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Posted on 3/25/2020 by Dr. Brandon Cooley |
 Depending on how faithful you are to your tooth brushing every morning and evening, you squeeze out a portion of toothpaste on your brush and hope for the best. It is unlikely that most people know what the contents of toothpaste are, let alone why the toothpaste is made the way it is. Here is a rundown of the most common ingredients in toothpaste and why they are used, so next time when you are brushing your teeth, you know exactly what you are applying to them. FluorideThis by far the most common ingredient, regardless of the brand of toothpaste you use. This is because fluoride is ideal for the mineralization of bones and teeth. Fluoride has been used in toothpastes dating as far back as the invention of the first toothpaste containing fluorouracil. The danger with fluoride is that it must be in a very critical range to avoid causing discoloration of teeth. Fluoride is the single most important anti-decay component in toothpaste.HumectantsThese are ingredients in toothpaste that work to trap moisture. They prevent the drying up of the toothpaste and ensure that every time you squeeze, you get an even smooth mixture. Such examples are sorbitol, glycerol and glycol. AbrasivesThese are substances in toothpaste that function to ensure that the debris is actually removed from teeth when you brush your teeth. Abrasives have evolved over the years, from originally eggshells, to chemicals such as calcium carbonate and aluminum oxide. Abrasives are not the mainstay of toothpaste; they are, however, important for their abrasive role. Flavoring AgentsIf toothpaste smelled or tasted any different than it does, no one would use it. This explains the need for flavoring agents. The most typically used ones are saccharin and for children, when fruit flavored agents are ideal. When you want to find out what ingredients are best for you, call our dentists today. |
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