We use toothpaste every day to brush our teeth, but what actually goes into it to make it effective in cleaning our teeth? Here are the most common ingredients in toothpaste and their purposes.
To earn the ADA Seal of Acceptance, the toothpaste must contain fluoride. However, in addition to fluoride, toothpastes may contain other ingredients that lessen tooth sensitivity, reduce gingivitis or tartar build-up, or prevent enamel erosion; or that cosmetically affect the mouth such as whitening teeth or improving bad breath. Additionally, flavoring agents that cause or contribute to tooth decay such as sugar is not allowed in certified ADA toothpastes.
Toothpastes contain both active and inactive ingredients, with active ingredients helping to improve oral health.
Anticaries agents are fluoride-containing compounds in the form of sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluoride, or stannous fluoride in toothpastes. Fluoride strengthens teeth to help prevent tooth decay and remineralizes tooth enamel in the early stages of tooth decay.
Dental sensitivity is usually the result of a weakening of the tooth enamel or exposed tooth root. Weakened or thin tooth enamel can come from teeth grinding, decay, or abrasion that has worn down the enamel. Dentin hypersensitivity occurs in about 11.5% of patients which can be evaluated as tooth sensitivity to touch, temperature, and air current. The sensitivity toothpaste contains an ingredient that blocks the pain sensors that respond to heat, cold, and sugar, such as potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride, strontium chloride. When used regularly over time, the ingredients will help the nerves in your teeth build up a resistance to aggravators. However, the toothpaste needs to be used daily for a few weeks to be effective.
Toothpastes may include abrasive agents, such as modified silica abrasives or enzymes that help clean the teeth and may whiten teeth by physically removing surface stains. Examples include calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, hydrated aluminum oxides, magnesium carbonate, phosphate salts and silicates.
Additionally, detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate are used for foaming action that may increase the solubility of plaque and accretions on teeth during brushing.
Flavoring agents, and non-caloric sweeteners are common in toothpaste, though sugar or any other cariogenic ingredient is not permitted in any ADA-Accepted toothpaste. Toothpaste flavors typically come from sweetening agents, such as saccharin or sorbitol. Although these ingredients may taste sweet, toothpaste doesn't contain sugar, so it won't cause tooth decay.
Humectants, such as glycerol, propylene glycol and sorbitol, minimize water loss in the toothpaste. Thickening agents or binders such as mineral or seaweed colloids, natural gums, or synthetic cellulose may be included in toothpaste formulations to stabilize the product.
When used in whitening toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide gently removes common food stains on the enamel and can make a big difference when it comes to whitening your smile. Hydrogen peroxide works by removing extrinsic stains and intrinsic stains, as opposed to toothpastes that use high cleaning silica, which only removes surface stains on the outer layer of the teeth. Higher concentrations can speed up the whitening process, but are only used during in-office teeth whitening procedures administered by your dentist.
Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes with a soft bristled toothbrush!
Sources:
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/teeth-whitening/hydrogen-peroxide-toothpaste-four-common-questions Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board