Dr. Rachana Bhama Smile Care, Bandra What is a tooth paste? Tooth paste is a mixture of different ingredients that together form a paste or gel which when used with toothbrush, aids in cleaning teeth and gums. What is a tooth paste made of? Toothpaste has a few basic ingredients like : â€Abrasive agent: forms bulk of toothpaste. Helps to polish tooth by eliminating tartar and soft deposits as well as food particles stuck on tooth and external stains. â€Humectant: the substance that prevents drying of toothpaste and maintains wetness. â€Sweetening agent: added to make the paste suitable for use in mouth. â€Flavoring agent: nullifies any obnoxious taste or smell due to other ingredients. Commonly used flavor is mint due to its refreshing taste, but nowadays a variety of other flavors are available. â€Binding agent: binds all ingredients of the paste to a single mass. â€Antiseptic agent: eliminates plaque forming microbes. Triclosan is an example of antiseptic agent that kills germs. â€Surfactant: these agents help reduce surface tension and increase ability of the paste to spread, increasing the cleaning of tooth surfaces. Also, lathering property of the paste is attributed to these agents. Researchers have observed that some of these agents cause oral ulcers or allergies and hence replaced by other group of compounds. â€Sequestering agent: a tartar control agent, also acts as buffer and emulsifier. â€Titanium dioxide/ hydrated silica/food colors: titanium dioxide gives characteristic white color to the opaque pastes. Gel toothpastes have hydrated silica giving the â€gel’ consistency. Food colors give array of colors we see in colorful pastes/gels. For specific use, depending on individual needs a few other ingredients may be added: â€Fluorides: compounds of fluoride are known to strengthen enamel by remineralization and making teeth more resistant to acids produced by bacteria. Stannous fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate are commonly used fluoride compounds. â€Potassium nitrate: used as desensitizing agent that blocks unpleasant sensations from reaching dental pulp. â€Sodium carbonate peroxide/ Hydrogen peroxide: toothpastes claiming to whiten your teeth usually have this ingredient. â€Sodium bicarbonate: this is added to enhance taste and increase foam. â€Herbal ingredients: these ingredients claim to be hypoallergenic due to presence of natural ingredients instead of chemicals. What you actually need in a tooth paste is a combination of the basic ingredients used in moderation. Depending on your dental condition, you may use toothpastes with different active ingredients. Some individuals are allergic to or develop oral ulcers due to tooth paste ingredients. They should consult an oral health care provider immediately. Pastes for therapeutic purposes should be used under supervision only. Never swallow tooth pastes, and use a small pea sized quantity for brushing. Choosing the right tooth paste and using optimal quantity with a correct brushing technique will give you an enhanced, long lasting bright smile.
Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
