anti-inflammatory and anti-sensitizing;
• anti-caries, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-plaque.

Other classifications

In the main direction

Pastes can be classified according to the main direction:

• affecting the enamel (mineralization);
• prevention dental calculus;
• whitening;
• for sensitive teeth.

According to the main action, medicinal pastes are also distinguished, which are not separately presented in the classification of Ulitovsky. They are used for the treatment process when a person has serious problems in the field of dentistry (the development of caries, severe inflammatory processes, diseases of the gums, mucous membranes).

By composition

In terms of composition, natural (with plant extracts, most often hygienic care) and with special substances (triclosan, chlorhexidine) - the therapeutic focus of the formulations (elimination of microbes, inflammation).

In addition, pasty products are:

• with abrasives (whitening);
• with fluorides (therapeutic, prophylactic and hygienic);
• calcium-containing;
• antibacterial (medicinal, intended to eliminate the consequences stomatitis, periodontitis or gingivitis).

Foaming agents and thickeners may also be present in the composition - they prevail in products for daily use.

In addition, there is gelatinous options that are characterized by a softer effect on the enamel.

By way of application

There are several ways to use toothpastes:

• daily use for hygienic and preventive purposes;
• single use (treatment);
• use after a certain period of time (treatment or whitening).

Application intervals are determined after consultation with a physician. The bleaching process is carried out by exposing plaque and enamel to abrasive components (hard particles). If you apply such formulations daily, the teeth will become hypersensitive, various diseases will arise, and the likelihood of caries formation will increase.

For daily hygiene procedures, mild agents are suitable. They must gently remove impurities on the enamel, create protection of teeth from caries. If additional bleaching is required, then it is better to give preference to special gels, which do not contain hard abrasive particles, but fluoride is present. It additionally contributes to the destruction of pathogenic microflora that forms in the oral cavity (on the gums or mucous membranes).

Products for single or periodic use include other types of products, including whitening, medicinal, and helping to eliminate various dental diseases. Their use is assigned at a special rate. In most cases, he assumes that the product will be used no more than 1-2 times a week.

Varieties of children's toothpastes

Means for fragile children's teeth should be chosen based on their age. Subdivided baby compositions for 3 types:

1. For children from 0-4 years old - soft in composition and effect, without fluoride, without abrasive components (index less than 20). An example is Rocks, namely R.O.C.S. PRO Baby.
2. 4-8 years - the effect is mild, there is a small amount of fluorine and few abrasive elements. Example - R.O.C.S. Kids Berry fantasy.
3. 8-14 years - the fluorine content rises, there are few abrasive substances (index up to 50). An example is Lacalut Teens 8+.