Your grandma must have known that when mixed with water to make a paste, baking soda works very well as a homemade toothpaste. In fact, before commercial toothpastes became widely available, people commonly used baking soda to brush their teeth.

Brushing with baking soda leaves the mouth feeling clean and fresh and the teeth feeling smooth and polished. But it does not offer the same protection for your teeth as some of the toothpastes currently available.

Many toothpastes on store shelves today can:

• Help control plaque and tartar buildup
• Prevent cavities
• Help make teeth less sensitive

Choose a toothpaste that meets your needs. For example, if you have a lot of tartar or plaque, choose a tartar-control toothpaste. If you want to protect your teeth from decay, buy an anti-cavity toothpaste that contains fluoride. If your teeth are sensitive, choose a toothpaste that is designed for sensitive teeth.

Choosing a toothpaste that has the seal of acceptance by the American Dental Association (ADA) is also a good idea. Having the ADA seal means that the product was submitted to the ADA for testing, and the ADA found it to be safe and effective. It also shows that the product does what the manufacturer says it does. Products without the ADA seal are not necessarily inferior, but the seal lets you know that the product has been tested and has met certain ADA standards.

Also, choose a toothpaste that tastes and feels good to you. If you like the way your toothpaste tastes and feels, you are more likely to brush more often and for a longer time. This will help you to maintain healthy teeth and gums.